Joe Straus Creates Committee To Review Texas Economic Development Projects

On Friday, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus created the Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives, which will assess the economic benefit provided by state and local incentive programs and make recommendations to make those programs more effective and efficient. I was appointed to the thirteen member committee. As a member of the Texas Legislature, I have been an active voice for fiscal conservatism, streamlining government, reducing burdensome overregulation and driving economic development that spurs the economy and creates jobs in Texas.

I appreciate the Speaker's leadership on this issue and am honored to have been asked to serve on this select committee. It is clear to me that because of the natural evolution of the Texas economy, certain of our state-based incentive programs, however well-intentioned, may not be appropriately structured for the current economic climate, and in some cases, may have even outlived their efficacy. It is imperative for Texas, and for me as a fiscally-conservative steward of our citizens' tax dollars, that we critically evaluate these programs on a regular basis to protect against crony capitalism and wasteful corporate welfare programs that do not directly benefit the state. I look forward to working with my fellow committee members on this crucial issue.

The Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives will be chaired by Rep. Angie Chen Button of Richardson, and Eddie Rodriguez of Austin will serve as vice chair. Also serving on the committee will be Reps. Trent Ashby of Lufkin, Joe Deshotel of Port Arthur, John Kuempel of Seguin, Jodie Laubenberg of Murphy, J.M. Lozano of Kingsville, Borris Miles of Houston, Poncho Nevarez of Eagle Pass, René Oliveira of Brownsville, Mary Ann Perez of Pasadena, Drew Springer of Muenster and me.

The committee will determine the types of economic development projects that offer the most benefit to the state and suggest opportunities to focus on such projects. It will also discuss how to make programs more efficient.