Austin, TX – The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) today acknowledged the difficult financial hurdles cleared by lawmakers during the 82nd Legislature regular session as well as the urgent need to focus on growth in manufacturing if the Texas economy is to stay strong. TAM also previewed a concentrated effort to grow manufacturing in Texas.
Austin, TX - The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) marked Manufacturers’ Day today at the Capitol by urging lawmakers to think long-term when addressing the budget shortfall and to maintain an environment that has allowed manufacturing to anchor the Texas economy. TAM also announced its 2011 legislative priorities, which are rooted in the Association’s policy principles designed to protect and grow high quality manufacturing jobs.
“The long-term viability of the Texas economy depends on manufacturers’ ability to continue to invest here and grow jobs. We need sound public policy designed to fortify our economy, attract new opportunities, and protect high quality manufacturing jobs,” said Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of TAM. “TAM urges lawmakers to embrace future-minded policy that maintains our competitive edge, sustains a broad-based, low-rate tax system, and supports a predictable regulatory environment.”
Contact: Gretchen Fox, 512-694-4326
Austin, TX - The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) insisted that state leaders focus on existing jobs when considering subsidies to support costly renewable energy.A new study on renewable energy, released by The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, did not discuss job loss associated with dramatic increases in the cost of electricity which would result from mandated renewable subsidies.
“Under the study’s ‘best case scenario,’ the electric rate increase would cost a large manufacturing facility between $5 and $10 million every year,” said Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of TAM.“The financial impact on manufacturing employers would be dramatic.These are costs that are siphoned out of payroll, benefits, research and development, equipment upgrades that improve energy efficiency.You can’t raise prices without losing somewhere else.Sadly, some of that loss is going to be jobs.”
The Texas Oil & Gas Association and the Texas Association of
Manufacturers has filed a Petition For Review with the United States
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit challenging the recent action of
US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") to disapprove the Texas
Flexible Permitting Program.
Today, the Texas Oil & Gas Association and the Texas Association of Manufacturers filed a Petition with the US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, challenging the recent action of US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") to disapprove portions of the Texas air permit program.
Austin, TX – The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) today applauded Governor Rick Perry's leadership in helping to shape and maintain Texas' standing among the strongest economies in the nation.
"Governor Perry has remained committed to the economic pillars that have helped Texas weather the global economic storm — low taxes, a rational legal environment and economic development incentives," said Luke Bellsnyder, executive Director of TAM. "Financial Times, CNBC and Site Selection Magazine have all recognized Texas for its strong economy and as the best state to do business. Economic accolades like this are no accident, but are a direct result of responsible leadership and sound policies that foster economic growth."
"The Texas Association of Manufacturers is encouraged by discussions occurring in the U.S. Senate about expanding our domestic energy portfolio and promoting the use of diverse fuel sources. We can expand our nation's energy independence by bringing multiple energy sources like nuclear power online more quickly. At the same time, the Environmental Protection Agency's propensity to create moving targets with regard to environmental standards continues to threaten jobs and economic growth. The EPA could stand a dose of the measure and moderation that we're seeing from the Senate. Regulations that choke economic growth are as ominous from a regulatory perspective as from a legislative perspective."
Austin, TX – The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) today testified that manufacturers are committed to continuing to improve air quality and warned that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is choking economic growth by continually changing the air quality standards in Texas.
"To grow jobs and make investments, employers have to have a relatively clear view of their financial future. Planning for and implementing measures to meet air quality standards are a major part of that vision," said Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of TAM. "By again lowering the National Ambient Air Quality Standards – as we work to meet the existing standard – the EPA is creating uncertainty and unpredictability that chokes economic growth."
Austin, TX – The Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) today applauded the Legislature for ultimately reinforcing the pillars of the “nation’s strongest economy” in a session that at times threatened death by a thousand cuts for the Texas job machine.
“By resisting opportunities to raise taxes, eliminate economic development incentives, and dramatically increase energy costs, Texas lawmakers put Texas jobs first,” said Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of TAM. “At times during the session, Texas job creators were in danger of death by a thousand cuts, but the Legislature pulled through to maintain Texas’ standing as the ‘strongest economy in the nation.’”