MISSION

To educate, promote and advocate for our member business community regarding relevant public policy.

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

The Governmental Affairs Committee has historically taken on the role of educator in the political arena, by providing information on issues of importance to our business community.

Governmental Affairs hosts the annual State of the City Address, Candidate Forums and other events throughout the year aimed to advocate and educate Chamber members, business leaders and the community of Coppell.

The Coppell Chamber of Commerce supports our member businesses at all levels of Government. We are here to help your business navigate policies, regulations, ordinances and laws.

2021 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The Coppell Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee and the Chamber Board of Directors have adopted the following legislative agenda for 2021:

The Coppell Chamber of Commerce ​supports​ federal, state and local economic initiatives which promote job growth, which aid corporate expansions, assist relocations and small businesses, enabling job growth.  

Members express ​support​ for continuing current funding of the Texas Enterprise Fund, the Texas Enterprise Zone Fund and tax incentives available under Section 313 of the Texas Economic Development Act. 

Members also​ support​ legislation that provides flexibility in the use of tax abatements, tax increment financing, reinvestment zones and other incentives and other incentives to promote economic development and job creation. 

Infrastructure 

The Chamber ​strongly supports​ increased funding and the efficient design of world class infrastructure to support our area’s continued rapid economic growth to ensure quality of life for our citizens and workforce. The Chamber strongly supports ANY legislation that creates a favorable environment for innovative transportation solutions:  one of our members greatest concerns is that traffic congestion and delays negatively impact their businesses and lives.  

Members express ​strong support​ for investments that improve and guarantee uninterrupted access to water as defined in the Texas Water Plan; improve roads and public transportation, and the development of the Texas High Speed Rail initiative  to facilitate movement between large cities and provide an additional alternative to road and air travel options. 

Infrastructure development is no longer just highways, water projects and power, but increasingly requires improvements in access to high speed internet and greater broadband connectivity to enhance access to public education, healthcare, e-commerce, employment and information.​  We believe recent events demonstrate that funding should provide greater internet access to marginalized populations, including those living in rural areas where fiber optic networks do not currently exist. 

While supporting infrastructure projects, members express ​strong support​ for current Eminent Domain Laws, requiring protection of business and individual property rights. 

Sales Tax Sourcing 

The Coppell Chamber of Commerce, the City of Coppell and our local community work consistently to attract business to business, warehouse, and logistics businesses. Coppell’s infrastructure development for these businesses requires taxation at origin to recoup local costs. 

Chamber members oppose efforts to change taxation to destination, as it shifts revenue to cities and regions which do not bear the costs of having these businesses in our community. 

Public Education and Workforce 

The Chamber ​supports​ funding for public education at the current levels established by HB 3 and other programs designed to prepare our future workforce through the Skills Development Program. Funding for these programs should be maintained at current budget levels.  

The State’s funding for public education remains inadequate. While some steps were taken in the last legislative session, we believe that the creation of a world class workforce requires additional public education funding reform.  The Chamber​ opposes​ funding cuts or caps for local education, and ​supports​ the elimination of the Robin Hood system.  

Support for Democracy and Local Control 

“All politics are local” and the Coppell Chamber of Commerce supports local responses by local leaders with greater awareness of local needs and issues. 

The Coppell Chamber opposes measures that would limit, reduce or remove the local control that School Districts and Cities have today regarding their ability to govern, finance, or otherwise make decisions on behalf of the businesses and community they serve.

WHO REPRESENTS ME?

City of Coppell

Coppell ISD Board of Trustees

Dallas County Community College Trustees

Dallas County Commissioners Court; Meetings held every first and third Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in the Administration Building, Allen Clemson Courtroom (411 Elm St., Dallas, Texas)

Federal and State Representatives