A Symposium on the Texas Economy

The Texas Tribune is pleased to present a daylong symposium on the state of the state's economy. Topics of discussion will include best practices in job creation, the fight over economic incentives, what’s next for tax reform and the inner workings of the Texas budget.

8:00 am: Breakfast

8:30 am: The Budget and Spending

Supported by the Texas Business Leadership Council

• State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston
• State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin
• State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton
• State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood
• Moderator: Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune

9:45 am: Taxes

• State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton
• State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston
• Mike Collier, finance co-chair for the Texas Democratic Party
• Dale Craymer, president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association
• Moderator: Chris Tomlinson, business columnist for the Houston Chronicle

11:00 am: The Business Climate

• State Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville
• Bill Hammond, CEO of the Texas Association of Business
• Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First
• State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas
• Moderator: Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune

12:00 pm: Lunch

12:30 pm: One-on-One with Comptroller Glenn Hegar

Supported by Ryan

• Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller
• Moderator: Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune

This event will take place in the Stubblefield Auditorium in Cemo Hall at the University of Houston Central Campus. It is free and open to the public, and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Visitor paid parking will be available in the Welcome Center Parking Garage and the East Garage (parking map, campus map and driving directions).

The Tribune's symposia are modeled on the celebrated Texas Tribune Festival. These one-day, one-topic events bring together experts to present and generate productive conversations on major issues of the day.

This event is supported by the University of Houston, the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, the Texas Association of School Business Officials, Ryan, Texas Executive Education, Texas State Technical College, Texas Central, Raise Your Hand Texas, Texas Business Leadership Council and Southwest Airlines, the official airline of Texas Tribune Events. Media support is provided by the Houston Chronicle. Tribune events are also supported through contributions from our founding investors and members.

Disclosure: Though donors and corporate sponsors underwrite our events, they play no role in determining the content, panelists or line of questioning.