Gov. Perry: Texas is Nation's Epicenter for Job Creation
Press Release
Gov. Rick Perry highlighted why Texas continues to be the best place to live, work, raise a family and start a business, including our commitment to responsible fiscal principles. The governor spoke at the International Economic Development Council's 2012 Annual Conference, which focused on the challenges and opportunities of growing jobs and investment in today's global economy.
"Thanks to our low taxes, reasonable regulations, fair courts and skilled workforce, Texas continues to be the nation's epicenter for job creation," Gov. Perry said. "By rooting our economy on these sound, fiscally conservative principles, people in Texas have a greater chance at finding a new job, a better job, and to improve their lives and the lives of their families."
The Lone Star State continues to attract employers from across the nation and around the globe to create jobs and investment. Just this week, TMK Group, an international producer of oil and gas steel pipe based in Russia, opened a new research and development center in Houston, and announced it will relocate its U.S. headquarters to Texas, creating 500 jobs. Additionally, last month Gov. Perry met with executives from M&G Group, an international PET resin manufacturer, at their headquarters in Italy, and discussed the company's finalization of plans for its third North American plant in Corpus Christi.
Texas has been the nation's top exporter for 10 years in a row. Between 2009 and 2010, Texas saw more foreign direct investment projects than the previous four years combined, according to fDi Intelligence. Over the last month, Texas added 38,000 jobs - more than any other state - and generated nearly 1.4 million jobs over the past 10 years - more than three times any other state. Texas' unemployment rate has remained below the national average for 68 straight months.
Gov. Perry credited the state's commitment to a balanced budget, low taxes and preserving a strong Rainy Day Fund with keeping Texas' economy the envy of the nation. To keep this forward momentum, the governor has called on lawmakers to commit to the principles of the Texas Budget Compact, including:
* Practice Truth in Budgeting
* Support a Constitutional limit of spending to the growth of population and inflation
* Oppose any new taxes or tax increases, and make the small business tax exemption permanent
* Preserve a strong Rainy Day Fund
* Cut unnecessary and duplicative government programs and agencies
The International Economic Development Council is the world's largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. The conference provides networking opportunities and information on business expansion and retention, entrepreneurship, and doing business internationally, among other topics.
For more information about the International Economic Development Council, please visit: http://www.iedconline.org.
For more information about Texas' economic climate, please visit: http://www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com/.
For more information about the Texas Budget Compact, please visit: http://gov.texas.gov/txbudgetcompact.
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