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Breakfast of Champions
Wrap-Up for Breakfast with the Senators
 Last Wednesday, the HEB Chamber's Business Advocacy Goal Team hosted an informative breakfast to hear Texas Senators Kelly Hancock and Beverly Powell talk about the impact of the 86th Legislative Session on our community. Both Senators were positive about the accomplishments and quality of this session.
Senator Kelly Hancock
, representing District 9, was pleased with the legislation on property taxes - the first property tax reform in 38 years. Hancock is committed to public service and has been acknowledged for his efforts in promoting fiscal responsibility and conservative values1. He expects the main issues of the 87th legislative session will be the budget and redistricting, as well as following up on the results of the property tax and education legislation.
For Senator Beverly Powell, representing District 10, the highlight of the 86th session was the changes in funding for public education. She anticipates that one of the main issues in the next legislative session will be health and human services, especially since Texas is the state with not only the highest uninsured rate, but also the highest infant mortality rate. The second issue  of focus for Powell would be safety/security and mental health. Powell will continue to fight for a vibrant economic environment and access to educational opportunities for all Texans2.
Following the Senators' remarks, there was a lively exchange of questions from the audience.
Interim charges for the Senate and House will be coming out soon. When public meetings are announced and issues surface we will keep you informed.
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Election Kick Off
District 92 Election Campaign Starting
Candidates are starting to line up to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Jonathan Stickland, four-term representative from Texas House District 92.
The day after Stickland's announcement, Jeff Cason, former Bedford City Council member, announced for the Republican primary. He is a 35-year Bedford resident. His website says: "Jeff has successfully worked for nearly 50 years as a manufacturing and sales professional within the aviation and energy industries. This career has taken him around both the country and the globe, where he has seen the effects of different governments and public policies on the people who live within them. Texans' small government mentality has made our state the most successful in the country."
He has been joined by Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin. Jim's website says: "
Griffin moved to Texas in 1989 and served on Bedford's Planning and Zoning Commission before being elected to City Council and then Mayor. Throughout his 16 years of service, Griffin has served admirably as Chair of the Tarrant County Mayor's Council, Chair of the HEB ISD Education Foundation, Chair of Northeast Leadership Forum, Chair of the HEB Chamber of Commerce, Chair-elect of the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition, Chair of the Bedford Library Foundation, and Chair of the Tarrant County Mental Health Initiative."
Democrats, who list District 92 as one they can flip to Democratic Party control in 2020, are starting to line up as well.
Jeff Whitfield has announced for the Democratic primary. He is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and the University of Texas Law School. He was a Fulbright Scholar and clerked for the prosecutors at the war crimes tribunal at the Haag, Netherlands. He was born and raised in the district and is currently an attorney at the firm Kelly Hart & Hallman in Fort Worth. Jeff's website says: "In this community, we help our neighbors. In this community, we know the value of self-reliance is balanced by the responsibility to lend a hand up to those who are less fortunate than we are. In this community, we can no longer accept mediocrity when what we deserve is excellence. In this community, we know you're not "on your own." We're Texans. We're in this together."
Steve Riddell, who lost to Stickland in the general election in 2018 has filed to run again. His website says: "I have a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Edward's University and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University. It's in my DNA - I know business. I'm running as a Democrat, but I'm no ideologue. My perspective is that there's a world of data available that shows us how to solve our problems - and I want to try the solutions that perform, regardless of where they fit on the political spectrum. I want to listen to everyone and act as a true representative. I feel like the people of my community deserve representation in Austin that speaks for them. Years of "ideologically pure" representation have done nothing to improve our communities. I'd like to instead focus on solving problems by doing what works."
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Fair Representation
Complete Census
The federal census required by the U.S. Constitution will be taken during 2020. Preparations are already underway to ensure that the best possible count of the residents of Hurst-Euless-Bedford and the state of Texas occurs. The census numbers are used to allocate federal congressional districts and state legislative districts. A complete count means we will get our fair share of representation in congress and the legislature.
Legislative representation is important, but perhaps even more importantly, the census count is used to disperse federal funds among the states and cities. An undercount means dollars that should be sent to Hurst, Euless and Bedford and to Texas will go elsewhere. These numbers will be used for the next 10 years so even a small undercount will cost HEB and Texas millions of dollars. As a result, the city has a complete count committee that is working to communicate the importance of completing the census forms to Arlington residents.
Several populations that should be counted are historically difficult to count accurately. The count must include those who are undocumented as well as legal residents. The undocumented are often reluctant to send any information to the government. The culture of some of the immigrant communities includes a mistrust of government and may result in an undercount. Children, even new born children are to be included. Historically they are undercounted.
The census data will be used to redistrict the Texas Legislature and the congressional districts in Texas by the 87
th
Texas Legislature. Since the data will not be available to the Legislature until April of 2021, four months into the legislative session, the Census Committee is holding hearings around the state now to get public input to the process.
The 2020 Census will arrive on April 1
st
, but instead of waiting for census takers to knock on doors, HEB is taking a more proactive stance with handling the census. The cities of Hurst, Euless, and Bedford, HEB ISD and the HEB Chamber have already begun working on spreading information about the census. This joint venture has already created social media accounts, promotional material and even a commercial to help spread the word about the Census. Currently a Complete Count Committee is being formed that will include city officials, faith leaders and business owners.
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Trade Talk
U.S. Chamber Pushes to Act on USMCA
Forty-nine U.S. states count Canada or Mexico as one of their top three merchandise export markets. Trade with these two countries supports 12 million American jobs and is vital to businesses of every size, sector, and region. That's why last week the U.S. Chamber of Commerce convened 100 state and local chamber executives from across the nation to discuss our most critical policy priority headed into fall: approving the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.
The HEB Chamber has taken a position supporting the immediate passage of the USMCA. Please take a moment and send an email to your member of the House and both Senators. Just write: Please pass the USMCA without delay. Please copy maryfrazior@heb.org so we can keep track of the number sent.
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House Members
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Senate Members
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The Chamber's Board has five goal teams. One of these teams is Business Advocacy, and it is chaired by
Howard Shotwell. The team's responsibilities include government relations, issues identification, identifying collaboration opportunities and ensuring Chamber members always have a "seat at the table."
We welcome your support! If you would like to get involved in the Chamber's business advocacy work, contact Mary Frazior, 817-283-1521,
maryfrazior@heb.org.
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| We thank our business advocacy sponsors:
Sponsorship does not necessarily imply endorsement of the Chamber's policy positions. |
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The Chamber is 4-Star accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. |
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