Legislative Priorities
The Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to driving business development and economic growth in our community through advocacy, education, innovation, and collaboration. Since 1973, our Chamber has been a voluntary, member-supported organization uniting businesses and professionals committed to fostering a vibrant, sustainable economic environment in Cedar Park.
With 750 members working together, the Chamber is a non-profit organization focused on strengthening the Cedar Park business landscape. A key part of this mission is advocating for our members at the Federal, State, and Local levels.
Based on insights from the 2024 Legislative Survey and the previous legislative priorities document, here are the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce's legislative priorities for the 2025 session:
- Maintain Competitive Funding: Advocate for consistent funding of the Texas Enterprise Fund and similar state economic development tools to attract corporate expansions and job growth.
- Support and Modernize Development Incentives: Continue support of current economic development programs and help create a more effective model that enhances competitive advantages for the state while preserving local control over development incentives.
- Promote Inclusivity and Social Equity: Oppose discriminatory legislation and support policies that foster an inclusive business environment.
- Local Economic Autonomy: Advocate against any legislative measures that would reduce local control over economic development efforts.
- Oppose Vouchers (“School Choice” Legislation): Oppose diverting public funds to private education through vouchers, as this reduces essential resources for public schools and undermines the commitment to equitable, quality education for all students.
- Increase Workforce Funding: Support enhanced funding for the Skills Development Program and workforce training grants to ensure businesses have access to a skilled workforce.
- Dual Credit and Vocational Training Support: Partner with Leander ISD and Austin Community College to expand dual-credit programs, vocational training, and other workforce-aligned educational initiatives.
- Protect Local Educational Control: Advocate for policies that allow school districts like Leander ISD to allocate federal funds according to local needs and resist mandates that restrict local governance.
- Immigration and Workforce Visas: Support improved access to H-1B, STEM, and EB-5 visas to meet workforce needs, particularly in high-skill areas.
- Champion Local Control: Promote local governance on tax and regulatory decisions, enabling Cedar Park to tailor its policies to local business needs. Oppose any legislation that limits municipal autonomy, as 85% of survey respondents support localized decision-making.
- Reduce Excessive Regulation: Advocate for streamlined regulations that support business growth and flexibility, addressing rising operational costs that are impacting local businesses.
- Enhance Core Utilities: Support investments in the power grid, water, and gas utilities to sustain growth and maintain Cedar Park's quality of life and business appeal.
- Infrastructure Investment and Expansion: Prioritize road expansions, public transit, and connectivity improvements as vital to Cedar Park’s competitiveness. This aligns with the survey's findings that infrastructure is a top concern among local businesses.
- Localized Project Authority: Advocate for regional decision-making authority, empowering local officials to prioritize transportation projects and funding.
- Trade Policies for Economic Growth: Endorse international trade agreements that bolster Texas's position in the global economy, benefiting Cedar Park businesses.
- Monitor Local Ordinances: Collaborate with the City of Cedar Park to address any ordinances that may impact local businesses, while ensuring that property developments align with community and business interests.
- Address Property and Operational Costs: Seek solutions to mitigate rising property and operational costs, highlighted in the 2024 survey, which impact business revenue and community growth potential.
- Update Local Addresses: Collaborate with the City of Cedar Park to address any addresses that improperly place Cedar Park businesses in neighboring communities.
- Advocate for Business: Continue to advocate on behalf of the business community and work with local officials to accomplish a growing business community.
- Monitor Local Ordinances: Monitor/Support/Oppose ordinances that may impact the local business community.
The Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce will work with factual information through documentation, reporting and subject matter experts.
The Legislative Priorities listed are not the only ways the Chamber will advocate for our members. The Chamber will continue to engage and monitor local, regional, state and national policies that may affect the business community in Cedar Park and will react to those as appropriate.
These legislative priorities were adopted by the Cedar Park Chamber Board of Directors at the November 2024 Board Meeting.
These priorities reflect the Cedar Park Chamber's commitment to fostering a supportive business environment, advocating for strategic infrastructure growth, and promoting policies that enhance Cedar Park's economic resilience and quality of life.
