The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce recapped its Legislative Day trip to the state capitol in Austin on Feb. 19:
Our Legislative Day trip to Austin on February 19th was a resounding success! With several community and business leaders, including 28 traveling on our chartered bus, we proudly represented Brownwood at the State Capitol.
Recognized at the Capitol
We were honored to be recognized on the floor of the House by Representative David Spiller and on the floor of the Senate by Senator Phil King, a testament to our community’s strong presence and engagement in state affairs.
One-on-One Legislative Updates
During our private meetings, Senator King and Representative Spiller shared insights on key legislative priorities:
Property Tax Relief – Senator King discussed SB 4 & SJR 2, which would increase the homestead exemption to $140,000 ($150,000 for seniors & disabled individuals) and ensure school districts remain fully funded.
Bail Reform & Public Safety – Senator King highlighted his efforts to prevent violent criminals from being released on bail, including SJR 1 (“Jocelyn’s Law”), which would deny bail to undocumented immigrants charged with felonies.
Education & Business Growth – Representative Spiller emphasized school voucher proposals, funding for rural healthcare, and property rights protections that support businesses and economic development in our region.
Border Security & Law Enforcement – He also discussed legislation to enhance state-led immigration enforcement, prevent unauthorized land purchases by foreign entities, and strengthen Texas’ sovereignty in handling border issues.
Evening Reception at The Austin Club
The day concluded with an evening reception at The Austin Club, where Representative Spiller joined us for further discussions and networking. It was a great opportunity to connect with our state leaders in a more informal setting.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Texas Bank – Official Trip Sponsor TSTC – Sponsored Our Lunch
Mark Molamphy (Ethos Pet Brand) – Sponsored Breakfast Pastries (Mark and his staff did an impressive job of chairing the Legislative Day committee for our trip.
This trip was a powerful reminder of the importance of advocacy and engagement in shaping policies that impact our businesses and community.