Advocacy

The Voice of Business for Longview & East Texas

Do you believe in business? We do!

For more than 100 years, the Longview Chamber of Commerce has served as a catalyst for business success. We champion growth, advocate for smart policy, and create opportunities that help East Texans thrive.

Advocacy is action. During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, we represented the voice of Longview employers at the Capitol, working with elected leaders to strengthen our workforce, improve education, and protect a competitive business climate.

With more than 1,100 members representing over 45,000 East Texans, the Chamber continues to be a strong and solutions-focused voice at the local, state, and national levels.

Our Mission

Create a predictable, competitive, and opportunity-rich environment for employers.

Everything we do supports that mission through data, policy leadership, and regional collaboration.

Download the 89th Legislative Session Scorecard

Gold Sponsors:

Federal Advocacy

Protecting competitiveness and reducing federal burdens for employers.

Key Federal Wins (2021–2025)

Protected Tax Cuts & Jobs Act provisions, preserving deductions and small-business benefits that directly impact capital investment and job creation.

2025 Annual Report

Secured automatic tariff exclusions for small importers—critical for manufacturers and supply-chain employers.
Advanced East Texas’s energy economy through support for:
- Carbon capture incentives
- EPA primacy for sequestration wells
- 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit
Supported modernization of H-1B and H-2B visa allocations to address talent shortages.
Backed U.S. Chamber litigation protecting business from overreach:
- FTC noncompete ban
- CFPB credit card late fee rule
- Workforce classification and reporting mandates
Supported federal investments expanding rural broadband, digital equity, and employer access to remote-work infrastructure.

Why This Matters to Longview

Reliable broadband, predictable taxes, fair regulations, and accessible workforce visas are foundational to business stability and growth in East Texas.

State Advocacy (Texas Legislature)

Shaping policy that affects talent, infrastructure, and the overall business climate.

Key State Wins (2021–2025)

HB 8: Modernized Community College Funding
Funding now rewards:
- Workforce-aligned programs
- Dual credit affordability
- Credentials tied to regional demand
- Stronger employer–college partnerships
Strengthened CTE & credentialing pathways, supporting the Chamber’s Career Kickstart and AP alignment work.
Advanced aquifer sustainability and regulatory clarity, helping launch the Local Water Task Force.
Elevated issues around:
- Commercial & health insurance cost pressures
- Mental health as a workforce stability issue
- Transportation, rail modernization, and freight mobility
Kelly Hall appointed to the Common Ground USA Texas Council to help reduce political polarization and improve civic trust statewide.

Why This Matters to Longview

These reforms directly support Kilgore College, TSTC, UT Tyler, ISDs, and employers who need consistent talent pipelines and predictable operating conditions.

Regional Advocacy (East Texas) Coalition)

The region’s unified voice for major priorities.

In 2023, the Longview Chamber led the formation of the East Texas Coalition—a permanent, high-level strategic body aligning chambers around shared priorities while keeping individual advocacy trips and local work separate.

2025 Annual Report

Coalition Priority Areas

Workforce & education
Water & aquifer sustainability
Energy
Healthcare
Insurance
Infrastructure
Economic competitiveness

“The East Texas Coalition has given our region something it never had before: a permanent, strategic body aligning priorities and strengthening East Texas’ influence.”
— Mark Robinson, AEP/SWEPCO

Why This Matters to Longview

Regional alignment increases influence in Austin and Washington, reducing duplication and strengthening East Texas’ competitiveness.

Local Advocacy

Strengthening civic trust, quality of place, and the local business environment.

Key Local Achievements

Hosted Candidate Forums providing clear, unbiased business-focused information.
Convened the Annual Elected Officials Reception, increasing access and strengthening relationships.
Delivered ballot proposition briefings, legislative scorecards, and policy summaries.
Supported major initiatives including the LISD Bond and the County Parking Facility.
Led the Affordable/Attainable Housing Task Force, addressing production barriers aligned with the City’s Housing Study.
Created broadband, workforce, and housing dashboards to guide local decision-making.
Supported local work on mental health, public safety, transportation, and redevelopment as workforce issues.
Convened employers and ISDs, culminating in the Superintendents Forum and alignment around AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity.

“We are entering a season where chambers must be catalytic, not just supportive. This work set the stage for the future.”
— Andy Hill, Mobberly Baptist Church

Why This Matters to Longview

Local advocacy builds the foundation employers need to recruit talent, expand operations, and plan for the long term.