Texas Chamber Business News
89th Legislative Session
With the 89th Legislative Session kicking off this week, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) opens its 2025 Policy Conference, featuring one-on-one fireside chats with Texas business leaders and public officials who will be at the forefront of crafting policies to make the Texas economic engine even stronger.
- Joe Lonsdale is managing partner at 8VC, an early-stage venture capital firm that manages over $6 billion in capital. He has co-founded several major companies including Palantir, Addepar, and OpenGov, and was the founding chairman of the University of Austin (UATX). He’ll speak about Texas’ unique position to support innovators and entrepreneurs who are working to promote ground-breaking solutions to complex challenges.
- Nicole Nosek is Chair of the Board of Texans for Reasonable Solutions, which works to remove barriers for Texans seeking to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. She’ll speak to how our state’s fast-growing population increases demand for housing opportunities as businesses expand and relocate to Texas.
- Adriana Cruz is the state’s Chief Economic Development officer and Executive Director of Governor Abbott’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism. She will speak to our state’s economic outlook and the work of her office in attracting businesses to relocate, expand, grow, and create jobs for Texans.
- Megan Mauro, TAB’s Executive VP and Chief of Staff and leader of the Tech Means Business Coalition will discuss policy priorities focused on maintaining the national epicenter of technology innovation and growth.
A discussion of ways to keep Texas a leader in innovation – including on policy related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) – will feature State Representatives Giovanni Capriglione (HD-98) and Oscar Longoria (HD-35) alongside Texas Space Commission Executive Director Norman Garza, Jr., Amazon’s Caroline Joiner, Thoughtful AI co-founder and CEO Alex Zekoff, and Ari Lehavi from Moody’s Analytics.
State Senator Kelly Hancock (SD-9) and State Representatives Dennis Paul (HD-129), Claudia Ordaz (HD-79), and Caroline Harris Davila (HD-52) will discuss how Texas can expand access to health care and lower costs. They’ll be joined by David Dross, who leads Mercer’s Managed Pharmacy Consulting practice nationally.
State Representative Richard Raymond (HD-42) along with TAB’s Gabriela Perdichizzi, VP of Government and External Relations; Texas Economic Development Corporation President & CEO and former Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson; Texas CHIPS Office Executive Director Ariane Marion; and Ray Martinez III, President & CEO of the Texas Association of Community Colleges will discuss how to enhance our state’s leadership in semiconductor production and workforce development.
Senators Charles Perry (SD-28) and Nathan Johnson (SD-16) will join a panel on the state of energy in Texas and solutions for powering our current and future business growth. They’ll be joined by Katharine McAden, Google’s Head of Public Policy and External Affairs for the Southern U.S.
Registration for the conference remains open. Click here for more information and to register.
Glenn Hamer
President and CEO - Texas Association of Business
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Texas is cracking down on nearly 180 complaints against teachers accused of inappropriate online comments after activist Charlie Kirk’s death, igniting a fight between free speech advocates and state leaders. At the same time, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s decision not to seek reelection sets up a major political shakeup in Texas’ largest county.
The USLege 2025 Best in Government Affairs Awards (Texas) celebrate the behind-the-scenes pros: staffers, lobbyists, association leaders, and firms who power late nights and early mornings in the Capitol!
Winners will be spotlighted on our 2025 webpage, receive a custom award badge + digital toolkit, and get promotion to 12k+ policy leaders and media partners. Nominations close October 2 - don’t miss the chance to recognize your peers!
Nominate someone today: https://uslege.involve.me/best-in-gov
TXBIZNEWS
Scotiabank Commits $60M to Expand Dallas Operations Description
On September 2, Governor Greg Abbott announced that Scotiabank will establish a major regional office in Dallas with a $60 million investment, creating over 1,020 new jobs, as detailed in a press release.
The Details:
- The project will develop a 100,000-square-foot hub in Dallas’s Victory Park neighborhood.
- Scotiabank CEO Travis Machen said, “This marks a significant investment in our U.S. operations, reinforcing our presence in Texas since the 1960s.”
- The office will prioritize local hiring, with at least 25% of jobs reserved for Dallas residents, and offer internships with Dallas College and other local institutions.
- Operations are expected to begin by late 2026, pending final approvals.
Why It Matters:
This investment bolsters Dallas’s status as a financial hub and supports Texas’s economic growth amid rising demand for financial services.
The USLege 2025 Best in Government Affairs Awards (Texas) celebrate the behind-the-scenes pros: staffers, lobbyists, association leaders, and firms who power late nights and early mornings in the Capitol!
Winners will be spotlighted on our 2025 webpage, receive a custom award badge + digital toolkit, and get promotion to 12k+ policy leaders and media partners. Nominations close October 2 - don’t miss the chance to recognize your peers!
Nominate someone today: https://uslege.involve.me/best-in-gov
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
Gov. Greg Abbott is preparing an executive order that would impose new statewide rules on THC sales, including a minimum purchase age of 21, after lawmakers failed to agree on a ban during the latest special session. At the same time, Texas Rep. James Talarico has launched his campaign for U.S. Senate, bringing his blend of progressive politics and faith-driven messaging into a crowded Democratic primary that already includes former Rep. Colin Allred and former astronaut Terry Virts. And in a separate development, New York Attorney General Letitia James has stepped into a legal fight with Texas over abortion pills, a clash over shield laws that experts say could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
The USLege 2025 Best in Government Affairs Awards (Texas) celebrate the behind-the-scenes pros: staffers, lobbyists, association leaders, and firms who power late nights and early mornings in the Capitol!
Winners will be spotlighted on our 2025 webpage, receive a custom award badge + digital toolkit, and get promotion to 12k+ policy leaders and media partners. Nominations close October 2 - don’t miss the chance to recognize your peers!
Nominate someone today: https://uslege.involve.me/best-in-gov
