By Bill Hammond - Austin Business Journal
Published: 12-08-08
Business must watch Legislature
The presidential election marked a historic change in presidential politics and congratulations are in order to President-elect Barack Obama. It is truly a watershed moment in American history to have our first African-American president.
While I have serious reservations about much of Obama’s legislative agenda his ascent to the presidency marks a significant moment in healing past racial divisiveness.
Here in Texas voters made their frustration known over poor choices by our federal leaders which trickled down the ballot jeopardizing seats long considered safe due to incumbent advantage. Good state legislators on both sides of the aisle were caught in the crosshairs and the margin between political parties for control of the Texas House is now razor thin.
With these slim margins holding the balance of which party controls the Texas House of Representatives our state stands in danger of having the positive tide ebb in the wrong direction if anti-business legislators dictate our economic agenda in the coming years.
In 2002 the Texas Association of Business launched an information campaign to help educate voters on the records of legislative candidates. The results changed the landscape of Texas politics and helped create the best business climate the state has ever seen.
For the last five years the Legislature has enacted positive pro-growth reforms that spurred economic development and subsequently led to a massive influx of companies seeking to do business in Texas. Home to more Fortune 500 companies than any state in the nation and nearly 50 percent of new jobs created in America in the last 12 months Texas has been able to withstand the national economic uncertainty. Gov. Rick Perry Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Tom Craddick have been instrumental in protecting Texans from job losses and the worst effects of the subprime mortgage crisis.
Unfortunately the economic progress our state has enjoyed can be undone within one legislative session. As party polarization expands in the House Texas is vulnerable to policy alterations that can devastate the business climate we have worked so diligently to foster. Texas lawmakers must continue generating and protecting fiscally conservative laws to keep our economic engines running.
In just a few short months the 81st Legislature will convene in Austin. Without a doubt opportunists in both chambers will seek to expand the role of unions in the employment process; file bills that will dismantle workers’ compensation insurance overhauls; weaken our already fractured public education system and implement draconian oversight for our energy and environmental regulation. Texas business owners must take proactive steps and contact their legislators today.
When challenges are the worst Texas always answers with its best. The Texas Association of Business is no different and it is prepared to meet the business and economic challenges of tomorrow with unyielding energy. With our economic security hanging in the balance the association is redoubling its efforts this session to fight for businesses employers and taxpayers across the state.
The voice for Texas business must ring loudly through the corridors of the Capitol to fight anti-business legislation. We’ll bring the megaphones.
Bill Hammond is president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
