Support Texas Tech University & Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in their legislative efforts to secure full formula funding, debt service for new tuition revenue bonds, and full funding of the Higher Education Fund. In addition, promote TTU’s efforts to enhance faculty in strategic programs and increase funding for the Research Development Fund.


For TTUHSC, support funding for expansion of the professional academic programs to increase the number of health care providers for all of Texas. Support Texas Tech University efforts with regard to flagship institution status; water research; SBDC and agribusiness center funding; the Texas Tech Hill Country Initiative; and HEAF increase.


Support education at community colleges as an important gateway to participation in higher education and contributor to preparing students for academic transfer and training for jobs in the workforce. Support South Plains College and TACC's efforts to establish a new relationship between the state and community colleges through the New Community College


Compact with Texas.


Accountability. Oppose any measures that weaken the current education accountability system.


Oppose any additional monies into education without reform and without initiatives taken by school districts to increase efficiency and quality of education through innovative measures such as shared services.


Skills Development Program. Support increased funding for the Skills Development Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission. Maintain Skills Development Fund grants at the Texas Workforce Commission to improve workforce training.

Agriculture is the cornerstone of the Lubbock economy. Agriculture and agribusiness also represent a major sector of the national economy and our nation's security.


It is the top legislative priority of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce that passage and implementation of a 2007 Farm Bill be based on the 2002 Farm Bill provisions and that changes to this legislation not result in harmful policies that would adversely affect the Lubbock area Agriculture economy.


Support federal research appropriations efforts, including clearly identified earmarks, for agricultural research


Support efforts to ensure that environmental regulations are based on sound science and are implemented fairly.


Oppose legislative or regulatory barriers that could hinder the growth of biotechnology at the national and international levels, including opposing regulations that impair unfettered marketplace activity; monitoring food labeling requirements, standards, and monitoring expanded controls on previously unregulated commodities; and undertaking efforts, where appropriate, to communicate the desirable benefits of biotechnology

State

Support increased access and choice of health care programs by supporting market-driven health policies that maximize consumer and public benefit and allow for the continuation of employer-sponsored voluntary health care coverage. Tools should be explored that would allow employers selection of the highest quality benefits and the lowest, most competitive prices. Oppose tax legislation that penalizes employers who offer health benefits.


Oppose any measure that increases costs for Texas employers and their employees and families.


Coalitions/Cooperatives: Protect and expand previous legislation that allows for employers or employer groups


Federal


Health Insurance/Tax Credits: support assn. health plans, medical liability reform; tax credits for purchasing own coverage and for respite care or IRA on long-term care


Medicaid: protect & enhance Medicaid funding for hospitals; oppose block grants for states; protect Medicaid DSH federal funds; protect intergovernmental transfer to obtain Medicaid match; oppose efforts to reduce Medicare hospital and physician payments; support efforts to reduce regulatory burdens on health care providers; support reform of the area wage index system


Support legislation that fosters private-sector solutions for the uninsured in the U.S.

State


Equity: Business sector taxes must be equitably distributed among all businesses (service and manufacturing). Homeowners and businesses should share in supporting schools.


Property tax relief/tax structure. Oppose efforts to increase the property tax burden since 58% of all property taxes are paid by businesses.


Truth in Taxation. Support Truth in Taxation as a preferred method of expenditure control by government entities.


Federal


Support permanent tax relief, including elimination of the death tax or at minimum an increase in the elimination amount for the death tax, reduction of the capital gains tax and elimination of the alternative minimum tax.


Support efforts to make the Bush tax cuts permanent; reduce the capital gains tax; reduce the tax on dividend income; make tax extenders (e.g., the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and the Welfare to-Work Credit) permanent; improve the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit; enact enhanced tax-deferred savings vehicles; and otherwise advance simplification of, and ease of compliance with, the Internal Revenue Code.


Support efforts to eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax


Monitor tax reform efforts by the Bush administration and Congress to ensure that concerns of Chamber members are accounted for.


Protect the long-term health and competitiveness of the U.S. capital markets by supporting sensible reforms to restore investor confidence while opposing unethical and criminal behavior. Advocate for policy changes that support continued stability, transparency, fairness, and innovation in our capital markets. Protect our capital markets from overregulation and unfair enforcement.

Support efforts to make certain that Chinese regulations and practices governing foreign trade and investment do not result in an uneven playing field and inhibit the market access that underlies China’s World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. Continue to closely monitor China’s progress toward meeting its outstanding and year-five WTO obligations.


Support efforts to ensure that a final agreement in the WTO and other trade negotiations not include premature and unwarranted U.S. concessions on anti-dumping and other trade remedy laws that would harm U.S. and West Texas agriculture or industry.


Support immigration policies and procedures that are responsible, efficient, and fair. Urge Congress and the administration to address current and potential delays, backlogs, and disruptions in our immigration and border management systems that impede the movement of legitimate cargo and travelers across U.S. borders. Continue to advance long-term legal immigration objectives to secure additional workers to counteract demographic trends. Ensure the continuity of H-1B, L-1 and J-1 medical visas for professionals and highly valued workers. Push for continuation of employers’ ability to access needed talent and meet global workforce needs. Urge a workable guest-worker program that encourages secure, documented entry to the U.S.

State


Freight Rail Improvements: Support TXDOT efforts to assess and improve freight rail infrastructure in West Texas.


TTC Ports-to-Plains. Support efforts to establish the Ports to Plains Corridor as a Trans Texas Corridor.


Local Option County Public Transportation Fee. Support legislation that would enable the State’s counties to assess a local option fee of $10.00 to be added to the registration fees for each vehicle and trailer licensed in the county. The county public transportation fee would be implemented at the discretion of each County Commission and subject to collection by the county of a 10% administration fee. Revenues would be distributed to the designated recipients of state and federal public transportation funds whose service area includes the address of the registered vehicle.


Increase in State Transportation Funds. Recommend an increase in General Revenue state funding of small urban and rural public transit (exclusive of Medicaid and HHS client-based transportation) to a $90 million funding level based on multiple assessments of the actual needs of public transportation that have been conducted over the last several years.


RMA: Support legislation that would allow municipalities to create regional mobility authorities.


Federal


Ports to Plains: Support efforts to complete the Ports to Plains Trade Corridor.


Lubbock International Airport: support increased flexibility in the way Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) funds can be spent;


Public Transportation: add provision that permits the definition of small urbanized areas eligible for flexibility to be defined as those areas that operate less than 100 buses during peak hour fixed route service rather than current criteria of 200,000 or less population; support Citibus appropriations requests.

Support the current state ground water law, commonly known as the “Rule of Capture,” as amended by the rules of local ground water conservation districts.

Support funding for water research as long as a benefit to region exists and there is negative impact on agricultural producers and other water users; support research on desalination efforts