Guiding Principles

The Public Policy Council will have the authority to establish positions and act on legislative issues as outlined in the legislative agenda and as long as they are consistent with these Guiding Principles. If an issue arises, that does not meet these criteria, the Chamber’s Executive Committee can review and approve any issues or recommendation arising in the event action must be taken prior to the next scheduled Board of Directors meeting.

  • GKCC supports and will promote the continued development of the region’s key economic sectors including Fort Hood, military and defense, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, construction, knowledge-based and service industries.
  • GKCC supports a comprehensively planned, constructed, and well-maintained infrastructure as a key to long-term economic development.
  • GKCC will support collaborative, cost-effective solutions to regional infrastructure challenges.
  • GKCC will encourage that business-minded individuals, knowledgeable of the community’s needs, be elected to office and we will encourage business-minded citizens to volunteer for community service.
  • GKCC will support the free-enterprise system.
  • GKCC will support economic development initiatives which enhance the competitiveness of new and existing businesses.
  • GKCC will support equity in tax and fee structures, regulations and administrative procedures that produce positive economic growth in the region.
  • GKCC will support a public education system, working in partnership with the business community, to prepare all students to be successful in the workplace or in post-secondary education.
  • GKCC will support creative and adequate funding methods to ensure that our region’s public school systems and institutions of higher learning can remain effective in their quest for excellence.
  • GKCC will support high quality, cost-effective government services offered in a manner conducive to the growth of competitive businesses.
  • GKCC will support the privatization and consolidation of services throughout the region when these actions are in the best interest of the public.
  • GKCC will support reasonable actions that protect and conserve the environment.
  • GKCC will support market-based changes to the health care system to produce competitiveness without sacrificing quality of care.
  • GKCC will support equal opportunity for all citizens of the region.

State Priorities

GENERAL COMMUNITY PRIORITIES

  • We support the notion that the best decision is made closest to the point where the decision is implemented. We support retaining local control.
  • We oppose unfunded mandates.
  • We oppose caps on ad valorem appraisals/collections.

HIGHER EDUCATION

  • We support the issuance of $40 million in Tuition Revenue Bonds to construct Multi- Purpose Building III on the campus of TAMUCT.
  • We support the Exceptional Item Request in the amount of $1.1 million to create a University Center for Civic and Community Engagement at TAMUCT.
  • We support the Exceptional Item Request in the amount of $1.5 million to facilitate the transition of TAMUCT into an active partnership with Temple College and TSTC-Waco in the development of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center.
  • We support the expansion of College Credit for Heroes to more institutions of higher education, allowing service members and veterans to achieve their education credentials in the most expeditious way.
  • We support the continued exemption from TSI testing for service members, relying instead on proven local controls to ascertain academic readiness.
  • We support incentives for technology deployment and distance learning to avoid duplication and to make education more affordable.
  • We support incentives that reward collaboration with community colleges and high schools to create dual credit opportunities.
  • We support incentives that reward the creation of meaningful tuition guarantee programs.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

  • We oppose provisions contained in SB393 that amend the Texas Education Code to prohibit a peace officer from issuing a citation to a student who is alleged to have committed a school offense.
  • We support the implementation and evaluation of a well-designed school choice pilot program.
  • We support changes to TEC Section 11.1542 that will allow districts the opportunity to sell or lease district property, without restrictions, to other entities such as non-profits, governmental entities, or for profit companies where the exchange could be advantageous to districts.
  • We support provisions that allow an entity participating in TRS-ActiveCare to opt out of the program.
  • We support an increase in the state’s contribution for school employee health insurance.
  • We support incentives that reward collaboration to create dual credit opportunities.
  • We support increased funding for on-line curriculum and on-line testing.
  • We support teacher advancement initiatives, such as differentiated pay, to help alleviate the shortage of math and science teachers.
  • We support legislation that allows school districts to financially reward campuses that achieve exemplary student performance.
  • We support measures that give school districts the flexibility to meet the needs of their students.
  • We support at will employment for teachers and the removal of the state from setting the terms and conditions of employment.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  • We support the creation of a Military Installation Defense Fund to be awarded to defense communities to apply to projects on or around military installations to retain or expand them in Texas.
  • We support the continuation of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund on the provision that a portion of the fund be reserved for the Military Defense Fund.
  • We support the continuation of the Texas Enterprise Fund on the provision that the following requirements be added on each project for which funding is considered or awarded: a written application, an economic impact analysis and a written performance agreement.
  • We support increased funding for the Skills Development Program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.

