10 signatures reached
To: Texas Legislature and Governor
Texas is “Open for Business,” but what does that mean for Texans?
Texas is “Open for Business,” but what does that mean for Texans?
More business should mean more jobs, more tax revenue, and stronger communities. Yet, while Texas offers generous tax abatements to attract corporations, these benefits often go to companies and out-of-state workers, not to Texas residents.
Southeast Texas, home to major industry, sees few lasting gains. Corporations are required only to “prefer” local hires—with no accountability. As a result, many jobs go to temporary, out-of-state per diem workers. Texans are footing the bill while receiving little in return.
These companies thrive here, but offer no permanence, growth, or livable wages. Meanwhile, they drain local resources, strain our infrastructure, and starve our schools. If they’re benefiting from our tax dollars, the least they can do is provide permanent, well-paying jobs with benefits, protect the resources they use, and reinvest in our communities.
When jobs are scarce, wages are low, and healthcare is out of reach, Texans suffer. We want leaders who build healthy, inclusive communities. That requires corporate accountability. We cannot allow Texas to become a tax shelter for businesses that give little back.
Rural areas crumble, education ranks near the bottom nationally, and violent crime outpaces the U.S. average. Most Texans live paycheck to paycheck, unable to cover emergencies. Over 40% earn poverty wages—less than $15/hour in a state where surviving requires at least $55,000 annually. And as corporations dodge taxes, property owners must make up the difference.
If our tax investment in these companies yields no benefit, it’s a bad deal. The return on investment is dismal. Texans shouldn’t bankroll businesses that hire only 20% of us in unstable roles, pollute our land and water, and reshape our communities without consent.
Our elected officials must secure a better deal for Texans. Big business must invest in Texas, and you must invest in us—the people who put you in office. Our voices are being drowned out by corporate money that buys tax exemptions and regulatory escape at our expense. Trading our clean air, public lands, and fair wages for corporate favoritism is a betrayal.
We, the people of Texas, demand:
• That our representatives champion the people, not corporations.
• That companies moving to Texas hire at least 60% local workers in permanent, benefitted positions with competitive wages and growth opportunities, and significant safety measures for workers.
• That a bipartisan commission assess and enforce environmental compliance in line with international standards with remediation requirements.
• That any company receiving abatements contribute at least 20% of net profits annually to public schools, libraries, infrastructure, or parks.
Tax abatements are starving our state. These companies come in at a discount, exploit low-wage labor, skip healthcare and safety protections, and decimate the ecosystems and services we all rely on. This is not a benefit to Texans.
Sacrificing our livelihoods and environment for corporate gain is unacceptable. Business growth must not come at the cost of our people. We call on our leaders to renegotiate these arrangements, raise the bar on local job creation, demand fair taxation, and protect what makes Texas home.
Invest in our communities. Invest in your constituents. Require businesses in Texas to do the same.
More business should mean more jobs, more tax revenue, and stronger communities. Yet, while Texas offers generous tax abatements to attract corporations, these benefits often go to companies and out-of-state workers, not to Texas residents.
Southeast Texas, home to major industry, sees few lasting gains. Corporations are required only to “prefer” local hires—with no accountability. As a result, many jobs go to temporary, out-of-state per diem workers. Texans are footing the bill while receiving little in return.
These companies thrive here, but offer no permanence, growth, or livable wages. Meanwhile, they drain local resources, strain our infrastructure, and starve our schools. If they’re benefiting from our tax dollars, the least they can do is provide permanent, well-paying jobs with benefits, protect the resources they use, and reinvest in our communities.
When jobs are scarce, wages are low, and healthcare is out of reach, Texans suffer. We want leaders who build healthy, inclusive communities. That requires corporate accountability. We cannot allow Texas to become a tax shelter for businesses that give little back.
Rural areas crumble, education ranks near the bottom nationally, and violent crime outpaces the U.S. average. Most Texans live paycheck to paycheck, unable to cover emergencies. Over 40% earn poverty wages—less than $15/hour in a state where surviving requires at least $55,000 annually. And as corporations dodge taxes, property owners must make up the difference.
If our tax investment in these companies yields no benefit, it’s a bad deal. The return on investment is dismal. Texans shouldn’t bankroll businesses that hire only 20% of us in unstable roles, pollute our land and water, and reshape our communities without consent.
Our elected officials must secure a better deal for Texans. Big business must invest in Texas, and you must invest in us—the people who put you in office. Our voices are being drowned out by corporate money that buys tax exemptions and regulatory escape at our expense. Trading our clean air, public lands, and fair wages for corporate favoritism is a betrayal.
We, the people of Texas, demand:
• That our representatives champion the people, not corporations.
• That companies moving to Texas hire at least 60% local workers in permanent, benefitted positions with competitive wages and growth opportunities, and significant safety measures for workers.
• That a bipartisan commission assess and enforce environmental compliance in line with international standards with remediation requirements.
• That any company receiving abatements contribute at least 20% of net profits annually to public schools, libraries, infrastructure, or parks.
Tax abatements are starving our state. These companies come in at a discount, exploit low-wage labor, skip healthcare and safety protections, and decimate the ecosystems and services we all rely on. This is not a benefit to Texans.
Sacrificing our livelihoods and environment for corporate gain is unacceptable. Business growth must not come at the cost of our people. We call on our leaders to renegotiate these arrangements, raise the bar on local job creation, demand fair taxation, and protect what makes Texas home.
Invest in our communities. Invest in your constituents. Require businesses in Texas to do the same.
Why is this important?
While business is important for our state's growth, responsible, regulated, and TAXED business is necessary for our state's survival.
We demand that our representatives speak up for the people in our community, renegotiate the standards upon which we solicit and accept industry in Texas by increasing the hire local requirement and instituting measurable accountability, and remediate, reinvest, and revitalize the environment and infrastructure in the communities they benefit from.