The Select Committee on Economic Development was created during the last session of the Legislature to ensure economic development initiatives in Texas are effective in encouraging new investment, employment and income, and in retaining existing facilities and jobs.  The committee will evaluate existing state and local incentives and policies and make recommendations regarding their continuation, elimination, or modification.It also will study how incentives offered in Texas compare to those available in other states and countries and how those differences affect business decisions about where to invest.

Texas House Speaker Straus has stressed the importance of the committee’s work in developing objective criteria based on sound economic principles in order to evaluate the effectiveness of economic development policies.

The 12-person committee will recommend an economic development policy for the state of Texas to the 83rd Legislature, which will convene in January 2013.

More information on the legislation creating the Select Committee on Economic Development can be found at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB2785

More details on committee dates and reports will be published in the HillCo Client Advisory.

Members appointed to the committee (click on links for more details on appointees):

Governor’s Appointees

James Epperson Jr.

Stacey Gillman Wimbish

Maher Maso

Carlton Schwab

Lt. Governor’s Appointees

Sen. Mike Jackson

Sen. Florence Shapiro

Drayton McLane

Brint Ryan

Speaker’s Appointees

Rep. Angie Chen Button

Rep. John Davis

Charles W. Matthews

Andrew H. Card, Jr.