Odessa to Austin

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce will seek help from the State Legislature in everything from the school start date to taxes on lakes during next year's legislative session.

"These issues that we support are one way that we get word out on particular issues affecting our local members," said chamber president Mike George.

Along with the Midland Chamber of Commerce, the Odessa chamber will have a day at the state Capitol on Feb. 17 in Austin. There, they hope to pitch their ideas on issues to representatives and senators from across the state.

The chamber is supporting legislation that would bring a total of $21 million to Texas Tech's Permian Basin campuses. Much of the expansion would be related to the addition of third-and-fourth-year medical students in July 2009.

The largest chunk of funds Texas Tech is seeking is $14 million toward a medical simulation center and clinical research laboratory.

"The Texas Tech Health Sciences Center is probably the biggest new facility matter that needs to be addressed," said Tryon Lewis, the Republican nominee for the District 81 legislative position. "That's a major development for us."

Lewis is on the November ballot both for the two-month unexpired term of State Rep. Buddy West, who died in June, as well as the four-year term for District 81 that follows. He faces Libertarian candidate Elmo Hockman.

Meanwhile, the chamber is also calling for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin to receive an increased operating budget.

More funding for UTPB's existing tuition revenue bond is also sought. This is funding the school's new performing arts center, science and technology complex and the renovation of the Mesa Building.

Lewis said more funding would be needed for existing projects due to construction cost increases.

Support for a new tuition revenue bond is also being called for. It would include funding for a new engineering building, and an early childhood center and instructional facility.

Odessa College funding will also be a priority for the chamber and Lewis, who said funding for community colleges has been "flat" in recent years.

"The state needs to step up to the plate," Lewis said. "We need to get it back to where it has been."

The chamber also supports continuing with the late school start date, which the Legislature mandated starting in 2007. George said starting school the fourth Monday in August benefits the economy.

"An early start date affects tourism," he said. "It cuts the summer short."

The chamber also calls for finding a permanent, long-term solution to state parks funding issues.

"The state parks have been neglected by the state, funding wise, for several years," George said. "A lot of attention needs to be paid to our state parks so Texans and visitors to our state can be proud of our state parks."

For Ector County, support is sought for zoning and code authority for subdivisions within the county.

Among the possible issues the chamber opposes is the imposition of fees or taxes for the purpose of building lakes or reservoirs. George said this would affect the Colorado River Municipal Water District, which supplies water to Odessa.

With Lewis likely to be District 81's new representative, George said the chamber doesn't expect a dropoff from what West was able to accomplish.

"Tryon's already on top of the issues and has been doing his homework in preparation for the upcoming session," George said. "We look forward to his representing Ector County and his other counties in a very supportive role."

Lewis said the chamber plays a valuable role, acting as a "clearinghouse" for legislative programs for the city, county, schools and other entities.

"The chamber works hard on things that are good for Odessa and good for our community," he said. 

WHAT'S ON IT?

Highlights of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce's 2009 legislative agenda:

>> Opposing any bill that would erode the City Council's local authority to govern the city, as well as any bill that would place caps on city tax revenue or place additional caps on appraisals.

>> Supporting Ector County construction and maintenance of the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program, provided that population data from the 2000 census is used. Because that would put the county's population below 125,000, and it would exempt the county from having to fund the education program.

>> Sufficient base funding for all community colleges.

>> Continued health benefits for all community college employees.

>> Federal tax credits for Short Line railroads.