“Texas right now is the hottest state in America for business and labor opportunities.”
– Governor Greg Abbott
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today hosted the inaugural Texas Jobs Council meeting at the Governor’s Mansion, marking a significant step in bolstering the state’s workforce and ensuring Texans are equipped for high-demand careers. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will play a crucial role in supporting the Council by providing administrative assistance, conducting relevant research, and facilitating connections with subject matter experts.
“Texas right now is the hottest state in America for business and labor opportunities,” said Governor Abbott. “For us to maintain our dominance, business and labor are working together to meet the high demand for high skilled labor, positions like electricians, pipe fitters, welders, plumbers, truckers, and a whole lot more. Today, we galvanized that partnership with the launch of the Texas Jobs Council. We are unified on a mission that benefits all Texans. A mission that will keep Texas number one for business, keep Texas number one for jobs, and keep Texas number one for workforce training, ensuring great careers for generations of Texans.”
The Governor was joined by Plumbers Local Union 68 Business Manager Wayne Lord, Texas Association of Business Interim President Megan Mauro, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, and other business and labor leaders.
Governor Abbott appointed the following members to the Council:
- Co-Chair, Brent Taylor VP South Teamsters Local 745 & Teamsters Joint Council 80
- Co-Chair, Megan Mauro Interim President Texas Association of Business
- Tony Bennett President Texas Association of Manufacturers
- Todd Staples President Texas Oil and Gas Association
- Hector Rivero President Texas Chemistry Council
- Scott Norman President Texas Association of Builders
- Robert Mele President Teamsters Local 988
- Robert Wayne Lord Business Manager Plumbers Local Union 68
- Alan Robb Assistant General International Longshoremen’s Assoc.
- Lacy Wolf Local 22 President Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 22
- Mark Maher Jr. Business Manager International Union of Operating Engineers 450
- Bryan Edwards Business Manager Pipefitters Local Union 211
“The Texas Jobs Council meeting marks a significant step in aligning Texas' workforce development efforts with our expanding industries and thriving economy,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “These strategic partnerships will strengthen our collective efforts to move at the speed of business and craft actionable recommendations that build pathways to prosperity for Texans.”
For the Council’s inaugural meeting, Governor Abbott was joined by TWC Chairman Joe Esparza, TWC Executive Director Steve Pier, and other business and labor leaders.
The Council will focus on:
- Executive actions that can be implemented immediately by state agencies to reduce regulatory burdens and red tape surrounding workforce development
- Policy and legislative recommendations to be presented to the Governor and Legislature ahead of the 90th Legislative Session
