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119th Congress Federal Priorities

A thriving business environment that fosters economic development is critical to making Houston greater. In order to advance the Houston region, the Greater Houston Partnership supports policies that create a business environment attractive to leading global companies and skilled talent. During the 118th Congress, the Partnership will focus on this impact agenda addressing the most pressing issues facing the business community and the Houston region. We invite you to join us in advancing these solutions to strengthen the region’s long-term growth and provide opportunity for all. Together, we make Houston greater.

Executive Priorities

The Partnership has set priorities on energy and the coastal barrier.

Additional focus areas include transportation, economic development, flood mitigation, international trade and more.

Energy & Energy Transition

As the Energy Capital of the World, the Partnership and its member companies pursue federal policies with a unique impact on Houston’s position as the Energy Capital of the World. Through leveraging members’ expertise, the Partnership works with policymakers to advance the region’s energy competitiveness and secure Houston’s position as a leader in energy job creation and economic opportunity.

The Partnership launched the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and has been working with stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level to align policies for an energy-abundant, low-carbon future. Through this initiative, the Partnership embraces an “all-of-the-above" approach to meeting growing global demand for energy while lowering emissions. This is a dual challenge with tremendous opportunity in developing and scaling technologies, creating and servicing markets for the global energy mix, and investing in the future energy system.

The Partnership is committed to bringing this message to Congress and working with lawmakers to utilize Houston’s leadership and advance its energy competitiveness.

To learn more about HETI and the low-carbon value chain in greater Houston, check out the resources here

Wind Turbines in Texas

Coastal Barrier

The 2022 Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) authorizes opportunities to advance the region’s infrastructure through navigation, flood and storm surge damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration projects. The Partnership is grateful for authorization and supports funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Coastal Texas Program, which includes the development of a barrier flood gate and levee system designed to protect national security assets, economic vitality, and human life. 

The Partnership supports the efforts between the region's congressional delegation, the Corps, and the non-federal sponsors – the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) – to continue moving this project toward design and construction. We request funding for the Coastal Texas Program. We request continuing contract authority so that the Corps can draw down a predictable amount of federal funds, particularly for the mission-critical gate system. We urge consideration of waiving the GCPD’s interest accrual on Sabine to Galveston projects until November 1, 2025. A pause on interest accrual will help the GCPD deliver the project with the strongest benefits to the region and taxpayers. 

Preventative infrastructure projects, like the Coastal Texas Program, can help mitigate the devastation from a catastrophic storm surge and save tens of billions of dollars in disaster recovery funding by protecting vulnerable communities. The coastal barrier is also an investment in our national economic security. The Houston region is home to one of the largest concentrations of refining and petrochemical complexes in the world, and a storm’s direct hit to the unprotected ship channel would have devastating economic consequences across our nation.

houston bayou
Priority Issues
Meet the Greater Houston Region's Federal Delegation

Convening to Make an Impact

The Partnership's impact work happens through Committees, which convene business and community leaders to fuel the growth and vitality of the Houston region. 

Public Policy Updates

Related News

Public Policy

Constitutional Ballot Could Have Big Implications for Houston Region

7/10/25
This November, millions of Texas voters will head to the polls to decide whether to approve or reject 17 proposed constitutional amendments by state lawmakers. It’s an annual process that plays out in the fall during odd-numbered years following a legislative session.  This year, however, the potential benefits for the Houston area are greater based on two key funding proposals: $1 billion annually for water projects and $300 million annually for a newly created Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). Secretary of State Jane Nelson drew the order for the November 4 ballot last month, following the end of the veto period. As the state’s top election official, the Secretary of State oversees organizing the constitutional election. The propositions are drawn at random to determine the order in which they appear on the ballot. The two key propositions supported by the Partnership are as follows: Prop 4: "The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue." Prop 14: "The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue." The language above is precisely what will be included on the ballot. However, there is much more to these propositions and the legislation passed into law that makes these initiatives possible. Click here to read more about the potential $20 billion investment in water. Click here to learn more about the potential impact $3 billion in total funding for DPRIT could have on Houston’s medical research community. Included in the additional 15 propositions are recommendations related to the creation of a dedicated fund to support skilled trade programs at Texas State Technical College, changing the state’s tax code, and providing a tax exemption to surviving spouses of fallen veterans in specific scenarios.  A complete list of the ballot order and prop language is available on the Secretary of State’s website.  
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Public Policy

Show Houston the Money: Exploring the $338 Billion Texas Budget

7/10/25
This year, Texas lawmakers passed a historic spending bill that increased the two-year funding total by more than $27 billion over the previous budget. A portion of that spending was included in the Supplemental Budget (House Bill 500), providing immediate funding for targeted projects. The direct impact on the Houston area over the next two years is significant: $1.22 billion in new programmatic funding for 47 school districts around the Houston region $1.17 billion across local medical schools Nearly $362 million in dedicated funding for flood prevention & water supply projects $135 million for regional operational centers for the Texas Department of Emergency Management and other emergency operations $12.8 million for upgrades to the Harris County Psychiatric Hospital Click here for an infographic highlighting other policy victories for the state and the city of Houston. These targeted investments are enormous for the Houston region, but there is also much more on the horizon. On November 4, Texas voters will decide on 17 constitutional propositions, two of which could bring more funding to local communities, including: Prop 4: Authorizing the legislature to dedicate $1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund over the next 20 years Prop 14: Authorizing the creation of a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and providing $3 billion over the next 10 years Exploring the Budget The Partnership has updated its Budget Explorer Tool with the final version passed by lawmakers. Using this tool, you can explore topline funding by agency, specific funding for water and education programs, and search new funding projections for individual school districts. There is also a table of contents that links to appropriations for each agency.  Here’s a quick reminder on how to read the state budget: Method of Financing: From where does the money come (i.e., state, federal, or other)? Strategy Funding: The highlighted funding for specific programs and targeted goals for the agency Riders: This is the last section of the agency funding in the bill, and it gives specific instructions on how the dollars are to be spent. Article IX: This is where you will find additional provisions on spending and revenue, as well as contingency funding.  For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our policy newsletter. 
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Become a Member Today

Interested in joining the Partnership? Take the next step and learn how you can make an impact on Houston.

Get in touch with our team to:

  • Learn more about the Partnership's policy priorities
  • Get involved in a policy committee and meet industry peers 
  • Help shape the Partnership's policy initiatives
Taylor Landin
Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer
Public Policy
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tlandin@houston.org
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713-844-3624
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Executive Partners