Letter to the Editor: Texas Legislature Must Protect the Economy

April 6, 2023

Texas Regulatory Consistency Act protects municipalities’ authority while ensuring small businesses have greater certainty in the regulatory landscape

Letter to the Editor: Texas Legislature Must Protect the Economy

DALLAS (April 6, 2023) – West Dallas small business owner and NFIB member Andy Ellard penned a letter to the editor of the Dallas Morning News in support of the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (SB 814 /HB 2127), legislation that would give local job creators one set of rules to follow statewide while ensuring cities and counties retain their authority to address local concerns. In the letter, Ellard writes:

“These pages also suggested that cities would be unable to address overgrown lots, unsafe waste storage and payday lending, among other issues. And yet, HB 2127 ensures cities retain their authority to address these matters through their public safety, zoning and other regulatory powers. Might I suggest readers look at the bill text, and not the talking points of the Texas Municipal League?”

This week, NFIB and local job creators appeared before a Senate panel in support of the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act. CLICK HERE to urge your lawmaker to stand up for small businesses. READ: FACT CHECK: Local Control Is Alive and Well in Texas CLICK HERE to read the full letter. Excerpts are below: Legislature must protect economy Dallas Morning News Andy Ellard April 6, 2023 Unlike city ordinances, which are often passed in the dead of night with little debate, no stakeholder input and devastating unintended consequences, the Legislature recently held a hearing examining House Bill 2127, also known as the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act. There, folks made their case for or against in an open forum. Concerns were heard. Changes to the bill text were made. […] These pages also suggested that cities would be unable to address overgrown lots, unsafe waste storage and payday lending, among other issues. And yet, HB 2127 ensures cities retain their authority to address these matters […]. Local control has lost all meaning — and has instead become a Trojan horse for costly and burdensome regulations that would shutter small businesses like mine. […] I hope they send HB 2127 to the governor’s desk as quickly as possible. CLICK HERE to read the full letter. Background: For the past several years, NFIB and members of the business community have sought to prohibit cities and counties from implementing policies that exceed or conflict with federal or state law related to employment leave, hiring practices, employment benefits, or scheduling practices. NFIB is a member of The Alliance for Securing and Strengthening the Economy in Texas (ASSET), a coalition of business organizations, formed to advance policies that foster economic growth and allow the free market to operate without heavy government interference in business decisions. Other partner organizations include: Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, Texas Association of Builders, Texas Society of Human Resource Management, Texas Association of Staffing, Texas Construction Association, Central Texas Subcontractors Association, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Retailers Association, Texas Association of Business, Hispanic Contractors Association, Texas Food & Fuel Association, Texas Apartment Association, Associated General Contractors- Texas Building Branch, Real Estate Councils of Texas, Texas Travel Alliance, Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, and the Theater Owners of Mid-America.

Topics:

Regulations

State:

Texas

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