The Leader in Advocating for The
Texas Green Industry
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The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association places the success of member businesses into action by taking on all the public policy issues relevant to the Texas green industry. We advocate in the Capitol by helping policymakers to consider the needs of our member companies. Our staff and members serve as agency stakeholders and hold in-person meetings with lawmakers year-round to make sure the voice of the Green Industry is loud and clear. In our efforts, we make sure policymakers understand not simply just our business needs but, also how the success of our industry provides public policy solutions by growing a healthier and more beautiful Texas.
NEW UPDATE: The USCIS held a listening session on whether the administration should use their current authority to expand the number of H-2B visas available for this year. Texas landscape and irrigation companies as well as H-2B allies across the country were well represented on the call. The number of proponents of releasing the 64,000+ H-2B visas vastly outweighed the opposition. The administration made clear they intended to gather this information to make a decision on releasing the additional visas soon. TNLA signed on to a joint letter to the Biden Administration following the listening session to urge the administration to take action. Click here to view letter. The following are some of the many issues TNLA advocates on: Securing a Workforce The need for labor and general workforce is the biggest issue facing our industry. Whether it is securing our member’s access to H-2B & H-2A, advancing youth green industry certification, or training the justice-involved community, our association is at the forefront of advocating for solutions to the ongoing labor shortage. Our members and staff participate in national fly-ins to D.C. to urge cap relief for H-2B, and push for access to the H-2A program. TNLA staff work with the Texas Education Agency and local school officials to expand early access and exposure to our industry by promoting our industry certifications. We also ensure the justice-involved populations in state correctional facilities have access to industry-based education in order to provide labor post-release and help reduce recidivism. Water Availability & Infrastructure We can’t have a green industry in Texas without growers having the necessary water to produce their crops and consumers having accessible & affordable water resources to sustain plant life. TNLA makes sure policymakers are focused on providing water for current consumers and the generations of Texans to come. From our spearheading the Texas Water Smart initiatives to participating in state agency stakeholder meetings, TNLA advocates to guarantee water resources for the Texas green industry. Business Friendly Regulatory Environment Texas is the best state to do business for good reason! TNLA fights for policy to provide fair and predictable regulations for our member companies. Everything from pushing for reasonable taxes, common-sense plant regulations, limiting employer mandates, keeping fair licensing requirements, and protecting responsible chemical use are issues on which we remain constantly engaged. |
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