Golden Triangle Days – Legislative Agenda
Overview
On January 14, 2025, the 89th Texas Legislature will convene to tackle the state’s greatest challenges and opportunities. Over a five-month period, more than 180 representatives will deliberate on issues important to the approximately thirty-one million residents of the 254 counties that comprise the state of Texas.
The region of Beaumont, Orange, and Port Arthur, Texas, colloquially known as “The Golden Triangle,” has played an outsized role in the Texas and United States economies. The birthplace of the modern oil and gas industry, the Golden Triangle, is still a frontier for innovation, energy security, and trade. The businesses and industries of the two-county region improve quality of life for millions of people around the world and have the ability to move international markets.
On March 3, 2025, The Chambers of Commerce of the Golden Triangle will bring about four hundred members to Austin to tell the Golden Triangle story and advocate on issues important to Southeast Texas in an effort to drive meaningful change.
2024-2025 Legislative Priorities
The legislative priorities for Golden Triangle Days are organized under three key areas:
The three key areas are mutually dependent on each other, and issue priorities may overlap.
Economic Growth
Ports & Waterways
The ports and waterways of Southeast Texas are the backbone of economic development opportunity for Southeast Texas. Sustained growth and improvement to our four ports and federal ship channel is the greatest economic driver to the region.
In 2023, the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) approved $240 million in port funding, $66 million of which was appropriated to four Southeast Texas ports. Recently, the TTC approved a loan to fund $357 million to meet the local project cost share on the Sabine-Neches Navigation District’s (SNND) waterway deepening project.
Infrastructure
Southeast Texas is experiencing unprecedented infrastructure growth and improvement due in large part to the efforts of our elected officials. Traffic congestion from roadwork and the increased construction workforce is a near-term frustration for long-term benefit. In light of the great progress that has been made to improve infrastructure in Southeast Texas, more attention is needed in critically challenged regions such as Sabine Pass. Additionally, the dramatic collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor on March 26, 2024, raised concern for the many bridges and overpasses of Southeast Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is currently conducting feasibility studies on alternate route projects and bridges across the two-county area.
Great attention has also been given to coastal protection for the region. Southeast Texas stands to benefit from increasing funding opportunities for the Gulf Coast Protection District and local Drainage Districts to ensure construction, maintenance, and improvements of the levee systems in Southeast Texas.
Economic Incentives
Southeast Texas experienced unprecedented industrial growth from 2012 to 2022, with the siting, construction, and operation of more than $100 billion in large-scale, private capital investments between Jefferson and Orange counties. Economic incentives such as the Chapter 313 tax abatement program that expired at the end of 2023 played a critical role in attracting billions of dollars in investment to Southeast Texas.
The 88th Legislature adopted a replacement for Chapter 313 known as the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) Act. While a replacement was needed, the flaws of the current program have shown over time and Southeast Texas has lost out on billions of potential investments.
Power Supply & Grid Hardening
Entergy Texas has reported a significant increase in electricity demand, noting that it needs to add 40 percent more power generation capacity to its grid in just four years. It plans to add two new power stations to its portfolio to help meet that demand. This addition will support many of our existing industrial sectors and aid in attracting large-scale investments in newer sectors looking for cleaner power generation sources. In order to meet its goals and extend the benefits to the region, it needs efficient regulatory consideration. Additionally, Entergy and its customers would benefit from state support to harden its grid from future weather events and natural disasters.
Additional Priorities
Quality of Life
Water Infrastructure
According to the Texas State Water Plan, Texas must invest more than $153 billion over the next fifty years in new water supply and infrastructure in order to meet the state’s growth in population and increased industry needs. The strain on residential water and wastewater systems is evident in Southeast Texas. A long-term funding strategy is needed to provide relief for existing issues and account for future growth and industrial demand.
Public Education
Public education plays a vital role in the economic development of the region. Strong school systems attract residents, develop a quality workforce, and contribute to the vitality of the community. The lack of state support and prioritization of property tax cuts along with inflation and rising operating costs have created budget deficits in school districts around the state.
Environmental Quality & Natural Resources
Water is one of the most important and precious resources we have in Southeast Texas. We are fortunate to have two River Authorities – the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) and the Sabine River Authority (SRA) – located in the Golden Triangle. The LNVA and SRA protect water quality, work to maintain affordability, and enhance the economic development of the region through supply to residential, agricultural, and industrial consumers. The Legislature will convene this upcoming year and consider statutory recommendations made by the Sunset Advisory Commission on both River Authorities.
Insurance & Windstorm Insurance Reform
Small businesses and homeowners along the Gulf Coast are disproportionately burdened costs associated with windstorm insurance and a diminished voice at the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Although current rates have remained unchanged, Southeast Texas would benefit from continued reforms at TWIA. Furthermore, insurance companies are signaling their intent to shed more risk along the Gulf Coast as they cease writing new homeowner insurance policies in Texas. Higher insurance rates and fewer provider options are squeezing Southeast Texans and consumers across the state.
Additional Priorities
Workforce Development
Higher Education
The Golden Triangle is home to four higher education institutions that fall under the Texas State University System: Lamar University (Beaumont), Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College – Orange, and Lamar State College – Port Arthur. Recent successes to lower tuition costs have substantially increased enrollments. Each institution has its own legislative priorities to keep up with demand for a quality higher education. Requests for the upcoming legislative session range from formula funding rate increases to capital funding for new buildings.
| 01/31/25 | Golden Triangle Days in Austin 2025 Legislative Agenda |
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| 07/18/24 | Sempra/Port Arthur LNG |
