Texas Business Leadership Council

Congratulations to TBLC Member Paul Foster on his appointment as Chairman of Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission!

Governor Abbott Names Foster Chair, Appoints McCall To Texas Parks And Wildlife Commission Governor Greg Abbott appointed John A. McCall Jr., O.D. to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for a term set to expire on February 1, 2031. Additionally, the Governor named Paul Foster as chair of the Commission. The Commission manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas a...

TBLC Chairman Dale Young of Summit Financial Group with an op-ed in yesterday's Rio Grande Guardian: "Mexico is proving to be a critical extension of Texas’ economic infrastructure. Strengthening these ties is not just good policy, it’s good business. In both Nuevo León and Coahuila, we found partners who understand the value of regional integration and are investing heavily in education, infrastructure, and innovation."

Young: Strengthening Our Future: Texas Business Leaders Deepen Ties with Northern Mexico – Rio Grande Guardian The chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council discusses a recent visit his group made to Nuevo León and Coahuila.

More special moments from the TBLC's trip to Mexico as we met with Gov. Manolo Jiménez Salinas of Coahuila. We look forward to helping support the growth of the Texas / Coahuila cross border relationship for the mutual benefit of our shared region of North America.

Texas continues to lead in job creation, but sustaining this growth requires a skilled workforce. House Bill 120 aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by enhancing career training opportunities in our public schools and Governor Abbott identified this as an urgent need by setting it as an emergency item this session. A key component of HB 120 is the High School Advising Allotment, designed to reduce the advisor to student ratio to provide students with more individualized guidance to navigate postsecondary options. Research indicates that students with access to dedicated advisors are more likely to enroll in and complete postsecondary workforce credentials or academic programs, directly contributing to a more skilled workforce. However, the version of HB 120 currently under consideration in the Senate Education K-16 Committee has removed this critical advising support. We urge the legislature to reconsider and preserve funding for college and career advising, either within HB 120 or through alternative legislation this session.

Texas is booming: Here’s how to make sure students are ready HB 120 will provide more resources to invest in workforce readiness.

"This is not a political issue — it’s an economic one. Texas is a national leader because we’ve invested in talent, no matter where someone was born. "

State Senate Advances TX SB 1798 to End Texas Dream Act Against Advice of Businesses, Educators, Economists, and Faith Leaders Tuesday, the Texas Senate Committee on Education advanced SB 1798 — a bill that would repeal the Texas Dream Act, one of the most successful, bipartisan workforce policies in our state’s history.

TBLC President Justin Yancy in Tuesday's San Antonio Express-News: "With a booming population and a rapidly expanding economy, the state faces a critical challenge in ensuring a sustainable water supply. The 2022 State Water Plan makes it clear that without urgent investment in water infrastructure, Texas risks a future of scarcity, economic instability and lost opportunities."

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TBLC Member Josh Hunt with an Op-ed in El Paso Inc.

"El Paso is poised for greater economic growth, provided the city can better prepare more students for careers in high-demand jobs. Increasing our educated workforce attracts more businesses, generates greater commercial tax revenue and reduces our dependence on residential taxes. But this starts with strong early education, where El Paso and Texas struggle significantly..."

Guest column: Students earn when they learn from well-trained teachers El Paso is poised for greater economic growth, provided the city can better prepare more students for careers in high-demand jobs. Increasing our educated workforce attracts more businesses, generates greater

Congratulations to Member Kelly Tomblin of El Paso Electric being named this year's Influential Woman of Character by High Desert Council, Scouting America!

Scouts honor El Paso Electric CEO Kelly Tomblin Scouting America’s High Desert Council honored El Paso Electric chief Kelly Tomblin at its Influential Women of Character Luncheon Wednesday at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing.

TBLC MEDIA: TBLC Cheers the Passage of SB 1786 Further Enhancing Higher Education Outcomes and Addressing Workforce Needs

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Congratulations to TBLC member Tim Timmerman on his appointment by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission!

Governor Abbott Appoints Timmerman, Patton To Texas Parks And Wildlife Commission Governor Greg Abbott appointed Tim Timmerman and reappointed Bobby Patton to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. The Commission manages and conserves the natural and cultural resources of Texas and provides hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opp...

"The development of data centers in Texas is not simply about economic growth — it is about securing our state’s role as a global leader in technology, energy and national security. By embracing data center investment, we can drive long-term prosperity for businesses, communities and families across our state. Texas has the power, the market and the capability."

The case for data centers in Texas — a key to economic growth and energy dominance - Houston Business Journal The president of the Texas Business Leadership Council says it's a matter of Texas remaining competitive.