FAIRCLOTH: Interim Legislative Update

By State Rep. Wayne Faircloth Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Did you know that April is the Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month the Child Safety Month Minority Cancer Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month?  I mention this because while April is full of bluebonnets and sunny afternoons it is also a time to highlight very important issues throughout our community.  This newsletter is to further share with you some of the on goings within House District 23 and in Texas and therefore hope you find it informative. If you have any questions or comments that you would like to share you can contact my office via this link. House District 23 Benefits from Landmark Deal With JSW Steel (USA) Inc. To Develop Local Steel Industry In Baytown Texas Just recently a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed to develop and augment the steel industry in Texas. With this agreement JSW Steel (USA) Inc. has agreed to consider an investment of $500 million in phases in developing its steel manufacturing infrastructure in Baytown Texas. This investment will be used to expand the companys Plate & Pipe Mill unit. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant offer of $3.4 million has been extended to JSW Steel (USA) Inc. This new deal is sure to bring a substantial amount of economic growth to the Baytown area as well as House District 23. We are going to change steelmaking in the United States right here in Baytown Texas" said John Hirtz President and CEO of JSW Steel USA. There wont be anything like it in the U.S. or in the world for decades to come." The Memorandum signed by Greg Abbott and JSW USA is part of our long term strategy to enhance our U.S. footprint" said Mr. Parth Jindal of JSW Group. It reiterates our commitment to stay invested and grow in the U.S. market. It also provides JSW USA an opportunity to participate in USAs infrastructure development and job creation priorities. Access to natural gas at extremely economical prices and the abundant availability of scrap steel in Texas make conditions very conducive for manufacturing through the Electric Arc Furnace route. JSW Steel (USA) Inc. wishes to create a world class fully integrated steel complex that will bring precision manufacturing of high quality steel plate and pipe to Texas USA." JSW USA operates one of the widest steel plate & pipe mills in North America. Strategically located in Baytown Texas the unit services the needs of the energy petrochemicals defense and other heavy equipment industries in USA who need high quality carbon plate. Sanctuary Cities During the 84th Legislative Session Senate Bill 4 was passed which banned entities such as cities counties and colleges from implementing policies to refuse to enforce federal immigration laws. After its bill signing in May 2017 Texas was sued by various local governments who were trying to stop the law from going into effect. The 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently ruled the majority of the bill was constitutional and Texas could enforce the law. An injunction is still in place on a provision in the bill which punishes local officials for policies that would prohibit or limit enforcement of immigration laws specifically. However they are still prohibited from adopting or enforcing policies which specifically prohibit or limit enforcement of immigration laws.