On The Record

This is a weekly publication of the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce. We will be presenting information on public policy, governmental meetings, and issues of business concern. Our goal is to provide you with information to empower your engagement. Thank you for your partnership with the Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ANNOUNCES TRIP

Northeast Texas Coalition Day Austin, Texas-March 8 & 9

(see agenda)

Nine (9) Texas counties have joined together to go to Austin and demonstrate the importance of our region. It is a full day of meeting and sharing our issues and concerns and thanks concerning a strong regi

on on northeast Texas. We conclude the day with a reception to which our elected leaders are invited. This is a chance to get up close and personal with our Texas leadership to share your thoughts, the challenges and our successes. Each of the 9 counties shall be represented. Have you made plans to be a part of this group? Call the Chamber, 903-792-7191 or email Alyssa, ahoward@texarkana.org and reserve you spot.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC) IS IN DANGER!

Did you know the SBDC is in danger of disappearing? Did you know the value of this organization? How does it affect business?

Every $1 spent on Texas SBDCs generates over $7 in revenue to the state economy!

"SBDC long-term consulting assistance is highly valuable from a public policy perspective because it returns tax revenues to state and federal governments as well as value and capital to its clients that are greater than the direct cost of providing the service. For every $1.00 invested in the Texas SBDCs, a return of $7.92 is generated." ( 2016 findings from a national independent study by James J. Chrisman, PH.D.)

The third-party independent survey cited above also reported that in 2016, Texas SBDC clients:

Created14,692 jobs
Retained 9,934 jobs
Obtained new financing/investments of $576 million
Generated $1.3 billion in New Sales
Generated $152 million in New Tax Revenues

What can you do?

Contact our representatives in Texas. Contact the Texas Senate Finance Committee. Contact Senator Brian Hughes. Contact our State Representative Gary VanDeaver. Share your story of the importance of small business to the economy of our state and region. It is important to contact the Texas Finance Committee. Their email addresses are (first.last@senate.texas.gov)
Members of the Finance Committee are: Jane Nelson (Chair), Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Vice-Chair), Paul Bettencourt, Brian Birdwell, Kelly Hancock, Joan Huffman, Lois Kolkhorst, Robert Nichols, Charles Schwertner, Kel Seliger, Larry Taylor, Carlos Uresti, Kirk Watson, Royce West, John Whitmire.

TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS

Governmental Meetings

March 6, 6:00 pm, Board of Directors Meeting, City Hall Agenda
March 20, 6:00 pm, Board of Directors Meeting, City Hall

TEXARKANA, TEXAS

Governmental Meetings

March 13, 6:00 pm, City Council Meeting, City Hall

March 27, 6:00 pm, City Council Meeting, City Hall
March 10, 6:00 pm, City Council Meeting, City Hall
March 24, 6:00 pm, City Council Meeting, City Hall

AR KANSAS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS

Daily Legislative Update

91st General Assembly Thursday, March 3, 2017 - Day 54 (read more)

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

President Donald Trump's Speech to Congress (read more)

UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHN CORNYN

View the Lonestar Weekly here.

"Preserving the 2nd Amendment Rights for Texans"

UNITED STATES SENATOR TED CRUZ

View newsletter here.

*Sen. Cruz Op-Ed in Politico: 'The Right Way to Repeal Obamacare'

*The President's Speech Laid Out a Vision Americans Have Been Hungry For - Bringing Back Jobs and Economic Growth

*Sen. Cruz Visits With Texas Military Leaders and Job Creators

Sen. Cruz Addresses Texas State Rifle Association Annual Meeting

*New WOTUS Rule Reflects Reality That We Can Have Both Clean Water and Economic Growth

*Sen. Cruz and Rep. McCaul Op-Ed in USA Today: Hold Iran Accountable for Terrorism

*Sen. Cruz Joins Colleagues to Reintroduce Bill to Halt Palestinian Authority Funding Until Terror Rewards Stop

UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN JOHN RATCLIFFE

How confident are you that the news you receive from the national media is being reported fairly and accurately? Go here

President Trump delivered his first address to a Joint Session of Congress to share his vision for our country. How would you grade the policies and agenda he discussed in his speech? Go here

UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN BRUCE WESTERMAN

View his recent newsletter here.

