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620 <br /> <br /> <br /> Paris <br /> Economic 2001 - 2002 <br /> Deveopment PROGRAM OF WORK <br /> Corporation <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Executive Summary <br /> <br /> There is always a certain air of instability during a legislative session. How <br /> our legislature can consider the thousands of pieces of legislation in 140 days, in <br /> itself remains a miracle to me. The Texas Department of Economic Development <br /> (TDED) had its head placed in the guillotine several times during the session. <br /> With TDED under sunset review it was certainly a fight for survival. The <br /> Department did remain in existence--with some dramatic changes. How this <br /> relates to PEDC is that we will continue to work with TDED for prospect referral <br /> and coordination of state programs. The:Smart Jobs Program was ultimately left <br /> a TDED but will probably not be much of an incentive tool because of a lack of <br /> funds in the Unemployment Insurance Fund. <br /> <br /> Legislation directly affecting the PEDC and how we do business was <br /> relative unchanged, even though there Were 69 bills introduced that could have <br /> affected the sales tax legislation. I credit the lack of changes to the work of the <br /> Texas Economic Development Sales Tax Association (TEDSTA). There were 3 <br /> separate bills debated that would have completely changed the operations and <br /> accountabilities of economic development corporations from a local function to <br /> State control. I do credit our own Mark Homer and his work on the Economic <br /> Development Committee for keeping our economic development legislation in <br /> tact. Senator Ratliff (Lt. Gov. Ratliff) was also very responsive to some request <br /> from TEDSTA and because of his own desire to maintain the economic <br /> development sales tax legislation. <br /> <br /> With all things being considered, economic development came through <br /> the session in pretty good shape. With the continued extension of TDED, the <br /> sales tax legislation, tax abatement laws were reinstated, and H.B.1200 by <br /> Brimer was enacted that allows school districts to offer incentives in major capital <br /> investment projects, economic development remained competitive in Texas. <br /> <br /> What are our prospects for the immediate future? We are on the down <br /> side of the Bell curve as business cycles go. Texas is in the grips of several <br /> uncertainties such as the escalating cost of fuel, the deregulation of the electric <br /> industry, a declining labor force, and an antiquated tax system that is very <br /> burdensome to industry. On the positive side, Lamar County still has a larger <br /> than average available work force with excellent training potential through Paris <br /> Junior College, we are poised to meet the demands for electrical energy, we <br /> <br /> 1651 Clarksville Street - Paris, Texas 75460 <br /> (903) 784-2501 - 1-800-PARISTX - Fax (903) 784-2503 <br /> http://www.paristexas.com <br /> <br /> <br />