CHAMBER
TEXECUTIVE MONTHLY
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NEWS, INFORMATION, & RESOURCES FOR TEXAS CHAMBER PROFESSIONALS |
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Steve Ahlenius, IOM, CEcD
2021 TCCE Chairman
CEO, McAllen Chamber of Commerce
This last year has shown and proven the critical and vital role Chambers of Commerce play in our communities. We have gone from a society paying “lip service” to the importance of small businesses to experiencing what happens when small businesses take a massive hit from a pandemic, as well as the impact of small business closures and failures have in each of our communities.
The TCCE Board of Directors is very aware of and understands the strain and challenge every chamber executive faces as 2021 begins.
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TCCE’s entire purpose is to help you as a chamber executive to be successful. COVID-19 is hard, and its long-term impact is just now starting to be felt. Last November, the TCCE Board of Directors met to develop and plot the 2021 program of work.
One of the critical elements worked on and developed at the retreat was the development of the core values for TCCE. From a leadership standpoint, it is essential to understand and articulate what we believe and what we believe in. I want to share what was discussed and challenge the board and myself to live up to these core values.
TCCE Core Values
Integrity: To be an organization that is honest, transparent in our dealings, and building trust and honesty with accountability with TCCE members, board, and staff.
Innovation: To be an organization that is visionary, future-focused, and risk-taking in programs, events, and dialogue. To recognize and allow failure with new opportunities (permission to fail with new ideas/events).
Collaboration: To be an organization that fosters teamwork and cooperation on shared directions, goals, and outcomes. To communicate and provide a clear path forward.
Chamber-centricity: To be an organization that meets and exceeds TCCE members' expectations for events, meetings, and training, with relevant programs, making sure our TCCE members are successful.
Inclusion: To be an organization that values diversity, inclusion, and the value of talent that comes from different life experiences.
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My hope is that during the next 12 months, you will see TCCE as an organization that has put your success and training front and center of its efforts and focus. There is no more significant time or opportunity for Chambers of Commerce to deliver impactful leadership for each of our communities.
Each of you is the “X” factor in your community, and this is the moment for you to shine and make a difference. TCCE is ready to walk alongside you on this journey as we move beyond this pandemic.
Always Forward,
Steve Ahlenius
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Mark your calendar, make your reservation and get ready for TCCE Annual Conference 2021.
This year's event is packed with excellent education and idea exchange opportunities. Check out the line up to date by clicking the brochure cover or HERE .
We look forward to a great time reconvening in person, celebrating chamber success, learning and enjoying one of the jewels of Texas...the beaches of South Padre Island.
Register today for special SUPER EARLY RATE!
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87th Legislative Session Gets Underway |
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The Texas Legislature began its 140-day biennial session on January 12, 2021. Capitol leaders are still considering how to conduct the session and manage access during COVID-19. The Texas House will quickly vote on rules for operation as well as a new Speaker to replace retired Speaker Dennis Bonnen.
Republicans will have a 83-67 majority in the Texas House and 18-13 majority in the Senate. All statewide offices remains in GOP hands after an expensive and competitive 2020 election cycle.
Many familiar faces will return to the legislature, however, the House will have 16 Freshman legislators (17 after the special election in HD 68) and the Senate will have 4 new members.
State Representative Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) is the presumptive Speaker. First elected in 2014, Phelan is a fourth-generation commercial real estate developer, a former legislative staffer and current chairman of the powerful State Affairs Committee.
Texas lawmakers have two "must-do's" for 2021: passing a balanced two-year state budget and considering redistricting. (Redistricting will likely have to be done in a special session).
A few key priorities heading into the 2021 session include liability protection for COVID-19 and tort reforms to address the rise in trucking-related lawsuits. Broadband and IT modernization are also priorities highlighted by challenges around working from home, online school instruction and the Spring 2020 crash of the state’s unemployment insurance computer servers.
Although different in some ways, with nearly 1,000 bills already filed, this will turn out to still be a very interesting session with important issues facing business.
