HB1914/SB1894
Chamber Cronyism
Result: Public Chapter 1003
Sponsors: Sen. Gresham / Rep. Gant
CoSponsors: Doss, Lamberth, Shaw, Alexander, Wirgau, White M, Forgety, DeBerry, Eldridge, Towns
This bill authorizes cities to fund chambers of commerce and economic development organizations with revenue from natural gas utility systems. While this bill was made better by prohibiting rate increases to cover these contributions, it remains a poor practice for government to pick winners and losers while sticking taxpayers with the potential burden. Revenue surpluses from utilities should be returned to ratepayers, and not be used for corporate welfare.