By Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
Texans – Today is Election Day! Though I know many of you – like me – voted early, for those who have not cast your ballot, today is your final chance to make your voice heard in the 2024 General Election!
As citizens of the United States, and of the Great State of Texas, one of our most important duties is to exercise our civic right to choose the leaders who will best represent our values while cultivating an environment where future generations can continue to prosper.
If you haven’t already voted, I encourage you to get trusted information on where, when, and how you can cast your ballot on Election Day from the Texas Secretary of State by visiting www.votetexas.gov
For the 2024 General Election in Texas, the Texas Association of Business Political Action Committee (TXBIZ PAC) has endorsed a bipartisan slate of state legislative candidates who we look forward to working with to protect and expand Texas’ outstanding business environment. These legislators will help keep the Texas Jobs Juggernaut going.
To read the full list of endorsements, click here.
At the Texas Association of Business (TAB) we are proud of our Board and members who are unified in our common mission to keep Texas the best place for business – not just in the United States, but in the entire world. In fact, our purpose is clear: “To champion the best business climate in the world — unleashing the power of free enterprise to enhance lives for generations.”
During the 88th Legislature, Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan and the entire legislature delivered incredible wins for job creators. From historic property tax cuts to doubling of the franchise tax exemption, regulatory relief, infrastructure investment, new funding tied to performance for community colleges, new initiatives in semiconductors and space, the establishment of business courts, and a new tool to attract large CapEx projects, TAB and the Texas business community writ large had arguably the best results in our 100-year history.
Part of the success was a united business community on key issues impacting our ability to grow. We are proud to work with the incredible local chambers across the state, and we love the opportunities to both host local business leaders in our office across from the Texas Capitol and visit chamber leadership in their communities throughout the Lone Star State.
I believe that since the pandemic, I’ve visited more local chambers in person than any other state chamber head.
What I’ve learned during those visits is that Texas businesses are united in a commitment to their employees and continued job growth.
Our chamber leaders understand that other states are well aware of the elements that have contributed to the Texas Miracle – and they want to replicate it to compete on our level.
At TAB, our Board and members have access to detailed information and intelligence on what’s going on at the State Capitol in Austin, Washington, D.C., and internationally – including our North American trade partners in Mexico and Canada – with the goal of ensuring our state’s business leaders have the tools and resources to succeed at the state, national, and global levels.
If you’re a business owner in Texas and not yet a TAB Member we would love you to consider joining TAB. To learn more about how to become a member, click here.
Starting today, we will be providing a portion of our Monday Member Newsletter to the public, as well as other content available through our TXBIZ Chamber News blog and Texas Chamber Business News.
We hope you enjoy this content and information about the latest developments in the business community. If you would like to contact me directly, please email me at [email protected]
For now, make sure to get out and #vote!
– Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Last week, TAB led a coalition of nearly 50 companies and local chambers of commerce in writing a letter to Texas legislators, advocating for the preservation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) – a vital law that ensures consistency and uniformity for businesses in offering employee benefits. ERISA’s protections help businesses operate efficiently across state lines by minimizing administrative complexities. Read the full post and letter here.
Also last week, TAB Chairman Massey Villarreal published an impactful op-ed in the Houston Chronicle, titled “In Texas, immigration is a workforce issue.” The article emphasizes the critical role of immigrants in Texas’ labor force, particularly in essential sectors. New research from the American Immigration Council reveals that immigrants make up about 27% of health care and energy workers and a significant 51% of the construction workforce. The op-ed calls on Congress and the next president to recognize the workforce shortages facing Texas and the nation, urging meaningful immigration reform to address the growing demand for skilled labor across these industries. Read the full article here.
Shifting to cross-border developments, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced plans to remove commercial traffic from the Bridge of the Americas in El Paso, as part of a $650 million modernization project. This bridge serves as a vital link for manufacturing supply chains between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso. GSA’s proposal has sparked significant opposition from the binational business community across the borderplex region, Texas, and Mexico. TAB is working with allies on both sides of the border to present a unified, binational response in opposition to the GSA’s current plan for the modernization of Bridge of the Americas in El Paso, which will impact important cross-border commercial artery with our state and nation’s top trade partner.
QUICK HITS
- ICYMI: Chairman Capriglione released an initial draft of regulatory framework for AI, the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act, for the upcoming 89th Legislative Session. Read the full draft.
- Texas launched its new Business Court system, with Governor Abbott swearing in the inaugural justices. Supported by TAB and Texans for Lawsuit Reform, this specialized court will handle complex business cases, reinforcing Texas’ reputation as a top state for business. Link to full story.
Registration is Open for the TAB Policy Conference 2025!
Join us on January 16, 2025 at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, for an engaging day focused on Texas’s legislative priorities. Come along as we address the critical issues facing the business community and set the stage for collaboration and progress.
In addition to registering as an attendee, consider becoming a sponsor or a panel host. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this influential event. Register now and consider joining us as a sponsor or panel host to make a lasting impact! Reach out to [email protected] with any questions!