April 2009
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Legislative Update
The Richardson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently passed a resolution opposing a piece of legislation being considered by the U. S. Congress. The “Card Check” Legislation or the Employee Free Choice Act, if passed, would cause workers to lose their right to a secret ballot in union elections and government employees will decide what benefits and wages employees receive. “Card Check” would make union organizations as easy as signing up a majority of workers, thereby removing the private elections necessary for current union formation. This lack of oversight and anti-democratic dissolution of private elections would leave workers susceptible to coercion and intimidation.
If you are opposed to this legislation, it is very important that you contact your U. S. Congressman as well as those congressional representatives you know in other states as soon as possible.
On transportation in Texas, a letter was sent to Senator John Carona in support of Senate Bill 855, also known as the Texas Local Option Transportation Act. The bill, if passed, will allow local control of the DFW region in helping to solve the growing transportation needs. DFW is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country and one of the primary economic forces in the state. The Chamber also supports a regional rail system in order to have continued economic success.
The Board of Directors also supports House Bill 831, authored by Rep. Larry Taylor, which grants property tax exemption on non-profit organizations, such as Chambers of Commerce, that own their buildings.
The Chamber is also strongly supports House Bill 51, authored by Representative Dan Branch and Senate Bill SB9 by Senator Judith Zaffirini which would provide a pathway for the state’s emerging research universities to attain Tier One research status. Texas has only 3 Tier One research universities, none in our area. We absolutely need at least one in the DFW area to help attract and retain talent, research and development dollars and have a large economic impact.
New Richardson Representative Angie Chen Button filed HB 1198 relating to the Enterprise Zone program. Legislation on the Emerging Technology Fund includes HB 3789 authored by Representative Morrison; SB 542 by Senator Watson and the bill filed by Senator Florence Shapiro, SB 783.
For an summary of actions on legislation, click here. To view the Chamber’s Legislative Priorities for the 81st Legislature Session, click here.
Action News is a monthly publication of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Communications Department.
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