Texas Association of Business

Expanding Medicaid Managed Care in Texas

Despite financial troubles across the globe, Texas weathered the economic storm better than any place in America; in large measure due to state leaders passing sound public policy. From championing fiscal restraint to reducing lawsuit abuse, from public education to worker’s compensation reform, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) has led the fight on the toughest legislative battles to date.

The State of Texas is now facing a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall in the next biennium. In the midst of the back-and-forth attempts between agencies and leaders to identify and root out waste, TAB believes ridding the State’s ledgers of fraud and abuse must be priority number one.

Nowhere can we identify potential savings easier than in the health care arena.  By expanding the Medicaid managed care system in Texas, we can save over $160 million in the next three years. What’s even better than the savings? Increasing the access and quality of health care services to thousands of Texas citizens, while
saving business and taxpayer dollars.

TAB is committed to ensuring that families across Texas have top-notch access to health care and excellent quality of care, all while producing a cost savings. The sky-rocketing health care costs in the three exempted Texas counties are adding tens of millions of unnecessary dollars to our tax burden. Read what’s inside the
report that our team put together. The following pages, and the answers contained within, may shock you.

Texas knows Medicaid managed care works—both for the Medicaid recipients and for Texas’ budget. The employers and citizens of Texas deserve to have the best costs and the best access to health care services throughout our entire state.

Bill Hammond

President, Texas Association of Business

BACPAC Endorsements

AUSTIN – The political arm of the Texas Association of Business, the Business and Commerce Political Action Committee (BACPAC), today announced additional endorsements (Run-off electionsn) for the 2010 election cycle.

For the complete list, please visit http://www.txbiz.org/bacpacJan.

Voting Record 2009

The Texas Association of Business (TAB) is proud to publish the 2009 For the Record lawmaker scorecard for the 81st Legislative Session. Each session, TAB contacts the Legislature about the bills and issues that impact small and large employers across Texas. TAB takes seriously the charge of holding lawmakers accountable for the way they vote on these issues. For the Record is one of the most valuable tools to hold legislators accountable and to ensure that they are addressing the needs of the business community.

2009 Legislative Results

The past twelve months marked the most challenging economic times America has faced in generations. Saddled with a lagging economy, voters sought a new direction. Their frustration trickled down the ballot, altering the composition of the Texas Legislature and reducing the number of fiscal conservatives in both the Texas House and Senate.

TAB lobbyists testified on hundreds of bills, wrote thousands of letters, met with countless legislators and staff, and engaged in demanding battles against powerful opponents who sought to advance agendas that were harmful to businesses in the state. Given the enormity of the obstacles facing the business community during these tumultuous economic times, TAB had one of its most successful sessions to date.

Texas Employment Law Handbook

Trying to Keep up with Ever-Changing State Employment Law Issues?

Find all the answers in just one book published by Texas Association of Business and the Texas State council of SHRM — the leading business authorities in the state.

The Answers at Your Fingertips.

Looking for an answer for your latest employment dilemma? Look no further than the Texas Employment Law Handbook. The Texas Employment Law Handbook is the ONLY Handbook written by Texas Labor Law Attorneys that focuses exclusively on the needs of Texas employers.

The Texas Employment Law Handbook delivers practical, hands-on advice that you need to keep your business in compliance with the ever-changing state and federal labor laws. It is available on the worldwide web, so no matter where you are or what you are doing you can have the answers.

The Texas Employment Law Handbook arms you with the information you need to keep you out of the courtroom. Earlier this year as well as last year, many critical cases were decided that affect how you deal with employees and how you run your business. TAB's 2009-2011 Employment Law Handbook puts all these new changes together with other in-depth advice.

TAB will now be publishing its handbook every two years. You will be updated on crucial changes within that time through TAB?s web-based book that went on-line in 2007.

RISK-FREE Guarantee

TAB has published the Texas Employment Law Handbook since 1989. From Texas payday rules to Workers' Compensation, all chapters are researched and written by board-certified labor law attorneys. So if you aren't satisfied, simply return the book within 30 days for a refund. After the 30-day trial period, subscribers will automatically receive a password to access the web edition of the book.

Use the book that is available in every Texas Court Library. TAB supplies each Texas court library with a book to reference in employment-related cases.

Order online Here

Or Download a Fax Order Form (288 Kbytes)

Or Call 1.800.856.6721, ext. 133 to place your order for TAB's 2007-2009 Employment Law Handbook

Legislative Priorities 2009

The legislative priorities of the Texas Association of Business (TAB) represent the most important business issues in Texas. The biennial agenda, Creating Opportunities For Tomorrow, is developed and approved by TAB’s Board of Directors, who live across the state and represent diverse business interests.

TAB takes its marching orders directly from Texas businesses each time it marches into the Capitol for session, fighting for employers until the last strike of the gavel. In the end, after all, what is good for business is good for Texas. For 85 years, TAB has been peerless in its efforts to affect positive change on behalf of Texas businesses

TAB’s legislative agenda, if successfully enacted, will create an environment where businesses can not only grow, but thrive and prosper.

