EDA News-Janurary 2026

Throughout 2025, EDA made meaningful progress. We clarified our mission and vision, reaffirmed our core values, and deepened our commitment to local education and advocacy. The Texas water initiative became a powerful example of why our work matters. As water challenges intensified in Texas, EDA helped elevate the issue, supported local advocacy, and contributed to efforts that led to a major statewide commitment to addressing long‑term water needs. It reminded us that resource stability is the foundation of thriving communities — for individuals, families, and businesses alike.

As the year unfolded, we also spent time reflecting on where we are as an organization and where we want to go. Those conversations helped shape the strategy for 2026. They gave us clarity about our strengths, our opportunities, and the work ahead. They also helped us build a solid foundation to bring to the Board — one that focuses on education, advocacy, coalition building, digital presence, fundraising, and strengthening our internal processes. We’ll be building committees to flesh out the actions and timeline for the critical few actions.

Now, as we enter 2026, we’re preparing to celebrate 10 years of EDA. This milestone is a moment to honor the members and founders who have been with us from the beginning — and to recognize how far we’ve come. But it’s also a moment to look forward. A decade in, we’re stepping into our identity as a movement - to find solutions based on sustainable water, food and energy for all. If you’re someone who cares about fairness and can see the long game, you’ll love what we’re building.

EDA moves into 2026 with gratitude, clarity,
and momentum — ready for the next chapter.
I encourage you to help us as we grow!

This victory is equally significant for Economic Democracy Advocates (EDA), because it stands as living proof of our mission, vision, and method. Proposition 4 shows what becomes possible when rigorous research informs clear public education, when education shapes practical legislation, and when legislation is carried by organized, values‑driven advocacy. In confronting the Texas water crisis, EDA’s integrated approach was tested in the real world — and it delivered. For EDA, this is proof in practice.

Just as important, we are not stopping at the ballot box. We’ve developed a new set of advocacy tools, playbooks, templates, messaging assets, data briefs, and engagement workflows so local leaders can move from awareness to action with confidence. And we continue working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with smaller cities and emerging communities to help them understand the new funding pathways, scope fundable projects, strengthen applications, and participate fully in the opportunities the Texas Water Fund now makes possible.

Together, we helped secure a policy outcome that will strengthen resilience, safeguard public health, and benefit Texans for decades. This is just the beginning. We invite every local leader, advocate, and community member to join us in turning this opportunity into lasting change.

The first day of a new year always carries a certain charge — a sense of possibility, responsibility, and renewal. Like many others, I used to greet January 1st with sweeping intentions to improve every corner of my life at once. But over time, I learned a lesson that reshaped how I approach change: a grand vision without thoughtful, measured steps remains only a vision.

Real, lasting change asks something deeper of us. It asks for commitment to the process of finding our team, building trust, and creating a blueprint we can return to again and again as we move toward a shared goal — one conversation, one plan and one coordinated action at a time.