Texas House Bill HCR147

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 5/5/11
• Refer: 5/9/11
• Report Pass: 5/19/11

Caption

Encouraging cities to promote long-term economic development and job growth by working together on the regional level to attract and retain business investment.

Impact

The resolution identifies a range of benefits that could arise from regional coordination, including increased tax revenue and job growth fueled by a united front in business attraction efforts. It aims to shift the focus from localized competition to cooperative strategies that foster conditions attractive for long-term business investments. This approach recognizes that businesses often prioritize access to skilled labor and overall quality of life over mere tax abatements, suggesting that a collaborative effort can lead to better outcomes for residents and businesses alike.

Summary

HCR147 encourages cities in Texas to promote long-term economic development and job creation by collaborating at the regional level, rather than competing against one another for business investments. The resolution highlights the detrimental effects of unhealthy competition among neighboring cities, where each offers individual incentives that may undermine the strategic potential for broader, more sustainable growth. By working collectively, cities can better harness their resources and develop comprehensive plans that benefit the entire region, rather than pursuing short-term gains that may ultimately harm local economies and communities.

Contention

Notably, HCR147 suggests that the current practice of cities independently vying for investments contributes to negative externalities, such as traffic congestion and environmental issues linked with urban sprawl. By advocating for regional collaboration, the resolution seeks to address these unintended consequences and promotes a more integrated approach to urban planning. There is an implicit acknowledgment that statewide policies may need to adapt to support such regional efforts in order to maintain competitiveness in a global marketplace.