Business & Labor

Energizing Texas Small Business

In 1997, Senator Ellis created the Texas Capital Access Fund providing up to $140 million in private lending to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. The program helps small businesses that do not qualify for conventional financing to access the capital they need through a unique public-private partnership. Senator Ellis' leadership on capital access and tax issues for business led Small Business United of Texas to give him, in 1999, their first-ever Christopher Scott Award for legislative leadership for small businesses.

Rewarding State Employees

In 2001, Senator Ellis led the effort to reward hardworking state employees with the largest pay raise in over 20 years. In total, Ellis' legislation provides $480.1 million for state employee pay raises. Texas' staffing troubles impact not only the effectiveness of state agencies, but the health of the state budget. According to the State Auditor, high turnover rates in state agencies will cost Texas $500 million over the biennium.

Expanding Opportunities for Minority & Women-Owned BusinessesLegislation by Senator Ellis has increased the number of state contracts awarded to minority-and-women-owned businesses. Since 1993, state agencies have awarded more than $5 billion in state contracts to HUBs, representing 13 percent of all state contracts.

Legislative Accomplishments

Fighting For Green Jobs

Perhaps the greatest policy and moral issue of our time is how we meet the challenges of climate change. Earlier this session, Senator Ellis called for swift action on a series of legislation which will reduce emissions, combat global warming, increase renewable energy use, create new high-tech green jobs and boost energy efficiency in Texas.