TEXAS REPRESENTATIVE GARY VANDEAVER

District and Capital Report (read more)

TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON

Press Releases this week: (read more)

*AG Paxton Applauds Representative Phil King's Efforts to Preserve Voter ID

*AG Paxton Applauds Consideration of Resolutions Proposing an Article V Convention of the States

*AG Paxton Applauds Presidential Order to Review the EPA's Waters of the U.S. Rule

*AG Paxton Releases Statement on EPA Decision to Withdraw Information Request for Oil and Gas Industry

*AG Paxton Announces Court Victory in Fight for State's Right to Secure Student Privacy in Intimate Spaces

Request for Opinion

Whether a commissioners court may fund the county fire marshal and safety coordinator through revenue generated by a sales and use tax imposed pursuant to chapter 324 of the Tax Code (read more)

TEXARKANA GAZZETTE

"Jobs Safe At Army Depot" by Less Minor and Junius Stone, February 25
"HUD Awards Hope A Grant To Fix Drainage Problems" by Jim Williamson, February 25
"Railroad, Trucking Groups Want Higher Federal Gas Tax" by Curtis Tate, February 25 (read more)
"Highway Officials Announce Plan To Help Prioritize Arkansas Projects" February 25
" Proposed Bills Offer Secrecy Provisions In Arkansas" February 25
"Retired Colonel Named Director of Arkansas Veterans' Agency" by The Associated Press, February 25 (read more)
"CEO: Bathroom Bill Bad For Business" by Karl Richter February 26
"Council to Hold Hearing on Repairs To Water Treatment Plan" by Karl Richter, February 26
"Ruling Will Not End Fight Over Local LGBT Protections" by Andrew DeMilio, The Associated Press, February 26 (read more)
"Congress Returns, Set Sights On ACA and Supreme Court" by Erica Werner, The Associated Press February 27 (read more)
"What Popular Tax Breaks Are At Risk If GOP Overhauls Taxes?" by Stephen Ohlemacher, The Associated Press February 27 (read more)
"Feds Rescind Opposition To Key Part of Texas Voter Identification Law" by David Saleh Rauf, The Associated Press, February 28 (read more)
"Arkansas AG Rutledge To Host Mobile Office in Nashville, Arkansas" March 1
"Chamber Continues Effort To Help With Completion of I-49" by Junius Stone, March 1
"Texas Senate Calls For Amending Constitution to Limit Government" by Will Weissert, The Associated Press, March 1 (read more)
"Leifeste Named Gazette"s New General Manager" by Karl Richter, March 2
"Official: Water Safe To Drink" by Karl Richter, March 2
"Immigration Fight Spills Into House Foster Care Bill Debate" by David Saleh Rauf March 2 (read more)
"Study Identifies Region's Economic Assets In Bid To Draw Industries" by Junius Stone,March 2
"Legislature Says I-49 Vital To Western Arkansas Prosperity" by Jim Williamson, March 3

BUSINESS ARTICLES

BUDGET

State Revenue Rises in February, Lowering Budget Cut Fears by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday an improvement in the state's (read more)

CONSTITUTION

Arkansas Senate OKs Bids for Marriage, Abortion Amendments by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press

The Arkansas Senate on Tuesday endorsed a long-shot effort to push for amending the U.S. Constitution to effectively ban gay (read more)

ECONOMY

Midwest Survey Suggests Manufacturing Boosting Economy by Associated Press

Results from a monthly survey of business supply managers suggest that (read more)

EMPLOYMENT

Jobless Claims Sink 19,000 to 223,000 in New Postrecession Low

The U.S. Department of Labor reports this morning that the number of Americans who applied for (read more)

US Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level Since 1973 by Associated Press

Just 223,000 Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, fewest in nearly 44 years. (read more)

GOVERNMENT

Arkansas Lawmakers Approve New Limits on Open Records Law by Associated Press

Arkansas lawmakers have approved bills that would limit public access to government records, including measures keeping security information about the state (read more)

Arkansas Senate OKs Bids for Marriage, Abortion Amendments by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press

The Arkansas Senate on Tuesday endorsed a long-shot effort to push for amending (read more)

HEALTH CARE

Arkansas Lawmakers Consider Freezing Medicaid Expansion by Andrew DeMillo, The Associated Press

A bill that would freeze enrollment in Arkansas' hybrid Medicaid expansion program has advanced out of a state House committee. (read more)

Arkansas Hospitals Pinched Following Insurance Aftermath by Arkansas Business Staff

Some Arkansas hospitals are feeling the fallout from Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield not receiving the premium increase it requested last fall. (read more)

MARIJUANA

Proposal for 4 Percent Tax on Marijuana in Arkansas Advances by Associated Press

Arkansas' Republican-dominated House has approved a proposal that would levy an extra 4 percent tax on marijuana. (read more)

