Plano Chamber Public Policy Newsletter
CHAMBER
The Plano City Council approves the 2018-2019 Budget and new tax rate.

On Monday evening, September 10, Plano City Council adopted a new property tax rate and approved the city’s operating budget and Community Investment Program. The new property tax rate of of $0.4603 per $100 valuation, a 1.8% rate reduction from last year’s rate, is expected to raise nearly $13.6 million in new tax revenues and resulted in a nearly $3 million decrease in the overall budget. The operating budget and Community Investment Program include $195 million in city capital projects for FY 2018-19. The budget and tax rate each passed by votes of 5-3 and the Community Investment program passed 7-1.

CLICK HERE to view the budget. Below are the record votes for each council member on the budget and tax rate.
LOCAL
Community Impact, by Gavin Pugh
September 17, 2018

Community Impact, by Daniel Houston                                                            
September 10, 2018
 
Community Impact, by Cassidy Ritter
September 7, 2018
 
Community Impact, by Gavin Pugh
September 4, 2018
 
Community Impact, by Daniel Houston
September 1, 2018
 
Dallas Morning News, by Nanette Light
August 30, 2018
 
Community Impact, by Gavin Pugh
August 28, 2018
STATE
The Texas State Senate and House of Representatives both held numerous interim committee hearings throughout last month. CLICK HERE to read a detailed monthly report on their activities.

Highlights include:
  • State Rep. Travis Clardy and State Rep. Drew Darby throw their hats in the ring for Texas House Speaker race.
  • Texas A-F Public School ratings announced.
  • Texas Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security announce their recommendations.

The Texas Education Agency projects a decrease in state funding for public education in presentation to the state budget panel on September 12:

Texas Tribune, by Aliyya Swaby
September 12, 2018
OTHER NEWS
Wall Street Journal, by Harriet Tory
September 13, 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS
PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
The Plano Chamber Public Policy Com mittee will meet on October 3, 2018 at 7:30 AM at the Chamber offices. All members are welcome to attend and hear updates on a variety of issues such as transportation, education, economic development, higher education, and more.

CANDIDATE MEET & GREET
Meet the candidates running for local, state, and federal offices on Wednesday, October 17 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at the Plano Chamber office. CLICK HERE to register.

PLANO LEGISLATIVE DAYS  
The next Plano Legislative Days will be held February 27-28, 2019 at The Driskill Hotel in Austin, TX. CLICK HERE for more information and to reserve your hotel room. More details forthcoming.

COLLIN COUNTY DAYS
Collin County Days will be held March 26-27, 2019 at the Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel in Austin, TX. CLICK HERE for more information and to reserve your hotel room. More details forthcoming.
STATE WEBSITES
Additional information can be obtained via the Senate, House, and Capitol websites:
Initiatives like these are made possible with support from: