North Texas Commission Launches New Initiative to Support Business-Friendly Legislation

North Texas Advocacy Coalition to Bring Together Business, Higher Education, Municipalities and Chambers

North Texas – The North Texas Commission today announces a new initiative, the North Texas Advocacy Coalition, to convene the region’s business community to strengthen and amplify the business-friendly voice in Austin during the 86th Legislative Session. In addition to the business community, the North Texas Advocacy Coalition will include chambers of commerce, municipalities, higher education institutions and other partner organizations.

“During the last session, we saw the true power that our region’s stakeholders can wield when we all work together for a common cause,” said James D. Spaniolo, president and CEO of the North Texas Commission. “Our goal for the coalition is to keep Texas, and North Texas, business friendly, to support our municipalities and higher education institutions, and to ensure that the businesses that have moved here in the past several years feel welcomed.”

The initial focus of the North Texas Advocacy Coalition will be helping the region’s business community encourage their employees to participate in the March primaries. Members of the Coalition will be encouraged to participate in sub-committees focused on issues including education, transportation, business competitiveness and communication. These task forces will meet to develop a legislative agenda, supporting tactics and communication. The North Texas Advocacy Coalition will remain active throughout the 2019 Legislative Session.

“The North Texas Commission is in favor of pro-growth state tax and regulatory policies that grow our economy and attract investment,” said Chuck Allen, managing director, Government Affairs for American Airlines and Chairman of the North Texas Commission. “We encourage policymakers to work to ensure such investment is unfettered and that Texas capitalizes on innovation to fuel additional job growth, business expansion, and investment. Fortunately, this state has a rich history of doing just that, and our goal is to preserve that path forward.”

Organizations that have signed on to participate in the North Texas Advocacy Coalition include:

Alliance Operating Services
American Airlines
AT&T
BNSF Railway
City of Grand Prairie
Fidelity Investments
The Rios Group
Texas Association of Business
Texas Competes
Texas Health Resources
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The initiative was announced one year from the swearing in of the 86th Legislative Session.

Established in 1971, the North Texas Commission is a public-private partnership of businesses, cities, counties, chambers of commerce, economic development entities and higher education institutions in the North Texas Region. The North Texas Commission convenes stakeholders, educates and advocates in support of regional priorities that advance the vibrancy of North Texas.

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