AUSTIN, TX – At the South Texas Development Summit, The Texas Association of Business (TAB) recognized Governor Greg Abbott and Representative Todd Hunter for exceptional, pro-business leadership.
Rep. Todd Hunter received the Lonestar Legislator award.
"Chairman Todd Hunter is an unwavering force," said TAB Chairman Massey Villarreal. "On behalf of job creators, chambers of commerce, and economic development corporations across Texas, we thank him for his incredible leadership on HB 5."
Governor Greg Abbott received the Economic Trailblazer award.
“When it comes to economic development, Governor Abbott is the heavyweight champion of the world. Texas employers appreciate his dedication to the free-market principles that keep our economy booming,” said TAB CEO Glenn Hamer.
At the summit, the Texas Governor held a ceremonial signing for House Bill 5, the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act (JETI Act). The bill was the number one priority for over 260 organizations, including more than 100 chambers of commerce across Texas.
“I want to thank TAB for your collective leadership for Texas businesses and working to make sure we had a successful legislative session regarding economic development in our state,” said Governor Abbott. “Recently passed property tax relief is transformative and enormous, and part of that credit belongs to the men and women here today. It’s the business owners, the business operators, and all those involved in Texas’ economic development. You all have helped provide Texas with a record amount of revenue for the largest budget surplus in the history of our state. We were committed to returning that budget surplus to Texas taxpayers. The House and Senate worked together, and I was able to sign property tax cuts of $18 billion. This is a game changer, not just for homeowners, but for businesses across our state.”
Under Governor Abbott’s stewardship of the 8th-largest economy in the world, Texas has been named the “Best State for Business” by CEO Magazine 19 years in a row and has won Site Selection Magazine’s “Governor’s Cup,” 11 years in a row. During his time as Governor, the Lone Star State has added more than two million new jobs and continues to lead the nation in the most Fortune 500 headquarters. He was also named “Best Governor in the Nation” in 2020.
Following the 88th Legislative Session, the Governor signed meaningful pro-business legislation which established a new economic development program (HB 5, Hunter); community college finance reform (HB 8, VanDeaver); and a new Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council (HB 2060, Capriglione). Before being elected the 48th Governor of the State of Texas, he was Texas’ longest-serving attorney general.
The South Texas Development Summit was presented by the Port of Corpus Christi and partnered by the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.