Merrie Fox is a retired school principal with a PhD in Educational Leadership and 45 years of deep roots in the New Braunfels area. She raised her family here and has spent decades advocating for strong public schools at the local and state level. Merrie currently serves as Executive Director of Circle Arts Theatre and volunteers with New Braunfels Angels and Riverside Pride. Raised in a large extended family that valued hard work, education, and service, Merrie is committed to strengthening public schools, protecting the beautiful Texas Hill Country, and supporting families and communities across the district.
Q&A Responses
1. Workforce, education, and talent pipeline
Q: How will you support workforce development, career and technical education, and higher education funding so employers in House District 73 can find and retain skilled workers?
A: Maintaining a strong economy in House District 73 will require ensuring our education and training systems are aligned with the real workforce needs of our community and local employers. I will advocate for strong, sustained funding for public education, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in our public schools. These programs provide hands-on learning and industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields such as health sciences, agriculture, culinary arts, cybersecurity, graphic design, and law enforcement—preparing students to enter the workforce or continue their education with valuable, job-ready skills. I also strongly support the Texas State Technical College system, which has a campus in New Braunfels and plays a critical role in serving our fast-growing region. Continued investment in TSTC helps ensure employers have access to skilled graduates who are able to fulfill the demands of specific jobs. In addition, I will champion apprenticeships and paid, earn-and-learn programs that allow adults to gain new knowledge and skills without leaving the workforce, especially veterans, rural residents, and working parents. Finally, I will support community colleges, which are often more accessible both financially and logistically, as key partners in building a strong local workforce. By connecting education, training, and employers, we can help District 73 businesses find and retain skilled workers while families build stable, well-paid careers close to home.
2. Infrastructure, water, and growth capacity
Q: How will you advocate for state investment in transportation, broadband, and water infrastructure so communities and businesses in House District 73 can grow sustainably?
A: Handling the challenges of growth in House District 73 will require state investment in transportation, broadband, and water infrastructure, keeping both our economy and our quality of life in mind. New Braunfels and surrounding communities are growing fast, and that growth is straining roads, increasing traffic and safety concerns, and exposing gaps in pedestrian, bicycle, and transit options. I will advocate for funding through the 2026 Unified Transportation Program to support the expansion of I-35 and priority roadway projects in HD 73, while also pushing for solutions that reduce congestion without sacrificing our environment or community character. As a designated small urban area, New Braunfels qualifies for federal transit funding, and I support programs like Ride the Rio to relieve congestion now and help it grow into a fixed-route public transportation system over time. Reliable water infrastructure is just as critical, especially given that New Braunfels boasts a $1B tourism industry that is largely dependent on water availability. The Legislature committed $1B to upgrading water infrastructure throughout the state, and I will advocate for a continued focus on making these improvements. This work will require collaboration with scientists, engineers, local leaders, and neighboring counties to assess our challenges, protect our resources, and plan responsibly for the future. Finally, I will advocate for continued investment from the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund and the Texas Broadband Development Office, leveraging voter-approved BIF funds and federal BEAD dollars to expand reliable broadband, upgrade 9-1-1 systems, and ensure businesses and families across HD 73 can stay connected and competitive.
3. Regulatory certainty and business climate
Q: How will you balance consumer and environmental protections with clear, predictable regulations so businesses in House District 73 can plan, invest, and create jobs with confidence?
A: Balancing strong consumer and environmental protections with clear, predictable regulations starts with rejecting the idea that we have to choose one or the other. In House District 73, we can protect people and the beautiful Hill Country while providing businesses the certainty they need to grow and create jobs. I support science-based, transparent standards that protect public health, water, land, and consumers and that are applied consistently. Clear rules, reasonable timelines, and fair enforcement allow businesses to plan and invest with confidence. I also believe that bringing people together to discuss the challenges of any given system is vital to finding workable solutions. Listening to local employers, workers, environmental experts, residents, and community leaders helps ensure regulations are practical, fair, and focused on the needs and values of our community. Phased implementation of new rules, clear guidance, and streamlined permitting can reduce red tape without weakening protections. Predictability, accountability, and fairness create the conditions for sustainable growth and long-term economic success in House District 73.