Governor Greg Abbott says one of his priorities for the Texas legislature this year will be to replace a program that provides incentives for businesses that relocate to a community or expand.
"Chapter 313" had been in place since 2001 but expired when lawmakers chose not to renew the program two years ago.
"Chapter 313 is gone," he said at an event with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce this week. "For anybody here who's going to do any lobbying or discussion in Austin, never bring up the numbers 313. It leaves a bad taste in people's mouths."
Abbott says he wants the legislature to pass "robust economic tools" before the end of this session, saying the state may not renew Chapter 313 but should adopt measures that can spur economic development.
He cites the decision of a semiconductor manufacturer to build a plant in New York over Texas as a reason for the need to act. In October, Micron announced it would spend up to $100 billion on a plant in Central New York.
"I consider New York to be a very bad state for business," Abbott says. "Look at the cost of living. Look at the taxes. Look at the crime."
Abbott says Texas could soon announce a $100 billion plan to update transportation infrastructure.
"When I was a kid, Texas had a population of about ten million. Today, we have a population of about 30 million people," he says. "That puts extraordinary burden on our infrastructure."
He says the legislature will also work with the Public Utility Commission to ensure the power grid is stable and will be able to handle additional population growth. Abbott was reelected in November and says during this term, the grid will add enough power for one million additional homes.
Abbott says he also wants the legislature to revisit an issue that failed in 2021. He wants the state to establish a court that would handle business disputes.
Delaware has a "Court of Chancery" consisting of seven judges who hear cases involving corporations and financial matters.
"We need to have the intellectual, methodical, judicial approach that is deserving of these types of disputes," Abbott says.
Abbott says those cases in Texas now go before a jury whose members may not have a background in business.
"You may run a hundred million dollar business or a multi-billion dollar business, but as CEO, you're no longer CEO of that company when you turn the future of that company over to 12 jurors in that jury box," he says.
Abbott proposed the same idea two years ago. He did not take questions during or after the event.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news