Engage with Legislators to Shape the Future of Texas
The future of Texas isn’t just written in the halls of the Capitol – it’s shaped by the voices of businesses like yours. The Frisco Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Legislative Power Hour, a panel discussion with four state legislators, bringing this message home. With Representative Jared Patterson, Representative Matt Shaheen, Representative Richard Hayes, and Representative-Elect Keresa Richardson at the table, the conversation underscored one key takeaway: When businesses engage with their elected officials, real change happens.
Why Your Voice Matters
It’s easy to think of policymaking as something that happens far away. But as Shona Sowell, Director of Community Relations for Texas Health Hospital Frisco, the event’s presenting sponsor, pointed out, the relationship between businesses and legislators is a two-way street. “It’s about building connections,” Sowell reminded attendees. “Lawmakers need to hear from you – the people on the ground – to truly understand how policies impact local businesses.”
And it’s not just about being heard once. It’s about returning to the table time and time again to ensure your concerns, insights, and innovative ideas help guide Texas’ policy decisions.
A Call for Collaboration
Representative Hayes summed it up perfectly: “We need you to be part of our staff.”
Think about that. Your expertise – whether it’s in real estate, education, banking, or healthcare – is invaluable to lawmakers. They’re asking you to share your knowledge, to become a trusted resource that informs the policies affecting your industry.
Representative-Elect Richardson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that collaboration is essential for tackling Texas’ most pressing challenges. “It’s about creating solutions together.”
Key Issues Shaping The Future
The panel didn’t shy away from the tough topics, as asked by moderator Chris Lee of the North Texas Commission, and centered around the Frisco Chamber’s Legislative Priorities. Here are some of the critical issues they discussed:
- Water Infrastructure: With Texas’ rapid growth, investing in water projects and ensuring reliable water supplies emerged as a top priority.
- Energy and the Grid: The discussion highlighted the need for a balanced approach to energy focused on reliability and affordability.
- Education and Workforce: Legislators discussed the complexities of school choice and funding, recognizing the critical importance of developing a skilled workforce for the future.
- Healthcare Costs: The panel acknowledged the burden of rising healthcare costs on businesses and the need for innovative solutions to address physician shortages and improve access to care.
Legislative Power Hour: Making Connections That Matter
The driving force behind the Frisco Chamber’s Legislative Power Hour – a unique opportunity for businesses to engage directly with policymakers is connecting the business community with elected officials and creating conversations that matter.
These sessions aren’t just about politics. They’re about partnership. They’re about ensuring that the policies coming out of Austin align with the real-world needs of businesses in Frisco and beyond.
Call-To-Action
Two opportunities on the horizon are Collin County Days (April 1- 2, 2025) and Denton County Days (April 2 -3, 2025.) Here, you’ll have the opportunity to join a delegation of local businesses in Austin to connect with elected officials further.
As the legislative session approaches, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce encourages its members and the wider business community to heed this call, build relationships with their legislators, and actively participate in the policymaking process.
Together, we can work to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for Texas.
