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 its first round of endorsements 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

Wednesday March 10, 2010

First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/03/10/perry_sees_an_opening_as_white.html

Bill White declines to match Perry on personal financial disclosure
Houston Chronicle: http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2010/03/white_declines.html

New twist to the Averitt resignation – David Sibley sounds interested
Dallas Morning News: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/03/new-twist-to-the-averitt-resig.html

GOP plan: Play on Blue Dogs’ nerves
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34168.html

US Chamber of Commerce grows into a political force
LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-chamber9-2010mar09,0,7680461.story  

Indonesia president confirms death of militant Dulmatin
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8559054.stm

PA woman ties to plot on cartoonist
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/us/10pennsylvania.html?hp

The limits of Rahmism
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/magazine/14emanuel-t.html?ref=politics

Health care reform’s sickeningly sweet deals
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030903068.html

Why Obama can’t move the health care numbers
Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704784904575111993559174212.html
Check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Association-of-Business/55804331295

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Monday March 8, 2010

First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/03/08/hutchison_quickly_returns_to_s.html
Dems’ rosiest outlook in years for gov seat
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6901752.html

Mr. Justice Green?
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/mar/08/rick-green/

As Iraq tallies vote, US says pullout plans are ‘on track’
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/world/middleeast/08iraq.html?hp

Houston will be under spotlight in race for governor
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6901996.html

March 5, 2010

First Reading:
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/03/05/_happy_birthday_to_dnc.html

Texas unemployment rate holding steady
Dallas Morning News: http://economywatchblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/03/texas-unemployment-rate-holdin.html

Perry urges Hutchison to finish Senate term
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/030510dntexperrykby.1757ffb03.html

Poll: Perry 49, White 43
Houston Chronicle: http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2010/03/poll_perry_49_p.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+houstonchronicle%2Ftexaspolitics+(Texas+Politics)
 

Thursday March 4, 2010

First Reading:
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/03/04/cornyn_says_attacks_on_hutchis.html?cxntfid=blogs_first_reading

Railroad commissioner says Hispanic surname a ‘serious setback’ in race
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/railroad-commissioner-says-hispanic-surname-a-serious-setback-315087.html

Texas lost an extra 50,000 jobs, Dallas Fed finds
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030410dnbustxjobs.407f6f3.html
Winners and Losers in the Texas primary
Washington Post: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/winners-and-losers-in-the-texa.html?wprss=thefix

WH warns Dems: Don’t flip-flop
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33885.html

Gambit in Texan’s battle to unseat the governor
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04texas.html?hpw

Wednesday March 3, 2010

Casey: Seasoned politician Hutchison hurt by rookie mistakes
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/6894315.html

Labor leader to face Lt. Gov. Dewhurst in November
Houston Chronicle: http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2010/03/labor_leader_to.html

Cap-and-trade loses lots of steam as senators negotiate
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6894165.html

Charles Rangel gives up gavel
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33840.html

Who Won, Who Lost
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/mar/03/contested-primaries-lege-wrap-/

Tuesday March 2, 2010

First Reading:
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/03/04/cornyn_says_attacks_on_hutchis.html?cxntfid=blogs_first_reading

Railroad commissioner says Hispanic surname a ‘serious setback’ in race
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/railroad-commissioner-says-hispanic-surname-a-serious-setback-315087.html

Texas lost an extra 50,000 jobs, Dallas Fed finds
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030410dnbustxjobs.407f6f3.html

Winners and Losers in the Texas primary
Washington Post: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/winners-and-losers-in-the-texa.html?wprss=thefix

WH warns Dems: Don’t flip-flop
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33885.html

Gambit in Texan’s battle to unseat the governor
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/us/04texas.html?hpw

Monday March 1, 2010

First Reading
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/03/01/quick_thoughts_from_the_campai.html

Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign is more text than talk
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030110dntexlocalgotv.415ba89.html

Castro: It’s about school, kids
San Antonio Express News: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Castro_Its_about_school_kids.html

State-budget cuts could total $1.5 billion
El Paso Times: http://www.elpasotimes.com/politics/ci_14489445

Will Hutchison stay or will she go?
San Antonio Express News: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Will_she_stay_or_will_she_go.html

Drug war clashes between Gulf cartel, Zeta may escalate, could affect N. Texas
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/030110dnintdrugwar.416aff8.html

Rahm Emanuel and Lindsey Graham: D.C.’s odd couple
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33671.html

Friday February 26, 2010

The Brief
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/blogs/post/2010/feb/26/brief-february-26-2010/  

Bill White quietly building a big-money machine for governor
Dallas Morning News: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/bill-white-quietly-building-a.html

Lt. Gov. hopeful picks up big bucks from labor unions
Dallas Morning News: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/lt-gov-hopeful-picks-up-big-bu.html  

Rick Casey: a predicted and vicious political lie
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/6886267.html

Fact check: Hutchison says one-third of kids drop out
Politifact: http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2010/feb/25/kay-bailey-hutchison/hutchison-says-one-third-kids-drop-out/ 

Thursday February 25, 2010

Jason Embry’s First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/02/25/_happy_birthday_to_willie.html

The Brief
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/blogs/post/2010/feb/25/brief-february-25-2010/  

Senate approves $15 billion jobs bill
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/us/politics/25jobs.html?hpw

Death penalty is thrown out in Texas murders
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/us/25texas.html

Hutchison: Perry’s tactics tough on her campaign
Washington Post/AP: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022401066.html

Supreme Court Place 9
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/feb/25/primary-color-supreme-court-place-9/

Tea party activists aim to change GOP’s direction
Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6884026.html

White gets big donation from Democratic governors
Austin American-Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/white-gets-big-donation-from-democratic-governors-279954.html

The big bipartisan lie
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33486.html

Wednesday February 24, 2010

Jason Embry’s First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/02/24/_happy_birthday_to_mona.html

The Brief
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/blogs/post/2010/feb/24/brief-february-24-2010/

Economic Scene – In Obama’s Health Care Reform Meeting, Politics at Play
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/business/economy/24leonhardt.html?hp

Hutchison: Perry’s tactics tough on her campaign
Washington Post/AP: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022401066.html

Poll: More than half of Hispanics identify as conservative
Dallas Morning-News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/022410dntexhisppolitics.39fae92.html  

Tuesday February 23, 2010

Jason Embry’s First Reading
Austin American Statesman: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2010/02/23/_austin_weather_from_news_7.html

The Brief
Texas Tribune: http://www.texastribune.org/blogs/post/2010/feb/23/brief-february-23-2010/

John Carona, the Last Republican
D Magazine: http://www.dmagazine.com/Home/D_Magazine/2010/March/John_Carona_the_Last_Republican.aspx

Texas gubernatorial primaries drawing nearly twice the voters as in 2006
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/22/1988430/texas-gubernatorial-primaries.html

GOP rivals for Texas governor vie for votes
Dallas Morning News: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/topstories/stories/022110dntexdayinthelife.3fe5060.html
DCCC to highlight ‘Palin Primaries’
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33330.html

Courting Latino Candidates
Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791504575079732815974568.html?mod=googlenews_wsj