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March 2005 Volume 2, Issue 3 This issue home | Action home | Chamber home RCC's Top Legislative Concerns Include School Finance, Enterprise Fund, Higher Education As the 79th Texas Legislative session moves forward, eyes across Texas are focusing on the capitol and the major issues facing the state. Members of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce are no exception, as they plan to make their legislative priorities heard amongst state leadership. "The Chamber's legislative agenda aggressively addresses the needs of our community. We want to ensure that Richardson, and Texas, remain a great place to live, work and play. We want to be proactive in addressing the issues that affect our future," said Jerry Durham, vice chairman of the Chamber's Community Division. Public school finance seems to top most everyone's priority list during this session. After turbulent times, the education funding system must be completely overhauled. The RCC recognizes the effect a strong, vibrant educational system has on Texas' ability to remain competitive throughout the United States and the world in years to come. The Chamber is committed to working with state's leadership to find an acceptable solution to correct the current funding system. Created by the Texas Legislature in 2001 at the urging of Gov. Perry, the Texas Enterprise Fund is used by the state as a deal-closing source to lure new job-creating projects to Texas via performance-based incentives. North Texas, and more specifically Richardson, has already reaped the benefits of the fund. The end of 2004 brought the ground breaking of Texas Instruments' newest $3 billion wafer fab, as well as the announcement of Countrywide Financial's relocation of 5,000 new jobs to Richardson. The RCC is encouraging legislators to again approve financial backing for the Enterprise Fund. Even without a local first-tier research university, the North Texas region makes the highest contribution to the state's economy. Having a high-caliber institution in the area would secure the region's future educational and economic health, as well as ensuring the ability to compete for major federal and private industry research funding. The Richardson Chamber of Commerce urges the Legislature to reinstate and increase the excellence funding, propelling the University of Texas at Dallas to a tier-one level. Texas workers' compensation costs have climbed to a rate 50 percent higher than the median state. Due mainly to high costs, 40 percent of Texas employers have opted out of the worker's compensation system. The Chamber recognizes the current worker's compensation crisis facing Texas and urges legislators to create a network that includes a choice from an adequate number of credentialed, trained medical providers and commits to giving excellent care and returning employees to the workplace in a timely fashion. Additional issues being pursued by the RCC include health care, air quality and transportation. A complete listing of the Chamber's priorities can be found on the Web site. |
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