Plano Chamber of Commerce

2011 Legislative Agenda

About the Chamber: The Chamber of Commerce serves as a steward to their Member Investors through its Public Policy Committee and Chamber Advocacy efforts. Supporting good government enhances the economic well being of the community and its citizens.

Introduction to the Issues:

I. Taxes & Spending – Evaluate the implementation of the Business Margins Tax and other tax and property appraisal issues as they relate to business. The majority of our members reporting believed that this general area was one of the most significant issues affecting their business and our community.

a.)  Evaluate effectiveness and the long term impact of Business Margins Tax and the revenues it produces and on the financial standing of the State of Texas.

b.) Oppose efforts to increase sales tax rate and resist expanding the sales tax coverage to other retail goods and professional services.

c.) Support efforts to evaluate and mitigate the impact of an increasing ad valorem tax burden on businesses and individual homeowners.

II. Workforce and Economic Development - Active recruitment and retention of business is dependent upon the development of an educated, reliable workforce. A significant number of our members reporting felt this was a significant factor in their business and the continuing economic growth in our community and region.

a.) Fund the Emerging Technology Fund program at or above current levels.

b.) Support the development of additional Tier One Universities in Texas, specifically in the North Texas area.

c.) Maintain funding for Community Colleges at or above the current level.

III.  Healthcare - Identify measures that decrease the cost of healthcare to businesses and consumers and increase the levels of access and quality. A significant number of our members reporting felt this was a major factor in retention of a productive workforce in their business.

a.) Increase available funding for investment for research and development of health care technology and applied research.

b.) Support measures that would increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of health services and health insurance. Encourage the State’s evaluation of the impact of federal health care reform on our members and their employees.

IV. Transportation - Traffic, mobility and congestion issues play an important role in our area and have significant impact on our business members and employees, including issues like commuter and other Regional rail initiatives.

a.) Stop all Highway Gas Tax (Fund 6) diversions to non-transportation uses and index the motor fuels tax to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or other economic indicators that would enable Texas to have the needed capital expenditures to handle our growth and keep pace with inflation.

b.) Support both Sunset Commission and Grant Thornton management study recommendations that attempt to make TxDOT more accountable, efficient and responsive to the North Texas area. To the extent possible, encourage implementation of all of their administrative recommendations, prior to the 2011 Legislative Session

c.) Support legislation that will enable the development & funding of local rail transit initiatives through voter-approved revenue streams that are tied to mobility/transport uses. This will include cross-region rail efforts like the Cotton Belt and other regional rail options using current right of way.

d.) In order to achieve new air quality attainment levels, support responsive and reasonable measures to improve air quality and meet State and Federal standards. Any solution considered should minimize the impact on businesses and their employee’s welfare and mobility.

There were also several remaining issues for which our members expressed interest or concern, but for which there is no specific legislative item proposed at this time. However, the Plano Chamber of Commerce recommends supporting the following broad principles when considering any piece of legislation proposed in the next legislative session.

Technology and Renewable Energy – Any efforts for research and development of commercially viable, sustainable energy technology should be considered. All efforts to support the cost effective development of new sources of renewable energy need to be encouraged, including the study of alternative fuels, green buildings, related construction technologies, bio-fuels, as well as energy efficient appliances and equipment. Any such effort should be encouraged by the use of incentives for business, rather than through any state or federal mandate. 

Water - Effective water management strategies are to be encouraged including incentives for increased conservation efforts, recycling and reuse projects and there should be an increased focus on the citizen’s right to an adequate and safe water supply at an affordable price to insure our continued economic growth and stability, as long as a public water developer or wholesaler would be prohibited from using a rate structure that creates a disincentive for the purchaser to conserve water. 

Approved 11/17/2010.