AUSTIN — Today Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa passed C.S.S.B.1084, relating to the Enterprise Zone Program, out of the Texas Senate. Senator Hinojosa filed S.B. 1084 as a legislative priority to create jobs in the state of Texas, specifically in economically distressed areas.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

This legislation is about creating opportunity for Texans in blighted communities through the creation of new jobs and new investment.

This bill emphasizes stronger incentives for job creation, maintains incentives for job retention, and promotes small business participation in the program.

A provision of the bill that I am particularly proud of is incentivizing the hiring of veterans as part of a qualifying businesses workforce requirements. As our service-members are returning home, we should make sure as many doors of opportunity are open to them as possible. This provision will also give businesses extra flexibility with an extra labor pool to draw from for the program's workforce requirements.

Jobs provide opportunities for individuals and families to better their situation and prospects. Jobs provide young adults with hope of a better future, individuals and parents the pride and dignity of being able to support themselves and their family, and communities the promise of an economically attractive future.

The state of Texas leads the nation in job creation and consistently has a lower unemployment rate that national average. This bill will induce growth and economic development making sure these distressed communities prosper with the state and are part of Texas' flourishing economy.

Senator Hinojosa authored the original bill creating the Enterprise Zone Program in the '80s to provide businesses with performance-based incentives to locate in economically disadvantaged areas and create jobs. The Enterprise Zone Program refunds sales taxes to qualifying businesses that meet employment and investment criteria set out in statute. It has proven to be one of the most successful economic programs in the state of Texas with one of the best return on investment.

C.S.S.B. 1084 will now be referred to the Texas House of Representatives for consideration.

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