ENERGY

  • We support healthy economic growth in Texas by promoting the production of adequate supplies of all forms of energy at competitive prices.
  • We oppose increased taxes and fees on energy sources with the exception of fees that will be dedicated to regulatory programs that will improve the oversight and approval of energy development projects.
  • We encourage the conservation of resources.
  • We oppose the use of subsidies that distort market economics.

HEALTH CARE

  • We support the reliance on market forces to correct the major cost and quality deficiencies in the U.S. health care system.
  • We support market driven health care policies that allow for the continuation of employer-sponsored voluntary health care coverage.
  • We support legislation to promote consumer-directed health care models in which consumers determine the level and types of coverage they purchase.
  • We support legislation that empowers employees and consumers with information regarding the cost and quality of health care services to allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
  • We support legislation to allow Texans to purchase health insurance across state lines.
  • We support the expansion of telemedicine.
  • We oppose additional mandates on employers providing health care.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

  • We support Texas law that requires environmental agencies to estimate the cost and net benefits to regulated entities before adopting any major proposed rule.
  • We support efforts to ensure that endangered species regulatory decisions are based on valid scientific evidence and that the interests of Texas taxpayers and businesses are represented before federal decision makers.
  • We support incentives for the development and demonstration of new energy or pollution reduction technologies that do not distort the market place.
  • We support legislation to streamline the permitting process.
  • We support legislation that affirms the rights and powers of state government and limits intrusion by federal agencies in the state’s implementation of delegated environmental programs.
  • We oppose legislation that places additional requirements on business and industry without a firm technical basis or appreciable benefit to the environment.
  • We oppose arbitrary emission limits established in statute that do not provide flexibility for site-specific conditions and the future development of technology control.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

  • We support legislation that allows landlords limited protection against liability solely for renting or leasing to someone with a criminal record, unless the landlord knew the conviction was for a violent or sexually violent offense.

EMPLOYMENT

  • We support pay equity.
  • We support Texas’ status as a Right-to-Work state.
  • We support zero tolerance for the presence of alcohol or illegal drugs on the job.
  • We oppose union dues check off.
  • We oppose increases in the minimum wage.
  • We oppose expansion of collective bargaining rights in the public sector.

BUSINESS

  • We oppose taxation of access to the Internet.
  • We oppose regulation of the Internet.
  • We oppose legislation that infringes on a company’s right to do business anywhere they deem desirable.

TRANSPORTATION

  • We support the creation of a formula that will result in the equitable distribution of funds from new sources to the high growth areas of the state. Development of the formula should be transparent and feature public input.
  • We support the continuation of local pass-thru financing.
  • We support the construction of toll roads where there are other transportation options available to users.
  • We support ending the diversion of motor fuel taxes to non-transportation expenses and dedicating a portion of the tax on motor vehicle sales to transportation.

WATER

  • We support incentives to local and regional water providers to pursue water supply and conservation strategies.
  • We support efforts to streamline the process to construct new reservoirs.

FEDERAL PRIORITIES

GENERAL COMMUNITY PRIORITIES

  • We support the notion that the best decision is made closest to the point where the decision is implemented. We support retaining local control.

EDUCATION

  • We support continued and/or enhanced Impact Aid Funding for school districts.
  • We support the adoption of “hold harmless” language to delay reductions in Impact Aid and allow school districts serving Fort Hood time to adjust.
  • We support the restoration of tuition assistance funding to 24 Semester Credit Hours.
  • We support the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, especially as it relates to student financial aid.
  • We support legislation that eliminates federal out-of-state authorization/licensure requirements, particularly for military education.
  • We support legislation and policies that streamline federal reporting and disclosure requirements, eliminating those that are unnecessary or overly burdensome.
  • We oppose current administration proposals to rank colleges and universities to determine aid distribution.
  • We oppose unfunded mandates.

