Earlier in February, the NFIB/Texas Leadership Council (LC) convened in San Antonio. These meetings bring in LC members from every corner of Texas from Amarillo to Corpus Christi, from Dallas to Houston, all gathered to talk about one thing, the climate for small business in the Lone Star State and the federal, state, and city regulatory impact. This is a time for fellowship of small business owners learning from each other how to navigate the complex world of taxation and government bureaucracy and to plan for the future.
Malaise Norfleet (NFIB/Texas Senior Grassroots Manager) and the Texas team put together a small business rodeo theme in honor of the San Antonio rodeo month and packed a full two day agenda for the LC. A perk of serving on the LC is the exclusive insights into federal and state politics that impact the small business environment and guest speakers like Matt Mackowiak, a renowned political and communications consultant and the founder and President of Potomac Strategy Group, LLC who has been featured in Forbes, Fox News, CNN, BBC News, Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, and MSNBC (just to name a few).
While we were sad to see Michael Smith of STA Wealth Management retire from the LC chair role, we were also excited to welcome Greg Brown of W.W. Cannon, Inc. a member since 2005. Chairman Brown has played a crucial role in being the voice of small business in Texas, tirelessly advocating for tax reform, providing his testimony, and speaking to a number of media outlets to share his story including his latest feature in PBS News Hour.
The LC is designed to provide direct NFIB membership input and counsel into the legislative and public policy relations agenda of NFIB. Members of the LC serve in an advisory capacity only. NFIB policy will be determined based on the Member’s response to the state and federal member ballots, surveys, discussion at council meetings, and the judgment of NFIB staff as bills move through the legislative process. The members of the LC, through their voluntary participation, are committed to promoting and implementing the principles embodied in the mission statement of NFIB.
Overall, the meeting was a success and we all vowed to make our voices heard by being a #SmallBizVoter in the Texas primaries and taking stock of the new small business charges for the next Texas Legislative Session. Until we meet again.
