With activity in the Texas Legislature picking up steam, the spotlight on our state’s elected officials brightens. Amid the focus on various bill authors and votes on different pieces of legislation, an important element in our system of representative government can be overlooked: the people.

Local elected officials, community leaders, and business leaders across various industry sectors from Tarrant County descended on the Texas Capitol this week to ensure the voice of Fort Worth is heard loud and clear in Austin during “Tarrant County Days”. The Greater Arlington Chamber and Fort Worth Chamber organized a group of more than 150 local business and municipal leaders to hear from our area’s elected officials on the work they’re conducting during the Legislature, and to communicate their positions on various issues that impact their bottom line: property taxes, workforce, education, infrastructure, and more.

Tarrant County Days attendees received policy briefings or were joined at other portions of the agenda by every member of the Tarrant County Senate and House delegations. In addition to those discussions, Comptroller Glenn Hegar joined the group for lunch on Wednesday, providing an update on the state’s unprecedented budget surplus. Secretary of State Jane Nelson – a former longtime State Senator who represented Tarrant County –  also addressed attendees at a breakfast on Thursday. Rosa Navejar was recognized with a House Resolution from Representative Ramon Romero, congratulating her on becoming the first Latina Chair of the Fort Worth Chamber.

A common theme the Tarrant County Days attendees heard from their elected officials was gratitude for doing their part to show up and make their voice heard. Serving as the voice of the Fort Worth business community during the legislative process is a pillar of the Chamber’s mission, and that voice will continue to be echoed throughout the Capitol through the end of the session.

Advocacy at Work

The Fort Worth Chamber authored a letter to Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Speaker Phelan voicing support for continued improvements to broadband access to enhance business and education opportunities across Texas. A copy of the letter can be found here.

TOP HEADLINES

National

• Morning News | Fed raises rates to highest level in 16 years, calls banking system ‘sound and resilient’
• Roll Call | Chicken-or-egg game is on as Congress barrels toward debt limit
• Wall Street Journal | Biden’s ‘Go It Alone’ Trade Deals Draw Warnings From Congress

State and Local

• Tribune | Texas Senate approves $16.5 billion for property tax cuts
• Express-News | Texas Senate pushes to add gas power plants, curb wind and solar
• NBC DFW | TxDOT Announces New Expansion to Widen SE Loop I-820
• Fort Worth Report | ‘The compensation isn’t nearly enough.’ Fort Worth teachers hope Texas Legislature delivers raises, improved benefits

UPCOMING DATES

• April 4: Fort Worth City Council Work Session, 1 p.m.
• April 6: Last Day to register to vote in May 6 Local Entity Election
• April 7: Government Affairs Committee Meeting