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November 15, 2017      5:01 PM

Select Texas House economic panel gets down to work with big names, expedited schedule

Despite objections from Freedom Caucus members who argue committee is solely about bathrooms and a social agenda, the vast majority of testimony is focused on education, innovation, workforce challenges, and more

With Gov. Greg Abbott’s stated support and amid objection from members of the Freedom Caucus, the Texas House Select Committee on Economic Competitiveness got down to work Wednesday by hearing from heavy hitters in the business community including Tom Luce, Mark Cuban and Ross Perot, Jr.

Also on hand for the day’s testimony: Representatives from Microsoft, the Dallas Stars professional hockey team, Legacy Community Health, and the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association.

“Although Texas has succeeded and flourished with a thriving economy for many years, this state is slipping in a direction that should be cause for concern,” said Chairman Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, after gaveling the committee to order for its first meeting. “In July of this year, the America’s Top States for Business study found that Texas had dropped to number four in the nation,” Cook said, adding it’s the “first time in 11 years that the Lone Star State finished outside of the top two spots in the country for business ranking.”

“That should be alarming to all Texans,” Cook said and vowed his committee would “explore why this happened.”

By Scott Braddock

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