Texas has no state income tax, instead relying on sales, business franchise and oil and gas taxes. State revenues have been hit by both COVID-19 and depressed energy prices. In May, all state agencies were instructed to reduce their budgets 5%. Sales tax revenues fell by 4.8% in the second half of the 2020 and other sources, such as taxes related to alcohol, hotel occupancy, and oil and gas, were down more than 40% in the same period this year.
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What Does All This Mean?
Jim Johnson, CCE, IOM
TCCE Vice-Chairman Governance
CEO, Georgetown Chamber
Part of a good orientation program includes reviewing common language that is used around the office. This could be industry specific terms or acronyms, but the new team members should be familiar with their meanings. As you navigate TCCE’s TEXECUTIVE Monthly Newsletter, it might be helpful to have a snapshot of terms and abbreviations you might see. This month we are highlighting TCCE’s programs and relationships.
TCCE – Texas Chamber of Commerce Executive. We can’t assume you know what TCCE means! TCCE is an organization of dedicated executives and staff from chambers of commerce across the state of Texas, working together to develop business organizations that are relevant and meaningful to their respective members and communities. Think of this as your ongoing state professional development association with your peers across the state working together to find the best and most relevant information for your Chamber!
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Comptroller Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) |
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Monday, January 19, Comptroller Glenn Hegar delivered the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE), marking the "Unofficial Kick Off" of the 87th Legislative Session. The BRE informs legislators, the state and each of us how much revenue is available for the next budget cycle (FY 2022 - 23) as well as supplemental needs for current budget cycle (FY 2020 - 21).
A few highlights of the announcement include:
- Roughly $1 billion ($950 million) deficit in General Revenue as opposed to earlier projections of about $4.6 billion.
- Total of $112.5 billion available in GR and $270 billion in all funds for 2022-23 budget development.
- This amount does not account for increased funding needs for public education (TAB priority)
- Does not include 5% agency cuts which could eliminate much of the shortfall
- Federal funds could assist with some of the budget shortfall
Ultimately, the trajectory of the pandemic will still impact some of the positive trends we have seen. Despite that Texas is still well positioned for recovery from COVID-19.
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New Relief Package Includes
Loan Opportunity for Chambers
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Paycheck Protection Program loans opened for lending Monday, January 11. Congress recently passed a new Pandemic Relief Package and December 27 President Trump signed the bill. This new bill includes provisions for the inclusion of 501 (c) 6 organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, in the Paycheck Protection Program.
These are forgivable loans are available and being administered through the Small Business Administration.
Following are the basic qualifications as currently released:
- You are not a professional sports league or organized for the purpose of promoting or participating in a political campaign (Note: this will not impact chambers of commerce or trade associations);
- Your chamber does not employ more than 300 employees;
- Your chamber does not receive more than 15% of their receipts from lobbying activities;
- Lobbying activities do not compromise more than 15% of your organization’s total activities; and
- The cost of lobbying activities of the organization did not exceed $1,000,000 during the most recent tax year that ended prior to February 15, 2020.
For additional program details and how to apply, Click Here
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Good governance and excellent leadership allow chambers to achieve success. However, neither of these are born or magically happen! Get a head start for 2021 and get this event on the calendars of your volunteer leaders today.
Join TCCE and colleagues from around the state, October 21 in Georgetown as we are delighted to have (hopefully in person) Bob Harris, CAE to learn best practices in governance and leadership tools to take your chamber to the next level.
Registration details are coming soon so SAVE THE DATE and be on the lookout for more information.
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TCCE SCHOLARSHIPS ... APPLY TODAY! |
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Each year the TCCE board works hard to raise and budget funds to assist Texas chamber professionals in accessing training and professional education at TCCE events, U.S. Chamber Institute and others. If there is training you would like to attend, do not let money be the issue that prevents it.
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Aaron Cox, ext. 155
acox@txbiz.org
(512) 477-6721
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