East Texas Coalition

Convening Leaders as Policy Influencer in Austin

The Austin legislature will soon be in session. As the voice of business your chamber has been leading conversations with community leaders across East Texas to ensure we clearly understand the business priorities as we enter into session. Numerous work sessions have been hosted in partnership with Kilgore, Lindale, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse chambers.

Collectively our boards have agreed on the following 5 Priorities for the trade area:

1. Support and protect continuing the use of transparent economic development incentive tools to enhance job creation and investment in Texas.

2. Support efforts to increase workforce supply and resiliency by supporting the recommendations made by the Texas

Community College Commission Finance (TCCCF).

3. Support and ensure East Texas is prioritized in the broadband plans.

4. Support improving access to care and increasing behavioral and mental health services through expanding physician loan repayment programs specifically targeted to primary care provider, mental health providers, and underserved areas and expanding the child mental health consortium statewide.

5. Support the implementation of the Tri-Agency workforce

Initiative (HB3767) to determine if alignment of education and workforce development has improved through datasharing; advocate for strengthening agency data-sharing and public access to information on progress towards state workforce goals and student outcomes; support engagement with the business community to improve the quality of workforce data collected by state agencies. We are planning on approximately 175 area business leaders convening to serve as policy influencers to champion the east Texas area. Together we are asking our members to come together and travel to Austin, March 5-7, to meet with elected officials and state agency heads.

All of Monday’s briefings will be held at the Royal Sonesta Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel, just four blocks from the state Capitol. “Attending this year is important,” Mark Robinson, AEP/SWEPCO External Affairs manager stated. “We need to show our local support for our state representative and senator. It will pay dividends down the end.”

On Tuesday morning attendees will hear from area Representatives and Senator Hughes on how they are making sure our priorities are included in the shaping future policies. The morning will continue with briefing sessions and conclude at noon.

This program would not be available with out our Sponsors! Thank you to:

All members are invited to join us. Registration is available online.

TITLE SPONSOR:

GOLD SPONSORS: Advanta Insurance Partners Copeland Insurance Conterra Networks DATCS LLC Eastman Credit Union Longview Cable Television Company Inc / Wehco Video Inc Martin Resource Management ServPro of Longview

Guest Column : Overview of the Regular Session of the 88th Legislature

The 88th Legislature is set to convene January 10, 2023. I am honored to represent Longview and East Texas in the Texas Senate and will be working to promote economic growth, limited government, and individual liberty. The Texas economy is strong and has created more jobs over the past year than any other state. This strong economy is giving us the resources we need to meet the state’s priorities. Public education will be improved with policies that enrich students, support teachers, and empower parents. Border security will be enhanced with the construction of physical barriers, the use of advanced technology, and the continued deployment of National Guardsmen and state troopers. Business activity will be sustained with the low-tax, limited-regulation policies that have made Texas the economic engine of the United States. I look forward to working with you in the coming session. If I can be of service to you in any way, please let me know.