Speaker Straus Selects Rep. Nevárez on Committee to Review Incentives Programs

AUSTIN – Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) selected State Representative Poncho Nevárez (D-Eagle Pass) today to the Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives, which will assess the economic benefit provided by state and local incentive programs and make recommendations to make those programs more effective and efficient.

The committee will determine the types of economic development projects that offer the most benefit to the state and suggest opportunities to focus on such projects. It will also discuss how to make programs more efficient.

“Texas has been very successful in attracting job creators and fostering economic opportunity,” Speaker Straus said. “We owe it to taxpayers to take a detailed look at what has worked and what can be improved. Some incentive programs may need retooling and others may have outlived their usefulness. I’m confident that this committee can supply the answers that will help the full House prepare to address this issue in next year’s session.”

The Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives will be chaired by Rep. Angie Chen Button of Richardson and Eddie Rodriguez of Austin will serve as vice chair. Also serving on the committee will be Reps. Trent Ashby of Lufkin, Joe Deshotel of Port Arthur, John Kuempel of Seguin, Jodie Laubenberg of Murphy, J.M. Lozano of Kingsville, Borris Miles of Houston, Poncho Nevarez of Eagle Pass, René Oliveira of Brownsville, Mary Ann Perez of Pasadena, Drew Springer of Muenster and Jason Villalba of Dallas.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work on this committee that is of utmost importance if Texas is going to continue to be a leader in economic growth,” Nevárez states. “I’m honored Speaker Joe Straus saw fit to include me along with my colleagues in this endeavor.”