TAM Updates
Published Letter to Editor: TAM Applauds Extension of Chapter 313 to Strengthen Business Climate (Amarillo Globe-News)
Letter: Business climate better
June 17, 2011
The Texas House of Representatives just took an important step to keep Texas attractive to companies looking to create jobs and invest here. As lawmakers were discussing ways to bolster the economy, they extended the Texas Economic Development Act that allows school districts to offer temporary tax incentives to attract economic development projects like Toyota in San Antonio and Caterpillar in Seguin.
The program is set to expire in 2014 and a two-year extension is critical because major new investment projects require a long lead time. Many promising projects currently on the drawing boards may not break ground for several years.
If companies were to see that this program was set to expire soon, they would look to create new jobs elsewhere - in states where property taxes are lower and incentives are greater and more certain.
As companies are looking to make new investments again in the wake of the worst recession in 75 years, the House took a solid step to grow more jobs here. We hope the Senate is equally committed to keeping Texas moving in the right direction.
Luke Bellsnyder
Texas Association of Manufacturers
Austin
Email this pagePublished Letter to Editor: TAM Says 'Can the Cap on Breweries' (Houston Chronicle)
Letter to Editor
By Luke Bellsnyder
May 18, 2011
Regarding "Brewery legislation runs into possible bottleneck" (Page D1, May 11), manufacturers get to preview their wares and consumers can make informed decisions when people have an opportunity to sample the goods. That's why a proposal that would allow visitors to obtain small amounts of beer in sealed containers after touring Texas breweries is a good idea.
The original bill, which didn't limit which breweries could offer tours, is a win for everyone. Consumers would get to take home a memento from their day at the brewery. Brewers could showcase their craft. And the amount available after the tour would be so small, it wouldn't interfere with regular sale and distribution of beer. Unfortunately, some saw the bill as opportunity to play favorites in an industry and placed a cap on the size of breweries allowed to participate.
Brewery tours and beer samples should be an option at all Texas breweries. Allowing small, mid-sized and large brewers to sell samples after tours will in no way affect beer distributors' monopolies. Lawmakers should remove the cap and send the proper message: Texas is open for business, of all sizes.
— Luke Bellsnyder, Texas Association of Manufacturers, Austin
Published Letter to Editor: TAM Not Sold on Bottle Deposit Bill (Houston Chronicle)
Houston Chronicle
Not sold on bottle returns
April 28, 2011
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7540326.html
Bottle deposit programs also come with unintended consequences. Forced deposit programs carry high costs as grocery and convenience stores must set up special infrastructure and staff to receive, move, sort and store returned containers; these are costs that are ultimately shouldered by consumers. Fraud also plagues forced deposit programs when consumers buy beverages in non-deposit states and redeem them elsewhere. Texas is surrounded by non-deposit states and fraud would leave Texans with the tab for our neighbors’ trash.
Finally, forced deposit programs jeopardize community recycling programs by diverting away valuable revenue generators like aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
Instead of mandating a narrowly focused deposit system for beverage containers, manufacturers would rather see expanded participation in proven, comprehensive recycling programs. Greater education and outreach and innovative use of incentives would be a better investment to improve recycling efforts in our state.
Texas Association of Manufacturers, Austin
TAM Warns of Energy Price Hikes from Renewable Mandates and Subsidies
During testimony this week on bills that would mandate use of renewable energy, the Texas Association of Manufacturers warned lawmakers of dramatic increase in energy prices that come with renewable mandates and subsidies. The following is an excerpt from the Austin American-Statesman article about the proposals:
Phillip Oldham with the Texas Association of Manufacturers , which represents about 400 manufacturers, predicted higher bills for most of his members if the legislation passes.
The largest manufacturers, such as refineries and semiconductor plants, would be able to opt out of the program, but Oldham said the majority of his members would pay more.
"From our perspective, it's an energy tax," he said.
Oldham didn't offer projected increases in electric bills for manufacturers but said the Houston school district, for example, would see a $500,000 annual increase in its utility bill.
Click here to read the full article: Austin American-Statesman, “Austin legislators push solar energy measures,” March 17, 2011
State’s Job Creators Highlight Tenuous Economic Recovery; Urge Lawmakers to Protect Long-Term Viability of Manufacturing
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.”
MANUFACTURERS: Consider Existing Jobs; Avoid Costly Subsidies for Renewable Energy
TAM Touts Properly Structured Incentives – Not Subsidies – to Diversify Energy Portfolio
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.” Read more.
TAM and TXOGA Sue EPA Over Air Program
Joint Statement from TXOGA and TAM on EPA Lawsuit
June 11, 2010
CONTACT: Gretchen Fox, 512-694-4326
The following is a joint statement from the Texas Oil & Gas Association and the Texas Association of Manufacturers:
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. We have taken this step because we believe the EPA's action is not supported by applicable law. In addition, the existing Texas air program is helping to improve the state's air quality. The administrative flexibility provided by the program actually provides incentives for industries to reduce emissions beyond what would otherwise be required.
Many of our member companies were surprised by EPA's recent action and are attempting to work with state and EPA officials to resolve the issue. However, this Petition had to be filed to meet a judicial deadline to ensure all avenues are available to address what we see as an improper disapproval of an important element of the Texas air permit program.