Why The Texas Tribune Festival creates space for important conversations

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In a poll released this week by Texas Lyceum, only 37 percent of Texans “strongly agreed” that “democracy is the best form of government,” a decrease from 40 percent in 2019. In addition, a majority of Texans now say they’re at least somewhat dissatisfied with the way democracy is working in the U.S. These numbers hit hard. For some, they can have a numbing effect and convince us to turn further away from politics and the news. For others, however, news of such public opinion is a reminder of what’s at stake and fuels greater civic involvement.

The Texas Tribune Festival is one of the few places that provides a space for Texans who bring a desire to engage, a sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to the difficult work of democracy. Attendees bring views from across the political spectrum and the curiosity to consider views different from their own. And in 2024 — when many speculate about our collective future—our gathering with fellow civic leaders around politics, policy and the big ideas that shape that future matters even more.

We’re thrilled to announce 20 new speakers joining our conversation Sept. 5-7 in downtown Austin, including voting rights activist Stacey Abrams; Laura Barrón-López, White House correspondent for “PBS NewsHour”; Preet Bharara, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York; Former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, D-New Jersey, who’s now a managing director of Allen & Company; Anthea Butler, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania; state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake; George Conway, a contributor at The Atlantic; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; LaTonya Goffney, superintendent of the Aldine Independent School District; Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic; screenwriter and novelist Noah Hawley; former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-North Dakota, who’s now the director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics; U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington; Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly; state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford; U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin; Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief for USA Today; Katie Phang, host of “The Katie Phang Show” on MSNBC; Avik Roy, president of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity; and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth. These policymakers, journalists and thought leaders join the 40 other names already announced for this year’s TribFest.

When we gather in September, Election Day will be only two months away but a host of critical issues will be facing Texas’ future. There’ll be a great deal to talk about and reckon with, and a community of fellow civic leaders — both on the stage and off — ready to do the work that democracy calls us to do.

I hope you’ll join us for the conversation. Get your TribFest tickets today.

Disclosure: Texas Lyceum has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.