With the end of the 89th Texas Legislature upon us, the Texas Chemistry Council has been a strong advocate for the business of chemistry, fully engaged at the Capitol and working with lawmakers to ensure our state remains a global leader for our industry. In all my years of experience, I’ve never seen a session quite like this one—traditional political ideologies have morphed, flipped, and defied conventional wisdom.
Amid this shifting political landscape, this session has proven challenging for Texas businesses. This Legislature placed less emphasis on economic growth, workforce development, affordable energy, fair taxation, legal reform, sustainability, and science-based regulation. Instead, this Legislature devoted its attention to divisive social and cultural issues like border policy, foreign ownership, education agendas, gender and reproductive issues, and efforts to restrict renewable energy and regulate American-made goods. We’ve advocated for good policies and have stood firm against proposals that could harm our industry. I’m proud of the work our team has done to navigate this very challenging session and move our priorities forward.
I want to take a moment to recognize the outstanding work of our policy team—Mia McCord, Logan Harrell, and Kolton McDougald—who have spent countless hours at the Capitol advocating for you. Their expertise, dedication, and tireless efforts on behalf of our industry have made a tremendous impact throughout this session. And our Communications Director, Caroline Espinosa, has been instrumental in managing our political communications, social media, and press. Our Capitol Weekly Updates have kept members informed every step of the way, and we’ll be releasing a comprehensive Legislative Report in June to recap key outcomes and what they mean for our industry.
Looking ahead, I hope to see many of you this week in Galveston for our Texas-Louisiana EHS Seminar & Industry Tradeshow, taking place June 2–5 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. This is the premier safety seminar for the petrochemical industry in the Gulf Coast, featuring more than 70 educational sessions, continuing education accreditations, dynamic keynote speakers, and an exhibit hall filled with the latest industry tools, technologies, safety apparel and services. Whether you’re focused on safety, compliance, leadership, or innovation, there’s something for every EHS professional at this year’s seminar. If you haven’t registered yet, don’t worry—on-site registration is available.
We’ll also come together to celebrate one of our most inspiring traditions—the TCC & TCA Industry Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 5th. This event honors member company sites and individuals who exemplify excellence in safety, environmental performance, and community engagement. The banquet is officially sold out, and we look forward to celebrating the very best in our industry.
Thank you for your continued support, your leadership, and your commitment to excellence. The strength of Texas chemistry lies in the people who make it all happen—from the plant floor to the boardroom, from local communities to the halls of the Capitol. It’s an honor to represent you.
I look forward to seeing you in Galveston.