TAM in the News

Published Letter to Editor: TAM Applauds Extension of Chapter 313 to Strengthen Business Climate

June 17, 2011
Amarillo Globe-News
Luke Bellsnyder, Texas Association of Manufacturers

Published Letter to Editor: TAM Says 'Can the Cap on Breweries'

May 18, 2011
Houston Chronicle
Luke Bellsnyder, Texas Association of Manufacturers

Published Letter to the Editor: TAM not sold on bottle returns

April 28, 2011
Houston Chronicle
Luke Bellsnyder, Texas Association of Manufacturers

Opinion: The critical importance of Texas' Emerging Technology Fund

October 16, 2010
Dallas Morning News
Kowalski, Clark, Hammond and Bellsnyder

Published TAM Oped: First, do no harm with energy policy

September 7, 2010
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Luke Bellsnyder, Texas Association of Manufacturers

CORPUS CHRISTI — We’ve all heard the saying “everything is bigger in Texas.” When people envision the Lone Star State, they see 10-gallon hats, wide open spaces, immense economic opportunity, and a state bursting with pride. Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes our energy bills.Energy is the lifeblood of all Texas commerce. All facets of the Texas economy are undeniably affected by energy costs, none perhaps so critically as manufacturers and the 810,000 Texans they employ. Electricity is already one of the highest costs for manufacturers that provide high quality jobs, high paying jobs. In fact, Texas manufacturing workers earn 41 percent more than the rest of the workforce.These jobs and manufacturers’ central role in the Texas economy prompted the Texas Association of Manufacturers to urge lawmakers to exercise caution when considering subsidizing expensive renewable energy sources. A recent study released by the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation recommended mandated use of renewable energy but did not discuss job loss associated with dramatic increases in the cost of electricity that would result from mandated renewable subsidies.

Dallas Fed says Texas factory activity remained sluggish in July

July 27, 2010
Dallas Morning News
By Brendan Case

Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, said the survey results were in line with what his membership is seeing. But he also pointed out that Texas has been gaining manufacturing jobs in recent months.   "We're certainly not any worse off than other manufacturing states," he said. Survey indexes designed to reflect six-month expectations of manufacturers

EPA comes under increased fire from Texas

June 12, 2010
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By Dave Montgomery

AUSTIN -- The war between Texas and the Environmental Protection Agency escalated on dual fronts Friday as two prominent industry groups announced plans to sue the agency and Texas ranchers warned of a devastating economic backlash because of the EPA's polices on greenhouse gases.

Texas factory activity rose in March, Dallas Fed survey shows

March 30, 2010
Dallas Morning News
BRENDAN CASE

"We're certainly not contracting, as we were," said Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers. "By and large, the outlook is better than it has been."  But Bellsnyder warned against adopting "a false sense of security." The strength of the recovery remains in doubt, and producers also face uncertainty over such issues as regulatory matters and future health costs, he said.

TXOGA, TAM PUSH BACK AGAINST PROPOSED SMOG STANDARDS BY EPA

February 3, 2010
Texas Energy Report
John Moritz

“To grow jobs and make investments, employers have to have a relatively clear view of their financial future,” Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of the manufacturers’ group, said in the release issued after he testified at the EPA hearing.