2024 Election
The 2024 Election and the sweeping government reform proposals emanating from Washington to Austin have ignited a renewed conversation about how to ensure government – at both the federal and state levels – is working for Americans and their businesses. Here in Texas, we have an unprecedented opportunity to lead the nation enhancing government efficiency by both leveraging innovative technology and identifying ways to break down the bureaucratic barriers that impede the growth and operation of our businesses.
Cutting-edge tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) have the ability to streamline bureaucracy by expediting permit approvals and modernizing agency workflows. AI offers transformative solutions to reduce costs, improve transparency and deliver faster, more reliable services.
More than one-third of Texas’ state agencies had already begun leveraging AI in 2022, according to the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), allowing them to find ways to improve how Texans interact with government. However, DIR most recently reported that “less than a quarter of state agencies are currently using or planning to use generative AI for chatbots, workforce productivity, process improvement, coding, and the like.”
As I wrote in the Dallas Morning News at the end of last year, Texas needs to embrace AI to enhance government efficiency, or risk falling behind:
“Texas is home to leaders in the development of AI, putting our state in a prime position to set the standard for responsible AI use. We can lead the nation in demonstrating how AI can streamline government operations, cut costs and improve service delivery, or we can fall behind the curve.
“Being at the forefront of technology development is not enough if we don’t apply these advancements at home to make our tax dollars work harder and cut down on waste.”
Beyond AI, there is work we can do right now to further strengthen our state’s appeal to businesses of all sizes by cutting unnecessary government regulations. The Small Business Freedom Council, on which I am honored to serve as co-Chair, has been tasked by Governor Greg Abbott with identifying “any rules, permits, fees, or regulations in your agency that may hamper small business formation, operation, and growth,” and agencies are required to deliver a report on any challenges and barriers to small business success by Monday, January 13th before the 89th Legislature commences.
As part of the Council’s work, we’ve launched a survey for small businesses to share any regulatory challenges in Texas. If you are a small business and would like to share your experience, and help guide our efforts to further enhance our state’s pro-business regulatory environment.
Overall, the formation and work of this Council is an enormous step forward in further empowering our state’s business owners and entrepreneurs to innovate and expand in Texas by eliminating unnecessary barriers that impede their growth. As the Dallas Morning News editorial board rightly pointed out shortly after the Council was established:
“Small business is the heart of Texas’ economy. Overregulation is the heart attack.
“…Some regulation is needed to keep standards high and residents safe. But aspiring small-business owners shouldn’t need to get an honorary degree in business regulation or spend thousands of dollars to hire an expert just to navigate the legal framework.”
This week, we held our second meeting of the Council, and I’m more confident than ever that the Texas business community and our fantastic economic development leaders at the state and local levels will speak with a unified voice to deliver recommendations that will ensure all job creators in our state can continue to thrive.
Members of the Texas Small Business Freedom Council meet on January 8, 2025.
For more information about Governor Abbott’s Small Business Freedom Council, click here.
Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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#43 - Wes Benedict: Bridging Policy and Community with Texans for Reasonable Solutions
Welcome to Episode #43 of Bills & Business. In this episode, Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, sits down with Wes Benedict, Grassroots Manager at Texans for Reasonable Solutions.
Wes brings years of advocacy experience and a steady, practical approach to community engagement. The conversation explores how Texas communities can navigate political tension, build cross-partisan coalitions, and create space for meaningful dialogue in an increasingly polarized environment.
They dive into the organization’s focus on key statewide issues including housing, infrastructure, water, and the evolving relationship between local and state governments. Wes breaks down why these policies matter for both everyday Texans and the business community, and how reasonable, bipartisan solutions can move conversations forward.
The episode closes with insights on how individuals can get involved, what success looks like in grassroots policy work, and what Texans should be watching as the special session unfolds.
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Michael and Susan Dell’s unprecedented $6.25 billion pledge to expand federal “Trump Accounts” aims to boost long-term savings for 25 million American children. In Lubbock, Texas Tech’s new classroom restrictions on race, gender identity, and sexuality have ignited an immediate clash over academic freedom and curriculum control. And in Northeast Texas, Rep. Gary VanDeaver’s decision not to seek reelection opens a pivotal Republican primary.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas voters approved one of the largest property tax relief packages in state history on Tuesday, raising the homestead exemption to $140,000 and granting new tax breaks for seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses. In Austin, residents rejected Proposition Q, a plan to fund public safety, homelessness programs, and city facility initiatives through a property tax hike, forcing city leaders to rework the budget and brace for service cuts. Meanwhile, Bexar County voters narrowly passed Propositions A and B, greenlighting up to $311 million in tourism-funded support for a new downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at 84, remembered by former President George W. Bush as a “patriot” whose intellect and conviction shaped decades of U.S. policy. In Texas, the Education Agency announced a sweeping takeover of Fort Worth ISD, the state’s second-largest intervention, citing years of academic underperformance and plans to install new local managers. And in Washington, a United Airlines flight was evacuated after a bomb threat, prompting an FBI investigation that later found no explosives, allowing operations to resume safely.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
