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86th Legislative Session Wrap Up

The 86th Texas Legislative session is officially closed. The Texas business community fared well with a session that was productive and effective for them. HB 3 passed and is one of the most important investments in Texas public education. The Longview Chamber of Commerce is a strong supporter of Pre-K education and believes ensuring young children have full-day Pre-K will provide a strong educational foundation that will support development in the years to come. Young children are the future of Texas businesses, and we want them to have the best advantages possible. The passage of HB 3 is a win for Texas business. Passing property tax reform was also a highlight of this session because it will ease the tax burden on businesses.

A focus for the 87th session will be legislation to preempt city regulation of employment benefits. Private employer policies, like paid sick leave, are best left to negotiations of private employers and their employees. Several economic development tools will continue moving forward. Also, bills were passed that (1) reduce taxes for telecommunications providers and (2) improve regulations and lower costs for Texas industries.

[ CLICK HERE TO READ ADVOCACY SOLUTIONS BLOG ] Quick look at the wins from the 86th legislative session .............................................................

Longview Chamber of Commerce Fights for Affordable Health Insurance Options for Small Business

In March there was a ruling from Judge John D. Bates of the District of Columbia which strikes down parts of the rules on Association Health Plans, one being geographical plans such as the HealthyVIEW of East Texas Employers Health Plan Cooperative. The Department of Labor has filed an appeal against this decision.

The Longview Chamber of Commerce learned on May 7 that The Department of Labor did request their appeal on April 26; however the DOL did not request that the Court “stay” the ruling as part of the appeal, which would have allowed the ruling to be put on hold awaiting the appeal decision. This means that the District Court’s decision will go into effect and will remain in effect unless and until it is reversed on appeal. As a result, CCEHPC will have to pause quoting any new employer participant groups until we get further direction from the DOL. It is important to note: Any plans quoted through May 6 will be honored and groups already implemented will be able to retain

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

[ CLICK HERE TO READ ADVOCACY SOLUTIONS BLOG ] www.ustr.gov/usmca

Trade with Mexico and Canada is vital to the U.S. economy. In 2017 alone, trade with Canada and Mexico reached nearly $1.3 trillion. Since the 2007- 2009 recession, U.S. goods exports to Canada and Mexico have expanded more than with any other country in the world, accounting for about 40 percent of the growth in overall U.S. goods exports. Today, the two countries buy more than one-third of U.S. merchandise exports and 49 states count Canada and Mexico as two of their top three merchandise export markets. Taken together, these exports in goods and services support upwards of 11 million American jobs in every state in the Union, according to reports by the Business Roundtable.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a 21st century, high-standard agreement that modernizes the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA will support mutually beneficial trade leading to freer markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth in North America. In fact, recent analyses show that USMCA will boost economic growth and create more jobs for American workers as a result of key achievements that include:

• More North American Auto Content

• Increased Agricultural Market Access

• Enhanced Labor and Environmental Rights

• Addresses Non-Market Practice and Unfair Subsidies

• Increased Intellectual Property Protections

• Strongest Provisions on Digital Trade

Longview Chamber of Commerce Named Finalist for National Award

The Longview Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the 2019 Chamber of the Year award, presented by Alexandria, Va.- based Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

The award, sponsored by MemberClicks, is the most prestigious and competitive recognition presented annually by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association of more than 8,000 professionals from 1,300 chambers of commerce, including 93 of the top 100 U.S. metro areas.

The Chamber of the Year award recognizes the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.

Chamber of the Year winners will be announced July 15 at the 2019 ACCE Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.

Kelly Hall, CEO and President of the Longview Chamber of Commerce, sums up the Chamber’s reaction –

"It is an exciting time for the Longview Chamber! In 2015 the board set forth a new direction with the strategic

plan R.E.A.C.H. (Redevelopment, Education, Advocacy, Collaboration,and Health). Our work is strategic, intentional and is beingrecognized nationwide. Our work reminds me of a song I love by MatthewWest. His lyrics resonate and are exhibited by the passion I feel abouttaking responsibility for the future we are to build now,for the generations to follow. A few of Matthew’s Lyrics are,‘If not us -- then who, If not now -- then when?’

It is time for us do something!"

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 Leadership Longview class on your graduation!

This class completed the program components and all participants were recognized in a graduation ceremony on May 1, 2019, as a part of the Small Business Awards Luncheon. The selection process for the 2019-2020 class is underway, and the participants will be determined before the end of July. The new class will kick-off with a “Meet & Greet” reception in August, hosted by the Leadership Longview Alumni group, and then begin their journey as a group with a two-day retreat in September at Sky Ranch.

2018 - 2019 Leadership Longview Graduates

Emily Wood, Susan Allen, Max Cobble, Olivia Secord, Elroy Brooks, Lauren Koos, Hollie Bruce, John Nustad, William McWhorter, Justin Landrum, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Brown, Ricardo Baeza, Bo Bruyere, Hollie Kinler, Troy Murrain, Amie Crawford, Stacey Thompson, Aaron McFatridge, Allison Klewer-Hickman, Dawn North Not pictured: Shane McCarter

Chamber News Championing Speakers Bureau Benefits Chamber Members ?

October 4, 2019 12:30 p.m. Pinecrest Country Club

The annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament is happening soon, and you can be a volunteer!

[ CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER ]

The tournament will take place Friday, October 4, 2019 at Pinecrest Country Club. There will be a shotgun start of 12:30 PM. .............................................................For more information contact David Jochum djochum@longviewtx.com

What is TRC?

The 2019 Total Resource Campaign is coming quick, set to begin in September!

The Total Resource Campaign (TRC) is a volunteer driven effort to create marketing and strategic partnerships with members. The Chamber is about to kick-off its 9th annual Total Resource Campaign (TRC). Over the last eight years, over 200 members have partnered with the Chamber to make connections and share marketing opportunities with the membership at large. The TRC is not just about seeking sponsorships for chamber events throughout the year. It is about providing opportunities for members to effectively use their marketing dollars and gain name recognition to support the programs of the chamber that support their business interests with over 75 sponsorships to choose from. The dollars secured during the TRC are used to support the R.E.A.C.H. strategic plan of the Longview Chamber of Commerce through its advocacy and programming efforts.

The TRC also provides business connections among the volunteers participating in the campaign allowing them the opportunity to learn

business development, marketing and sales skills, meet new business contacts and discuss growth opportunities with Longview business leaders.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this exciting and rewarding event! If you interested in volunteering or supporting this year’s TRCthrough a sponsorship, please contact Stephanie Raudales.

Be on the lookout in our bi-weekly newsletters for more information about volunteering and the sponsorships that will be available.

.............................................................For more information contact Stephanie Raudales sraudales@longviewtx.com