State Priorities

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State Priorities

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:  Lubbock Chamber of Commerce 2011 State Policy

AGRICULTURE/WATER/NATURAL RESOURCES

  • 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 legislation that would limit eminent domain powers and address the creation of fresh water supply districts.
  • Support full & sufficient funding of boll weevil control programs.
  • Support legislation that would further the development of wind energy zones and transmission lines, making possible the transmission of wind energy harvested in West Texas to more populous areas that are within the ERCOT power grid.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TRANSPORTATION

  • Support the use of additional state or federal funding for completing transportation projects already underway.  Support an increase in state provided funds and a change in the current funding formula for public transportation. Support limitations on the use of motor fuel taxes, except for the constitutionally-required percentage used to fund our educational system, by reducing diversions to the fullest extent.
  • Oppose legislation that would alter current system for selection of hosting locations for certain University Interscholastic League extracurricular competitions.

EDUCATION/EDUCATION REFORM/WORKFORCE TRAINING

  • Support Texas Tech in their effort to reach Tier 1 Flagship status as well as Texas Tech’s goal of 40,000 students by 2020 and their pursuit for a substantial increase in formula funding--for both instruction and infrastructure. Support the legislative priorities of the Texas Tech University System and component institutions.
  • Support a reexamination of the public school accountability system to develop a system with flexibility in the assessments used to meet graduation requirements; reflecting greater validity, using more cost efficient sampling and more accuracy.
  • Support multiple pathways to graduation which provides students and districts the necessary flexibility to graduate students ready for college or the workforce.

HEALTHCARE

  • Increase 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.  Oppose any measure that increases costs for Texasemployers and their employees and families. Protect and expand previous legislation that allows for employers or employer groups to band together to purchase affordable health benefits for employees.

TAXES/ECONOMY/WORKPLACE

  • Oppose efforts to allow public employees or require private employers to subsidize or promote labor unions or similar organizations through payroll collection of dues and contributions.
  • Support legislative measures to equitably distribute the burden of business sector taxes among all businesses, including service and manufacturing.  Also, support legislation ensuring that homeowners and businesses share support for public education. Support Truth in Taxation as a preferred method of expenditure control by government entities.
  • Cuts to State Agency budgets should be equitable across a state agency’s budget and not targeted at a specific area to the extent that it results in incapacitating vital and essential services.

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