Daily Brief

Here are some of the top new stories from around Texas

Tuesday May 25, 2010

Risk-averse investors send stocks sliding on debt fears
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/business/26markets.html?hp

W.H. backs deal to repeal 'Don't ask'
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37728.html

Guest Column: For Arizona (Rep. Leo Berman)
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/may/25/leo-berman-on-immigration/

Guest Column: Against Arizona (Rep. Rafael Anchia)
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/may/25/guest-column-against-arizona/

Friday May 21, 2010

BP falls short in estimate of oil spill rate
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/7015520.html  

Bet on a full-court press for casinos in Texas
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/18/2199185/bet-on-a-full-court-press-for.html

House Republicans try to stop bleeding from PA special election loss
Washington Post: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/1-2-3-former-state.html

Thursday May 20, 2010

Jason Embry’s First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/05/20/_happy_birthday_to_jeff.html

Perry rejects Texas state agencies' proposed cuts, orders $1.2B slashed
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/falkenberg/7013251.html

Scientists fault US response in assessing Gulf oil spill
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/science/earth/20noaa.html?hp

Pelosi vows to end ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ by the end of the year
The Hill: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/98833-vow-to-end-dont-ask-by-new-year

Half-century later, UT to reconsider name of dorm for Klansman  
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/half-century-later-ut-to-reconsider-naming-of-698255.html?srcTrk=RTR_554183

Wednesday May 19, 2010

Cause for alarm in the Texas workforce (TAB mention)
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/05/19/_but_first_for_those.html
Perry rejects Texas state agencies' proposed cuts, orders $1.2B slashed
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-budgetcuts_19tex.ART.State.Edition1.49336b0.html

The battle over taxing soda
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/business/economy/19leonhardt.html?hp

Generation Next
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/may/19/generation-gap/

Cornyn: Senators need time to review Elena Kagan's history
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/051910dnnatcornynkagan.167797f4.html
Europe's debt crisis shows risks for U.S
Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1816053720100519

Tuesday May 18, 2010

First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://bit.ly/9Hge0A

Perry widens lead over White in governor's race
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/12/2185033/electric-rates-down-in-texas-deregulated.html

Today’s primaries offer new clues
NY Times: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/17/todays-primaries-offer-new-clues/?hp

The Next Deepwater?
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/may/18/next-deepwater/

Thursday May 13, 2010

First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/05/13/_happy_birthday_to_republican_2.html

Electric rates down in Texas’ deregulated market
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/12/2185033/electric-rates-down-in-texas-deregulated.html

Texas sales tax allocations up for first time in more than a year
Fort Worth Star Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/05/12/2185339/texas-sales-tax-allocations-up.html

Wednesday May 12, 2010

First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/05/12/_happy_birthday_to_the_1.html

Texas facing $18 billion shortfall
San Antonio Express News: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/straus_consider_every_budget_cut_93426739.html

Legislature may spell out texting rules
San Antonio Express News: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/bending_rules_with_a_text_message_93467229.html

Straus vows no new taxes to close budget gap
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/straus-vows-no-new-taxes-to-close-budget-683285.html

Cornyn hints he’s unlikely to back Kagan’s nomination
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/DN-scotustexas_11nat.ART.State.Edition2.4cb0cb9.html

Big oil to get more grilling as oil gushes in Gulf
Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1113398420100512?type=marketsNews

David Cameron is Britain’s new prime minister
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/11/AR2010051102200_pf.html

Tuesday May 11, 2010

First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/05/11/happy_birthday_to_matt_stiles.html

Immigration divides loyalist, GOP
San Antonio Express News: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/Immigration_divides_loyalist_GOP_93253444.html

UT cutting jobs to trim budget, pay for raises
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/ut-cutting-jobs-to-trim-budget-pay-for-681142.html

Cornyn hints he’s unlikely to back Kagan’s nomination
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/DN-scotustexas_11nat.ART.State.Edition2.4cb0cb9.html

Charged with illegal vote harvesting, a political worker explains how voter fraud works
Texas Watchdog: http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2010/05/illegal-vote-harvesting-south-texas-voter-fraud/1273422832.story

Monday May 10, 2010

Sibley and Birdwell Advance to runoff in State Senate race
Waco Tribune-Herald: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Sibley-and-Birdwell-advance--to-runoff-in-state-Senate-race.html

Tea party wins victory in Utah as incumbent US Senator loses bid for nomination
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/08/AR2010050803430_pf.html

BP not giving up despite oil leak repair setback
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/deepwaterhorizon/6996679.html

Editorial: Legislature should study gambling options
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-casino_0510edi.State.Edition1.2802ecb.html 

A Matter of Trust
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/may/10/matter-trust/

Elana Kagan strategy: Avoid a big GOP fight
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36989.html

Budget looms over midterm elections
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36988.html

Texas lawmakers discuss easing public school class size to limit cut costs
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/051010dntswclasssize.3f89c03.html