February 18, 2015                                                                                                                 v. 5

To: Members of the Texas Legislature

From: Government Affairs Committee of Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce

The following items are priorities of our community for the 84th Legislative Session.

Economic Development

n  Invest in workforce development and technical training, especially in rural areas.

n  Support the construction of Lake Columbia.

Education

n  Approve a $58 million Tuition Revenue Bond for a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics facility at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA).

n  Provide funding at SFA’s Waters of East Texas (WET) Center for water research - $500,000 for each year of the biennium

n  Support additional relief funding for Texas universities to help mitigate the fiscal impact of the Hazelwood Legacy tuition exemption program.

n  Allow SFA students to consider an Intercollegiate Athletics fee.

n  Support enhanced student financial aid funding to improve access to higher education.

n  Support the recommendation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding formula and outcomes-based funding for higher education. 

n  Support local school districts’ efforts to focus on student engagement, while supporting employer’s needs for standards, assessments and accountability.

Community

n  Fund and promote Texas Certified Retirement Community program.

n  Support funding resources and assistance for rural hospital and indigent health care.

n  Oppose legislation which encroaches on local government’s ability to self govern.

n  Provide funding for adequate broadband throughout rural counties.

Transportation and infrastructure

n  Support continued work on an east-west highway corridor through East Texas, such as improving Hwy 21 and Hwy 103.

n  Support upgrade of State Highway 204 to four-lane or a “super two” between Jacksonville and Nacogdoches. This could create a direct extension of U.S. Highway 175 to U.S. Highway 59, improving safety and commerce from Dallas to East Texas.

n  Support funding for the I-69 initiative. Support funding for South US 59 direct connect at Loop 224.

F:/Gov affairs/legislative agenda 2015