Governmental Affairs Committee
2018 State Legislative Priorities
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
As a chamber of commerce, we support the interests of business and are committed to those policies and programs that provide Conroe/Lake Conroe area businesses with a competitive advantage over businesses in other states or countries. We continue to support funding of workforce training programs and are concerned with any effort to eliminate tools that we use in the state of Texas to influence and recruit companies to our state and region.
- We SUPPORT the increased funding of the Texas Enterprise Fund for the upcoming biennium and efforts to improve transparency in the program.
- We SUPPORT keeping the economic development sales tax in its current form and OPPOSE legislation that diverts these dollars away from primary job creation and economic and community development purposes.
- We SUPPORT keeping the hotel occupancy tax in its current form and OPPOSE legislation that diverts these dollars away from promoting tourism and job creation.
- We SUPPORT increased funding for the Skills Development Fund Grant Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission specifically through its’ use by Lone Star College.
- We SUPPORT the continuation of Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code.
TRANSPORTATION
The Houston region continues to expand in a northern direction. The result is increased traffic congestion and a traffic system that struggles to keep up with the needs of citizens and businesses. While earlier propositions have helped create funding mechanisms, emphasis MUST continue to be placed on short and long term transportation options. As the region grows, so to must the commitment to creating additional, sustainable funding options for transportation.
- We OPPOSE any efforts to reduce availability or divert any funds specifically ear-marked for transportation projects.
- We SUPPORT improved highways, ports of entry and other infrastructure that helps in the movement of trade, increases the flow of goods and services, promotes tourism and increases in public safety.
- We SUPPORT providing Montgomery County with the necessary tools to plan, design and implement transportation projects that benefit our area.
- We SUPPORT the strict limitations on the use of motor fuel taxes for allocation outside of transportation programs. (Except for constitutionally-mandated allocations to the educational system).
EDUCATION
The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce supports an education system that prepares students with skills to effectively compete in the workforce. We know that schools in the Conroe/Lake Conroe area must be afforded the opportunity to create curriculum that addresses the needs of our community first.
- We SUPPORT measures that give school districts the flexibility to meet the needs of their students.
- We SUPPORT legislation that will provide state-wide free or reduced Pre-K to all Texas school children to secure a better future workforce, preferably without a tax increase.
- We SUPPORT legislative efforts to provide tax incentives encouraging business participation in educational initiatives.
- We SUPPORT the 60x30 plan in which 60% of Texans between the ages of 25-34 hold some kind of degree or post-secondary certification by the year 2030.
- We SUPPORT legislation that allows community colleges the ability to offer Bachelors of Applied Technology and Bachelors of Science in Nursing, as these degrees are critical to the continued economic growth of our community.
- We OPPOSE any mandates imposed on public schools without accompanying funding.
HEALTH CARE
The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce advocates for the highest quality health care in our area at the best cost available for both employers who provide health insurance to their employees and for the state taxpayers who fund Medicaid.
- We SUPPORT the extension of the 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver to at least September 2019.
- We SUPPORT legislation regarding the prompt pay of health claims or explanations of payments as long as claims have been processed in a timely manner; providing however, that such statutes do not result in the reimbursement of fraudulent claims
- We SUPPORT legislation that allows community colleges the ability to offer Bachelors of Applied Technology and Bachelors of Science in Nursing, as these degrees are critical to the continued economic growth of our community.
Date and Time
Tuesday Mar 6, 2018
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
Location
The Chamber
505 West Davis St
Conroe, TX 77301
Fees/Admission
All members welcome. If planning on attending please contact Brian Bondy or Courtney Galle here at the Chamber.
Contact Information
Brian Bondy, President and Courtney Galle, director of special events
Send Email
2018 State Legislative Priorities
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
As a chamber of commerce, we support the interests of business and are committed to those policies and programs that provide Conroe/Lake Conroe area businesses with a competitive advantage over businesses in other states or countries. We continue to support funding of workforce training programs and are concerned with any effort to eliminate tools that we use in the state of Texas to influence and recruit companies to our state and region.
- We SUPPORT the increased funding of the Texas Enterprise Fund for the upcoming biennium and efforts to improve transparency in the program.
- We SUPPORT keeping the economic development sales tax in its current form and OPPOSE legislation that diverts these dollars away from primary job creation and economic and community development purposes.
- We SUPPORT keeping the hotel occupancy tax in its current form and OPPOSE legislation that diverts these dollars away from promoting tourism and job creation.
- We SUPPORT increased funding for the Skills Development Fund Grant Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission specifically through its’ use by Lone Star College.
- We SUPPORT the continuation of Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code.
TRANSPORTATION
The Houston region continues to expand in a northern direction. The result is increased traffic congestion and a traffic system that struggles to keep up with the needs of citizens and businesses. While earlier propositions have helped create funding mechanisms, emphasis MUST continue to be placed on short and long term transportation options. As the region grows, so to must the commitment to creating additional, sustainable funding options for transportation.
- We OPPOSE any efforts to reduce availability or divert any funds specifically ear-marked for transportation projects.
- We SUPPORT improved highways, ports of entry and other infrastructure that helps in the movement of trade, increases the flow of goods and services, promotes tourism and increases in public safety.
- We SUPPORT providing Montgomery County with the necessary tools to plan, design and implement transportation projects that benefit our area.
- We SUPPORT the strict limitations on the use of motor fuel taxes for allocation outside of transportation programs. (Except for constitutionally-mandated allocations to the educational system).
EDUCATION
The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce supports an education system that prepares students with skills to effectively compete in the workforce. We know that schools in the Conroe/Lake Conroe area must be afforded the opportunity to create curriculum that addresses the needs of our community first.
- We SUPPORT measures that give school districts the flexibility to meet the needs of their students.
- We SUPPORT legislation that will provide state-wide free or reduced Pre-K to all Texas school children to secure a better future workforce, preferably without a tax increase.
- We SUPPORT legislative efforts to provide tax incentives encouraging business participation in educational initiatives.
- We SUPPORT the 60x30 plan in which 60% of Texans between the ages of 25-34 hold some kind of degree or post-secondary certification by the year 2030.
- We SUPPORT legislation that allows community colleges the ability to offer Bachelors of Applied Technology and Bachelors of Science in Nursing, as these degrees are critical to the continued economic growth of our community.
- We OPPOSE any mandates imposed on public schools without accompanying funding.
HEALTH CARE
The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce advocates for the highest quality health care in our area at the best cost available for both employers who provide health insurance to their employees and for the state taxpayers who fund Medicaid.
- We SUPPORT the extension of the 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver to at least September 2019.
- We SUPPORT legislation regarding the prompt pay of health claims or explanations of payments as long as claims have been processed in a timely manner; providing however, that such statutes do not result in the reimbursement of fraudulent claims
- We SUPPORT legislation that allows community colleges the ability to offer Bachelors of Applied Technology and Bachelors of Science in Nursing, as these degrees are critical to the continued economic growth of our community.
Date and Time
Tuesday Mar 6, 2018
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
Location
The Chamber
505 West Davis St
Conroe, TX 77301
Fees/Admission
All members welcome. If planning on attending please contact Brian Bondy or Courtney Galle here at the Chamber.
Contact Information
Brian Bondy, President and Courtney Galle, director of special events
Send Email