As an economic engine for the country, Texas attracts not only businesses and migrants, but also visitors from everywhere. In 2016, Texas welcomed 266 million visitors who generated more than $69 billion in direct travel spending. Many visitors come to enjoy the state’s pristine landscapes, historical landmarks, delicious food and vibrant music scene. Visitors also...
Cities charge municipal right of way fees—or franchise fees—to certain utilities for the use of the public right of way. Like taxes on businesses, these fees are passed on to customers. Texas’ Local Government Code stipulates that these fees should be “consistent with the burdens on municipalities created by the incursion of certificated telecommunications providers...
Imagine: You own a business. You love what you do, the opportunity to employ people, and satisfying customers. But the cost of doing business is escalating as local property taxes increase. Down the road, a large corporation started construction of a new building. They considered other locations before choosing your community. That corporation received...
The direct result of a new law will discourage out-of-state entrepreneurs from opening new breweries with taprooms in Texas and limit the growth of existing ones. Special interests are at work to obtain government favors, the bitter fruit of which can be partially seen in the recent shakeup at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission....
Washington should stop its efforts to increase federal oversight of state systems, while states seeking to improve outcomes for injured workers and reduce costs for employers should look in the direction of Texas.
Certain breweries can currently sell their products to ultimate consumers on their premises––HB 3287 would tighten the restrictions on such sales, leading to lost opportunities for breweries.
The Skills Development program funds specific training needs of certain businesses through public community or technical colleges or the Texas A&M Engineering Service (TEEX). In 2015, 87.4 percent of the businesses that benefited from the program were large businesses (500 or more employees). HB 108 would increase the focus of the fund on out-of-state applicants,...
A little less than a month is left in the 85th Legislature and Texas legislators, among many other issues, will have to decide whether to support one more business incentive program or the creation of one more fund to generate "economic development," and how much to fund already existing ones. It is important to remember...
Bill Analysis on HB 3324 by Carine Martinez-Gouhier
Bill Analysis for HB 3287 & SB 2083.
The Texas Model has demonstrated that it is creating the right incentives for businesses to invest in the Lone Star State: low spending per capita, low taxes, low regulation. The creation of an additional business incentive program that uses taxpayer money to provide services, including training programs, to private businesses in order to lure them...
Hollywood sells dreams; so do supporters of film incentives. Yet the promotion of economic benefits of film incentives while ignoring the costs is being increasingly panned by the critics around the country as states are considering cutting or repealing their film incentives. Similarly, SB 99 would repeal the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.