|
| |
Features | Published: May 16, 2013
 AUSTIN — Procedural deadlines for legislation began to hit last week, ending the forward progress and the hopes of more than half of the 6,000-or-so House bills and Senate bills filed by Texas lawmakers since November 2012.
And while the main state budget bill for fiscal years 2014-2015 stayed apparently motionless in a conference committee of five Senate members and five House members, a number of bills survived votes and passed through their respective originating chambers.
For example, the House on May 8 approved House Bill 500, legislation that permanently exempts businesses with gross revenues of $1 million or less from paying the margin or “franchise” tax. The current exemption is set to expire next year.
The Legislature enacted the tax in 2009 to offset a reduction in residential property taxes. Other bills filed this session attempt to do away with the tax entirely.
| Published: May 16, 2013
 Small businesses are the engines of economic growth in our communities. From a young age, I worked alongside my father in our family restaurant. I worked in almost every part: cleaning the grease trap, washing dishes, and serving the restaurant’s patrons. I worked there through college, and on holidays.
The family restaurant- the small business ran by my parents- helped to push our family to the middle class.
Today, I’m a proud member of the bipartisan Small Business Caucus in Congress. As members, we will raise awareness of issues that most impact small businesses including access to capital, access to technology, and finding solutions to encourage entrepreneurship and small business growth. The caucus will advance and promote small business initiatives that support local commerce and strengthen our local communities.
|
|
| |
|
|
