Latest Happenings by the NFIB/Texas Executive Director Will Newton
Greetings NFIB/Texas members,
Things are really heating up at the Texas Capitol and NFIB has been very active working on your behalf. Recently, we had several NFIB members participate in a press conference with Congressman Mike McCaul (Austin) and State Rep. Kevin Roberts (Houston) in support of their legislation that mandates removal of regulations before an agency can implement a new regulation. This is key legislation for NFIB at the state and federal level and we were proud to be there in support. Representative Roberts legislation is H.B. 1290 and Congressman McCaul’s is H.R. 674 or frequently referred to as the One In, One Out Act.
On Tuesday, February 28 the Texas Senate considered SJR 38 that was originally designed to remove Texas’ call for a federal balanced budget amendment in lieu of having a Constitutional Convention to consider more items. We requested that the resolution be amended to keep alive our call for a federal balanced budget. I’m happy to report that the author of the resolution, NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award recipient Senator Craig Estes (Wichita Falls), took our friendly amendment and the Texas Senate passed SJR 38 with our amendment. It was a key vote for NFIB and it will be recorded in the 2017 NFIB/Texas Voting Record. Thank you Senator Estes!
Last week the Senate Finance committee will hear two key bills for small business, SB 17 by Senator Jane Nelson (Flower Mound) which eliminates the dreaded state franchise tax over a period of time by using excess tax revenue to buy it down. Another pro-small business bill is SB 575 by Senator Charles Schwertner (Georgetown) which raises the small business exemption of the franchise tax to $4 million up from the current exemption of $1 million. SB 17 passed the committee and will head to the full Senate for debate soon. SB 575 will likely face a tougher road as it faces stiff opposition from larger businesses.
Be sure and read this week’s Spilman Report for more details on NFIB/Texas’ activities around the State Capitol.
As always, thank you for letting us represent your interests at the Texas Capitol. It is an honor and a pleasure to work to ensure your right to own, operate and grow your business.
Thank you.
Will Newton
NFIB/Texas Executive Director
