A Busy Second Quarter
The Frisco Chamber’s Government Relations division has been busy during the second quarter of 2023! With the 88th Legislative Session in full swing, we partnered with Representative Plesa in filing HB 4342, designed to strengthen the financial literacy curriculum in Texas public high schools. We are proud to report that the bill passed the Texas House of Representatives unanimously with a vote of 144-0. During the interim, we will work with key stakeholders to assist in moving the proposed legislation through the Senate during the 89th Legislative Session. Thank you to the businesses, community, and education leaders who championed HB 4342 with us!
While our legislative priorities designed to benefit the business community were our #1 focus last quarter, the chamber also collaborated with the city, state, and national partners to protect and promote commerce. Tony Felker, President/CEO, served as a panelist on the NTC “To the Point – Advocacy Update” luncheon, updating North Texas chambers and businesses. Additionally, we hosted the Candidate Forum featuring City Council, Mayoral, Frisco ISD Trustees, and Collin College Trustees candidates in the May election.
Innovation and collaboration are two driving principles of the Frisco Chamber’s government relations strategy. In June, both Christal Howard (Interim Co-President/CEO) and Maureen Johns-Griffin (Director of Government Relations) attended the U.S. Chamber’s Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Wisconsin. At Institute, it was evident that chambers of commerce nationwide are increasing their activity in government relations because there is nobody better than chambers to advocate for our businesses! We are excited to implement some of the strategies and tactics we learned from industry pros and policy consultants as we continue to work on your behalf.
Frisco Chamber Government Relations
Here is a summary of some of the commissions, committees, and coalitions the Frisco Chamber’s government relations participated in during 2nd quarter:
- HB 4342 Testimony before Texas House Public Education Committee at State Capitol
- Frisco ISD Legislative Leadership Committee
- Candidate Forum – City Council, Mayor, Frisco ISD, Collin College
- City Council Meetings
- City of Frisco Legislative Committee Meetings
- Texas Association of Business (TAB) Advocacy Meetings
- Panther Creek High School Mock Interviews
- Regional Chamber Coalition (RCC) Legislative Advocacy Meetings
- RCC Leadership Meetings
- North Texas Commission (NTC) “To the Point – Advocacy Update” Tony Felker, Panelist
- TAB Transportation Policy Committee Meetings
- Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Government Relations Roundtable
- Frisco Downtown Advisory Board Meeting
- Congressman Keith Self District Ribbon Cutting
- Frisco ISD School Board Meetings
- AIM HIRE Texas – Policy Coalition
- TAB Education & Workforce Commission
- Collin County Business Alliance (CCBA) Luncheon with Comptroller Glenn Hegar
- Blended – Arts & Parks Mixer – City of Frisco
- City of Frisco Legislative Committee Meeting
- City of Frisco Special Called Work Session Meeting – Performing Arts Center Study
- U.S. Chamber Institute of Organizational Management (IOM) School – year 3 of 4
- State of the City Luncheon
- Collin College Strategic Planning Input Session
- City of Frisco Downtown Consultant Meetings – Frisco Chamber host
- City Council Work Session Meeting – Rail District / Velocity Group
- North Texas Commission & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Congressional Roundtable of District Directors
- City of Frisco Microtransit Study / Stakeholder Meeting
- ACCE Government Relations Roundtable
- City Council Summer Work Session Meeting (2-days) – (Council Priorities, Economic Development Corp. 2040 Vision Update, Performing Arts Study, Downtown Frisco 2040 Vision, EDC Public Policy Update, Grand Park Update)