DEFENSE

  • We support authorization of a Base Realignment and Closure round to save funds and improve efficiency of military installations.
  • We support repeal of that portion of the 2011 Budget Control Act that created sequestration.
  • We support working with the Department of the Army to develop strategic plans to reduce Army spending.

TRANSPORTATION

  • We support the addition of those portions of US Highway 190 built to interstate standards to the Federal Interstate Highway System.
  • We support the return of more federal gasoline tax revenue generated in Texas to Texas.

WATER

  • We oppose Section 2014 of S. 601 in the Water Resources Development Act which gives the Army Corps of Engineers unprecedented discretion to adjust reservoir operations without Congressional authorization.
  • We oppose the Environmental Protection Agency and US Army Corps of Engineers proposed rule that broadens the jurisdiction of both agencies under the Clean Water Act to include “other waters” located in isolated places as “Waters of the U.S.” without requiring case-specific evaluation.

PUBLIC SAFETY

  • We support the continued funding of the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant Program within FEMA.
  • We support adding criteria to the SAFER Grant formula that would account for impacts of military installations on emergency services.
  • We support the continued funding of the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Grant Program within the U.S. Department of Justice.
  • We support adding criteria to the COPS Grant formula that would account for impacts of military installations on local law enforcement operations.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  • We support maintaining or enhancing the funding of the Community Development Block Grant Program in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

  • We support the Community Access Preservation Act to allow the use of public, educational, or government access television funding to allow for maintenance and operations in addition to capital costs.

ENERGY

  • We support the production of adequate supplies of all forms of energy at competitive prices.
  • We support the conservation of resources.
  • We oppose the use of subsidies that distort market economics.
  • We oppose increased taxes and fees on energy sources with the exception of fees that will be dedicated to regulatory programs that will improve the oversight and approval of energy development projects.

HEALTH CARE

  • We support the reliance on market forces to correct the major cost and quality deficiencies in the U.S. health care system.
  • We support market driven health care policies that allow for the continuation of employer-sponsored voluntary health care coverage.
  • We support legislation to promote consumer-directed health care models in which consumers determine the level and types of cover they purchase.
  • We support legislation that empowers employees and consumers with information regarding the cost and quality of health care services to allow consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
  • We support legislation to allow Texans to purchase health insurance across state lines.
  • We support the expansion of telemedicine.
  • We oppose additional mandates on employers providing health care.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

  • We support federal law that requires environmental agencies to estimate the cost and net benefits to regulated entities before adopting any major proposed rule.
  • We support efforts to ensure that endangered species regulatory decisions are based on valid scientific evidence and that the interests of Texas taxpayers and business are represented before federal decision makers.
  • We support incentives for the development and demonstration of new energy or pollution reduction technologies that do not distort the market place.
  • We support legislation to streamline the permitting process.
  • We support legislation that affirms the rights and powers of state government and limits intrusion by federal agencies in the state’s implementation of delegated environment programs.
  • We oppose legislation that places additional requirements on business and industry without a firm technical basis or appreciable benefit to the environment.
  • We oppose arbitrary emission limits established in statue that do not provide flexibility for site-specific conditions and the future development of technology control.

EMPLOYMENT

  • We support pay equity.
  • We oppose increases in the minimum wage.
  • We oppose the expansion of collective bargaining rights in the public sector.
  • We oppose union dues check off.

BUSINESS

  • We oppose taxation of access to the Internet.
  • We oppose regulation of the Internet.
  • We oppose legislation that infringes on a company’s right to do business anywhere they deem desirable.
  • We oppose attempts to regulate the nation’s financial services industry without a published analysis of those regulations that demonstrates appreciable benefits and a cost saving to the consumer. Such analysis should be transparent in that it should include prior notice, the opportunity for public comment and a public hearing.

IMMIGRATION

  • We support legal immigration.

HOMELAND SECURITY

  • We support a secure border.