Houston Controller, State Lawmaker Warn How Anti-Responsible Investing Legislation Will Harm Businesses, Pension Funds, and Family Finances
AUSTIN, TX — Today, Texas officials and experts warned about the unprecedented wave of more than 20 anti-responsible investing bills moving through the Republican-dominated state legislature this session. During a press event hosted by Unlocking America’s Future, speakers—including State Senator Molly Cook, Houston City Controller Chris Hollins, and Co-founder of Seeker Strategies Cliff Walker—underscored how these bills represent a coordinated assault on sound financial practices that would further damage Texas’ economy, harm businesses and families, and deliberately ignore significant economic risks.
“This wave of anti-responsible investing bills is dangerous for Texas families,” stated Senator Molly Cook. “By forcing financial institutions, pension funds, and businesses to ignore material financial risks, these bills could shrink the retirement savings of teachers, firefighters, and other public employees while leading to broader financial losses for Texas families and businesses. This isn’t about politics; it’s about Texans’ financial security and our state’s economic future.”
“These bills would place heavy economic burdens on Houston and communities across Texas,” said Houston City Controller Chris Hollins. “In effect, they act as a hidden tax on Texans—driving up costs and making it harder for cities like Houston to finance the roads, schools, and essential infrastructure our families rely on every day. They would also undermine the ability of local businesses to create jobs and fuel innovation for the future.”
“This legislation would lead us in exactly the opposite direction we need to go,” said Seeker Strategies Co-founder Cliff Walker. “Responsible investing helps create sustainable growth, good-paying jobs, and a more resilient Texas economy. By considering risks that affect long-term value, businesses and investors can make smarter decisions that benefit all Texans.”
“Lower costs for families, increased competitiveness, job creation, and proper risk management—these are the real benefits of responsible investing that these bills would undermine,” said Kyle Herrig, Spokesperson for Unlocking America’s Future. “Responsible investing creates new, good-paying jobs in one of the economy’s fastest-growing sectors, lowers costs for Texas families, and increases businesses’ competitiveness. We can’t afford to let political agendas stand in the way of Texas’ economic future.”
The anti-responsible investing bills advancing in Texas’ legislature operate on two levels—doubling down on existing anti-responsible investing measures that have already cost taxpayers and harmed retiree benefits, while expanding these attacks to control private company decisions. Together, these measures heighten financial risks for families, threaten state pension funds, and harm Texas’ ability to compete for future investment, industries, and jobs.
Speakers urged legislators to reject these harmful bills and instead focus on policies that strengthen Texas’ economic competitiveness and protect the financial security of all Texans.
More information about this legislation can be found here. To speak with a business leader or UAF spokesperson about this legislation, please email us at press@unlockingamericasfuture.org.
