MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Advocacy Priorities
Public Education Midland Independent School District is a large, Pre-K-12 public school system, that aims to prepare students for careers or further educational opportunities. Midland ISD’s overall ability to educate its growing student population is adversely affected by state funding mechanisms, such as “recapture” (aka Robin Hood). Additionally, with the expiration of the Formula Transition Grant (FTG) funding, Midland ISD’s budget will be negatively impacted more than any school district in Texas. Midland Chamber of Commerce Position • Advocate for equitable and sufficient state funding for public schools that prioritize student needs and district financial stability. This includes advocating for: increased funding levels to provide all districts with resources to deliver a high-qualityeducation, fair and accurate student enrollment counting methods that reflect the actual cost of educating students, full state funding for mandated programs such as school safety and early childhood education, equitable funding distribution formulas address the needs of districts with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged, and reduce the burden of local taxpayers. • Support additional resources that improve student outcomes. Water Supply Accessing, managing and protecting our water resources is one of the most critical issues facing Midland and the State of Texas. We must ensure that there is adequate water for agriculture, industry and the environment. As our population increases, human demands for water will grow. Decisions made now will have far reaching consequences for the livelihood of our city and our state. Midland Chamber of Commerce Position • Support and encourage the responsible exploration of new and evolving options, including but not limited to desalination of brackish ground water, aquifer storage and recovery, innovative reuse technologies and beneficial use of produced water. • Support significant and dedicated funding for projects that address the water needs of Midland and the Permian Basin. Oil and Gas Midland is blessed with vast energy resources, which is critical to our state’s economic success. The oil and gas industry thrives on sensible and predictable government action and regulations. Frequent changes, overly burdensome processes, and increased operational restrictions can hinder investment and production. Continued oil and gas production in the Permian Basin requires adequate infrastructure, including pipelines, roads and electrical transmission. Lack of infrastructure can lead to bottlenecks, increased costs, and safety concerns. The oil and gas industry needs a skilled workforce to maintain production and drive innovation. This includes attracting new workers, providing training programs, and supporting education initiatives.
Midland Chamber of Commerce Position: • Support smart and predictable state actions and regulations.
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 200 • Midland, Texas 79701 • 432-683-3381 • www.midland.biz
STATE AGENDA Texas 89th Legislature 2025
MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
• Support efficient permitting but acknowledge the need for appropriate health, safety and environmental safeguards. • Promote collaboration between industry and regulators to find solutions that promote economic growth, health, safety and environmental stewardship. • Support infrastructure development that supports the growth of our industry and community • Support workforce development programs. Business Midland is home to a vibrant small business sector that serves as a major employer and supports the oil and gas industry. State policies affecting taxation, commerce, employment and more can affect the business climate of communities, like Midland, across Texas. Midland Chamber of Commerce Position: • Advocate for tax and regulatory policies that benefit West Texas employers and business owners. • Support a pro-business environment that empowers entrepreneurship and business growth. • Support economic development and diversification. • Advocate for investments in infrastructure projects that improve transportation, logistics, and connectivity in the region for the free movement of people and goods. Infrastructure & Safety Road infrastructure: Midland’s rapid growth and heavy industry strains and damages existing road infrastructure. Congestion creates safety hazards due to increased traffic volume and hinders workforce mobility. Electrical Transmission Infrastructure: Reliable electricity is essential for Midland’s businesses and residents. Grid reliability concerns, especially during peak demand, can disrupt operations, impact economic growth, and pose risks to public safety. Pipeline Infrastructure: Pipelines are vital for transporting oil and gas products from the Permian Basin. Aging systems and capacity constraints are among the concerns that surround pipeline infrastructure. Maintaining safe and efficient pipeline operations is critical for the energy industry, the state economy and public safety. Midland Chamber of Commerce Position: • Advocate for increased state funding dedicated to road expansion and maintenance in energy- producing regions like Midland. Understanding that there is a connection between road quality and economic productivity, public safety and quality of life. • Support specific projects crucial to Midland’s economy and safety, such as I-14, I-20, I-27, Hwy 191, Hwy 158 (Garden City Hwy), and Loop 250. • Advocate for state policies that incentivize investment in new transmission lines and grid upgrades in high-growth areas like Midland. • Support economic development and diversification. Support pipeline infrastructure to advance economic growth, realizing the crucial role pipelines play in Texas’ energy dominance • Encourage collaboration between industry, regulators, and local communities.
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 200 • Midland, Texas 79701 • 432-683-3381 • www.midland.biz
STATE AGENDA Texas 89th Legislature 2025
MIDLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Midland, Texas - State Elected Officials
Representative Tom Craddick District 82 500 West Texas Avenue, Suite 880 Midland, TX 79701 (432) 682-3000
Senator Kevin Sparks District 31 6 Desta Drive, Suite 3360 Midland, TX 79705 (432) 620-0436
About the Midland Chamber
The Midland Chamber’s mission is to promote and foster business growth and success for our members and the Midland community. We have served as Midland’s voice of business since 1924. Advocating for a favorable business climate at the local, state, and federal levels of government on behalf of our members is one of our top priorities. We take an active stance regarding legislation that will impact our business community. As community advocates, we: • Actively monitor issues • Provide updates, including call-to-action updates • Act as a liaison and voice the position of the Chamber to our elected officials
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 200 • Midland, Texas 79701 • 432-683-3381 • www.midland.biz
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