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Texas Business Leader Alliance 8/24 News Summary

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Weekly News Summary 

Monday, August 24, 2026

Texas enters the final week of August with a strong economic headline but a more complicated policy picture underneath it. New federal employment data show that Texas added 165,600 nonfarm jobs over the past 12 months, more than any other state, and grew employment at 1.2% year over year. Professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and construction were among the state's fastest-growing sectors.

Texas also secured another major advanced-manufacturing investment. Amazon announced a multibillion-dollar robotics manufacturing facility in Austin expected to create 300–500 manufacturing and engineering jobs. The project adds to a remarkable series of AI, semiconductor, robotics, data center, and advanced-manufacturing investments, but it also reinforces the state's need for engineering talent, skilled trades, housing, electricity, water, transportation, and responsible infrastructure planning.

Those infrastructure questions dominated legislative activity this week. House committees examined data centers, proposed 765-kV transmission lines, broadband deployment, higher-education workforce alignment, pensions, public health, and other issues likely to influence the 2027 legislative agenda. A nine-hour House hearing highlighted growing disagreement among landowners, industry representatives, utilities, and policymakers over the state's transmission expansion strategy.

Additionally, Immigration policy became even more consequential for employers. Governor Abbott proposed prohibiting Texas public schools from using H-1B visas, while a federal lawsuit challenges new fixed-duration rules for foreign students and exchange visitors. On Friday, a federal judge separately struck down a policy that had suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries.

Texas Legislative Interim Work Moves Toward the 2027 Legislature

The Legislature's interim activity this week offered one of the clearest previews yet of issues likely to dominate the 90th Texas Legislature.

Policy Area

Current Activity

Business Relevance

Civic/Policy Engagement Opportunity

Higher Education

House Higher Education examined enrollment, workforce demand, postsecondary outcomes, completion, faculty recruitment and research competitiveness.

Texas' investment pipeline increasingly depends on producing engineers, technicians, health professionals, and other skilled workers.

Employers can provide occupational-demand data and identify credential gaps.

Broadband

Lawmakers reviewed Broadband Development Office awards, BEAD implementation, and utility-pole costs.

Broadband affects rural economic development, telehealth, education, small business, and remote work.

Rural chambers should identify remaining connectivity and affordability gaps.

Data Centers

House State Affairs examined economic benefits, workforce requirements, regulation, SB 6 implementation, and ERCOT's large-load process.

Data centers create investment but can place extraordinary demands on electricity, transmission, and water.

Business groups can advocate for predictable statewide standards and equitable cost allocation.

Transmission

Lawmakers examined the proposed 765-kV transmission expansion amid opposition from landowners and concerns from industry.

Grid expansion is essential for industrial growth but can generate significant land-use and cost disputes.

Encourage transparent planning, regional consultation, and evidence-based cost-benefit analysis.

Pensions

Lawmakers reviewed the actuarial condition of TRS and ERS and potential contribution and benefit changes.

Pension liabilities affect state finances, public-sector recruitment, and long-term budget flexibility.

Monitor proposals with potential fiscal or employer-contribution implications.

Public Health

House Public Health examined youth social-media and AI impacts as well as infant mortality prevention.

Technology regulation, health outcomes, and workforce well-being increasingly intersect.

Technology and health employers can contribute research and implementation expertise.

Texas Elections Landscape

Senate District 22 Special Election

Governor Abbott set November 3, 2026, as the special election date to fill the Texas Senate District 22 seat vacated by Sen. Brian Birdwell. The special election will therefore occur alongside the statewide general election.

This is especially relevant for Central Texas business organizations because SD 22 includes communities whose economic priorities include higher education, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and rapid population growth.

November Election Preparation

The November 3 ballot includes statewide offices, a U.S. Senate race, all 38 U.S. House seats, legislative contests, and numerous local races and propositions.

The state's August 17 deadline to order many local elections and file for local ballot positions has now passed, meaning the November landscape will become substantially clearer as ballots are finalized.

Business Civic Engagement Priorities

  • Begin voter-registration communications now.
  • Build October registration and early-voting deadlines into employee communications.
  • Explain the business relevance of state and local offices.
  • Share official election information rather than partisan voting guides.
  • Consider candidate forums or policy briefings conducted under neutral rules.
  • Prepare to correct election misinformation with authoritative sources.

November Election Timeline

Date

Milestone

Business Relevance

October 5

Texas voter-registration deadline.

Employers should begin registration communications well before this date.

October 19

Early voting begins.

Workplace voter communications should already be active.

October 30

Early voting ends.

Provides employees a two-week voting window.

November 3

General Election Day.

Statewide, congressional, state legislative, county, and certain local offices are on the ballot.

Texas Business Leader Alliance News Clips

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says data centers deserve the backlash they're getting: 'They basically dug their own grave'

August 23, 2026
The AI industry is reaping what it sows, as far as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is concerned.

Abbott said the sharp criticism Americans are lobbing at AI data centers is well-earned during an interview on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday.Business Insider

East Texas sits on a goldmine of lithium, but questions loom over how the state will regulate mining and production

August 20, 2026
Lithium production in East Texas could create high-paying jobs, support local businesses, and encourage cities to improve East Texas infrastructure, such as roads or public utility services. But it could also leave landowners struggling with high property values and a community dealing with infrastructure that doesn’t keep pace with rapid growth, leading to a bust that the state has seen before with the oil and gas industry.Texas Tribune

USPS makes new rules for mail-in ballots

August 23, 2026
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has released a new rule adding verification requirements to all mail-in ballots. These changes will not go into effect until the court lifts its current injunction. The mail service said the changes would occur immediately if given the go-ahead. Under the proposed change, states would be required to collect and report basic voter information, like a voter's name and home address, attached to a unique barcode on every mail-in ballot distributed.ABCNews

Upcoming  Events and Conferences

  • August 25, Fort Bend Regional Partnership - Future of Fort Bend  1:00 - 5:00 PM Facilitator - Dr. Brandon Rottinghaus, Professor of Political Science, University of Houston. For more info: For more information: Jamie Loasby | 281-566-2163 jamie@fbrp.org
  • August 25, Navigating Immigration: What Businesses and Organizations Need to Know - Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce Webinar Register Here
  • August 26, NextGen Virtual Roundtable Series Topic: Building Resilient Regional Economies For more information: Casey Oakes casey@nextgenchamber.org
  • August 26, Growing Your Small Business Across Texas - Hosted by the SBA District Offices Across Texas and the Texas Workforce Commission; 10:00 AM CST Virtual; Register Here
  • August 31- September 1 Infrastructure Summit - Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas (500 W. Las Colinas Blvd). Hosted by: The City of Irving and the North Texas Commission Register Here
  • September 1, Fort Bend Regional Partnership - Candidates Academy; Facilitator - Dr. Brandon Rottinghaus, Professor of Political Science, University of Houston. For more info: For more information: Jamie Loasby | 281-566-2163 jamie@fbrp.org
  • September 3,  San Antonio Business Expo and Doing Business with the State of Texas Symposium
  • September 30,  Bryan College Station Business Expo and Doing Business with the State of Texas Symposium

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