On July 10, Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation calling the 85^th Texas Legislature for a special session. Only issues specifically listed by Governor Abbott were considered "in order" for legislative consideration. The Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the most critical legislation to extend the Texas Medical Board and four other state agencies.

Texas lawmakers focused on many additional topics. Here is a quick run-down of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce priorities:

Business Community Helps Defeat Bathroom Bill - The Austin Chamber was a major part of the Keep Texas Open for Business statewide coalition of large and small company CEOs, industry trade organizations and Chambers of Commerce who worked with Speaker Joe Straus, Chairman Cook of the House State Affairs Committee, the Central Texas delegation, and others to oppose the bathroom legislation that would have damaged Texas’ economy. The Chamber is grateful for Central Texas legislators like Senators Watson and Zaffirini and Representatives Dale, Dukes, Gonzales, Hinojosa, Howard, Isaac, Israel, and Rodriguez who all opposed or refused to co-sponsor the unnecessary legislation. This is a victory for our economy, our business community, and all Texans.

NO NEW MONEY FOR MOST AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS - In this special session the Legislature did not successfully improve our state’s school finance system. Central Texas taxpayers will still send $1.3 billion in local school property taxes to the state over the next two years and receive no additional per pupil money for major enrollment districts like Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD or Leander ISD. HB21, which did pass and is awaiting the Governor's signature, created a School Finance Commission designed to craft:

• a tax system which significantly lessens state reliance on Central Texas property taxes;
• accurately determines how much it costs to prepare students for the future economy;
• accounts for major differences in geographic costs of living; and
• determines how to allocate education dollars for 1,200 Texas school districts.

The success of this Commission in time for the January 2019 Regular Session is critical to Texas strengthening opportunities for all our students while also reducing local property taxes.

Taxation, school objectives, funding, infrastructure, local and state balance of our schools are challenging and complex. Central Texas has a unique viewpoint amid the varied views of a diverse state. The Austin Chamber looks forward to working with our statewide elected leaders and our Central Texas legislators on these issues to ensure the voice of the business community is heard.

The Governor can call the Legislature back into a second special session for unresolved issues such as congressional redistricting, Comprehensive Development Agreements, expedited permitting, or any other issues he sees fit.

The Austin Chamber is proud of our Board of Directors who was actively engaged in major issues during the special session. We are also proud of our own Dana Harris, VP of Federal and State Advocacy, who attended a number of press conferences and organized meetings for Chamber leaders with key legislators and their staff on our legislative agenda.

We will continue to keep our members updated on the progress of the entire advocacy agenda as events warrant. To stay up to date on all of our advocacy initiatives, sign up for the advocacy newsletter and action updates here.

If you have questions regarding our state agenda, contact Dana Harris, VP of Federal and State Advocacy at 512-322-5647 or Drew Scheberle, SVP of Policy and Advocacy at 512-322-5628.