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This week, Texas Association of Business (TAB), joined by nearly 70 chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and major employers across the state, recently sent a joint letter calling on the 89th Texas Legislature to pass House Bill 105 – reaffirming that Texas is open for business.

Our nation is facing a new era of reindustrialization – and Texas must lead the way. As global supply chains shift and competition intensifies, we have a golden opportunity to solidify our position as the premier destination for business, and HB 105 is that opportunity. Particularly as California has just overtaken Japan as the world’s 4th largest economy, Texas needs a smart and even more aggressive economic development posture to ultimately surpass the Golden State in the coming years. By strengthening the tools already in place, HB 105 positions our state to remain competitive, resilient and future-ready.

HB 105 solidifies the Lone Star States’ upward economic trajectory by modernizing and strengthening the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation (JETI) Act – a bold economic incentive program to assist capital-intensive economic development projects. Yet, despite its potential, only 14 applications have been submitted, and only two have been approved since its creation. Meanwhile, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, and may other states are charging ahead with increased competitive incentives and are steadily gaining ground. To remain competitive and ensure Texas continues to lead, we must act now to secure transformational projects and our state’s economic future.

HB 105 addresses this critical shortfall by refining wage requirements to better reflect regional economic realities. By updating the wage requirements to 110% of the average county manufacturing wage, the bill ensures that wage standards are both competitive and locally relevant, altering the one-size-fits-all statewide standard that sidelines rural and economically distressed communities. This adjustment will unlock greater statewide participation, attract high-skill jobs, and incentivize the hiring of Texas-made talent for transformative projects across the state.

This wage adjustment isn’t about reforming standards – it’s about recognizing that economic competition in Dallas or Austin looks very different from that in El Paso or Laredo. To fully leverage our growing workforce and ensure no region is left behind, Texas must embrace the economic and business diversity of all its communities and empower them to benefit from the JETI program.

It’s no overstatement to say that billions of dollars in investments and thousands of jobs are at stake if we do not make the generational investments necessary that will supercharge the dynamic business environments of all Texas communities.

TAB and leaders throughout the Texas business community commended the Texas Legislature for their work last session to establish the JETI program. This session presents a critical opportunity to build on that momentum by passing HB 105 and solidifying Texas’ position as the nation’s – and the world’s – premiere business destination.

–Glenn Hamer, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business

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