Texas House Speaker Joe Straus on Thursday appointed a new committee to study and highlight the most effective ways for Texas to compete for jobs, investments and highly skilled workers.
Speaker Straus created the House Select Committee on Economic Competitiveness. Over the next 60 days, the committee will look at issues such as workforce readiness, infrastructure and state and local economic development tools. The committee will also study the reasons that employers give for choosing, or not choosing, to do business in a particular state. The committee is expected to report its findings by December 12, 2017.
One of the goals of the committee is to highlight the principles that the Texas House believes are critical to economic growth.
“Incentive funds and tax breaks are important to economic development,” Speaker Straus said. “But there’s more to the formula. Businesses want to grow in places that have outstanding schools, colleges and universities, as well as a high quality of life for their employees. This committee will articulate principles of economic growth in Texas and show that the House is committed to competing in a global and changing economy.”
The committee will be chaired by Rep. Byron Cook. Rep. Senfronia Thompson will serve as vice chair. Also serving on the committee will be Reps. Angie Chen Button, Sarah Davis, Charlie Geren, Joe Moody and Rene Oliveira.