RETAIL TRADE

Arkansas House OKs More Wines at Grocers

A proposal to allow grocery stores to sell more wines passed in the Arkansas House by a 56-25 vote on Wednesday, after failing its first vote there on Monday. (read more)

TRANSPORTATION

Arkansas Bridges Still Need Improvements by Marty Cook

Arkansas' perpetual struggle to repair and replace its aged and ailing bridges is paying small dividends. (read more)

US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Getting Real With International Trade

As protectionist voices are again rising, a little perspective may help put America's trade profile in context. (read more)

Rule 1 for Trade Negotiators: No 'Own Goals' by John G. Murphy, Senior Vice President for International Policy

In soccer, an "own goal" is one scored inadvertently when the ball is struck into the goal by a player on the defensive team. (read more)

Quality Over Quantity: We Need Digital Privacy Policies That Drive Economic Growth by Kara Sutton, Senior Manager, Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation

As technology plays an increasing role in our daily lives, policymakers are trying to better understand how to respond to its role as both an economic driver and a disruptor. In many countries, (read more)

The State of American Business: Help Aviation Fly High

Smart infrastructure investments and FAA reauthorization can support a strong American aviation industry (read more)

gulatory Relief Is on the Way by Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Com merce

The president and leaders in Congress have quickly made good on campaign pledges to rein in the regulatory state. (read more)

States Can Help Their Private Employees Without Depriving Them of the Protections of ERISA

There is an outcry that Congress is impeding on states' rights to help their employer and employees save for retirement. (read more)

UNITED STATES FEDERAL RESERVE

U.S., European Economies and the Great Recession

How have the economies of the U.S. and European nations fared during and after the Great Recession? (read more)

College Inadvertently Increases Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Income and Wealth

The Center for Household Financial Stability at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis sought to address this paradox in a newly released issue of In the (read more)

The Value of the Dollar

The value of the dollar rose more than 20 percent from mid-2014 to early 2016. Did that affect the profitability of U.S. firms with high foreign sales? (read more)

The Policy Rule Debate: A Simpler Solution

President James Bullard, in his column
, addresses the debate on whether the Federal Open Market Committee should adopt a specific rule to follow in adjusting the federal funds rate. (read more)

Slowdown in Productivity: State vs. National Trend by YiLi Chien , Paul Morris

Slow growth in labor productivity is one of the major challenges facing the U.S. economy. Not surprising, then, is the level of attention (read more)

Ask an Economist: What Is the Impact of Chinese Imports on U.S. Jobs?

Maximiliano Dvorkin

lthough most economic models point to overall gains from trade, these gains are not distributed evenly across workers and regions. With that in mind, (read more)

The new issue of The Regional Economist here

H2 Report (read more)

Request for Proposal (RFP) 320-17-16 Professional Development Support for Non-profit Adult Literacy Organization on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Electronic State Business Daily website view here. Questions should be emailed here.

Request for Proposal (RFP) 320-17-15 Accelerate Texas III: Integrated Education and Training on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Electronic State Business Daily website. View the posting here. Question should be emailed here

Request for Proposal (RFP) 320-17-15 Accelerate Texas III: Integrated Education and Training on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Electronic State Business Daily website. View the posting here. Questions should be emailed here.

Pubblished the Question and Answer document for Request for Proposal (RFP) 320-17-11 Texas Fast Start Program IV on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Electronic State Business Daily website. You may also post here. Questions should be e-mailed here.

Published Amendment II for Request for Proposal (RFP) 320-17-09 Adult Education And Literacy College Integration Pathways II on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Electronic State Business Daily website .

You may also post this web address into your browser. Questions should be e-mailed here.

TEXARKNA COLLEGE

Texarkana College Trustees Approve Revitalization Plan of Surplus Property

Texarkana College Board of Trustees took action today to declare the TC Annex as surplus and accept a proposal to purchase the building and land (read more)

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - TEXARKANA

A&M-Texarkana ranks tops in Texas on list of 'Most Affordable Colleges for Incoming Freshman with Financial Need' (read more)

TIP OF THE TOP HAT

*To Jennifer Laurent, Rand Sames Outreach Chelter Executive Director in receiving the Community Builder Award by the Border lodge No. 672.
*To Dr. Michael Perri of Texas A&M University-Texarkana has been selected by The Texas A&M University System as a 2016-2017 member of the Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators. (read more)

*Capt. Glenn Greenwell of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department upon his retirement after 41 years of service