Presenting Sponsor:

Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce

113th CongressFederal Legislative Priorities

Membership1,100 MembersApprox. 94% Small Business

TerritoryBoundaries inclued the City of Humble and a portion of northeast Harris County and south Montgomery County from New Caney to the north, Huffman to the east, Aldine Westfield Road to the west and Beltway 8 to the south.

FundingSelf-funded by membership sales and special events

StaffSeven full-time and one part-time employee

MissionThe Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce is a cooperative effort of business people to attract new busi-ness, support and strenghen the business environment, serve the needs of the members and cooperate with civic leaders and other interested parties to promote commu-nity growth.

Strategic goals of the Lake Hous-ton Area Chamber of Commerce1. Provide opportunities for involvement and informa-tion that will build the business development focus of the Chamber.2. Serve as a unifying voice and advocate to local, state and federal governments regarding issues that affect member businesses.3. Increase the membership growth and retention and participation of members through the development of chamber business solutions for our members.4. Increase Chamber programming focus on serving the needs of small, minority and women-owned business.5. Provide Chamber/Community events to engage mem-bers in the Lake Houston Area.6. Implement the Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Lake Houston Area.

Contact Information:Charlie Dromgoole, President & CEO110 W. Main Street, Humble, TX 77338P: 281-446-2128 F: 281-446-7483LakeHouston.orgcdromgoole@lakehouston.org

LAke Houston Area Chamber of Commerce

Federal Legislative Priorities Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce

TAX REFORMTax reform in as issue of great significance to our member businesses. The LHA Chamber is not only concerned with taxes being too high for businesses, but also the complexity of the tax code which leads to an excessive amount of ad-ministrative costs businesses spend to calculate their taxes. The Lake Houston Area Chamber supports a streamlined tax system that increases the predictability and attractiveness of the American market.

HEALTHCAREThe LHA Chamber supports healthcare reform that addresses the irrepressible costs of our healthcare system and im-proves the quality of healthcare and expands coverage to the uninsured. We feel it is necessary to continue to evaluate reform options that decrease the current strain on our nation’s job creators while also enabling our healthcare providers to provide innovative, high-quality care.

EDUCATIONAs our very own Lone Star College System is the fastest-growing community college in the nation and a major contribu-tor to the local and regional economy, the LHA Chamber supports policies to increase college access and success, af-fordability and transparency. We support legislation to ensure student loans are affordable and simplifying the federal student aid application.

The Lake Houston Area Chamber supports the government giving flexibility to local school districts to allocate federal funds to the areas of greatest need. We support an increase in Title 1 Funding and additional funding for special educa-tion (IDEA) grants. We support an exception from “maintenance of effort” for school districts that demonstrate efficien-cies in lowering costs while maintaining all required programs.

ENERGYLake Houston Area is a vital part of the Greater Houston Region which is one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world. As oil and gas is the major driver in job creation and economic growth for our region, the Lake Houston Area Chamber supports a regulatory framework that encourages responsible development of newly, discovered energy re-sources and keeping industry taxes fair and conducive to economic expansion and growth. We support streamlining the permitting process for energy infrastructure projects, and resisting regulations that burden the economy and threaten the reliability of our energy supply.

LocationLocated in the northeast quadrant of the Hous-ton metropolitan area, the Lake Houston Area includes Atascocita, Fall Creek, Humble, King-wood (City of Houston), and Summerwood.

Public EducationHumble ISDSpring ISD (portion)Aldine ISD (portion)Lone Star College-Kingwood

IncomeMedian Household Income......................$71,911Ave. Household Income…........................$91,571Per Capita Income…………....................$30,993

Population - 2013Lake Houston Area ...................................235,414Atascocita (77346).......................................56,147Fall Creek Area (77396)..............................44,851Humble (77338)...........................................35,431Kingwood (77339 & 77345).......................66,626Summerwood Area (77044)........................32,3592018 Projected Poulation ..........................260,165

Data for all businesses in the lake houston areaTotal Businesses: 7,347Total Employees: 65,592Total Residential Population: 260,491Employee/Residential Population Ratio: 0.24

Labor Force:Civilian Population 16+: 130,671Employed Civilian Population 16+: 121,038Unemployed Population 16+: 9,6332010 Unemployment Rate: 7%

Top ten EmployersCompany # Employees1. Humble ISD 1,9102. Kingwood Medical Center 1,3003. Insperity 1,2004. Wal-Mart 1,1445. Memorial Hermann Northeast 9336. Bush Intercontinental Airport 7507. Lynchner State Jail 7278. Randall Reed’s Planet Ford 5899. Harris County 55010. Kroger 539

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDINGLHA Chamber supports providing long term transportation investments based on regional priorities to facilitate eco-nomic growth. The LHA Chamber is supportive of programs that result in adequate federal investments in the nation’s transportation systems that are sustainable, predictable and dedicated funding mechanisms and encourages public/private partnerships. The LHA Chamber supports transportation programs that enhance the movement of goods and US economic competitiveness. Programs that facilitate economic development and increase access to jobs and markets should be prioritized for funding. Ongoing investment in the improvement of the Houston Ship Channel is critical to ensure this region continues to capture its share of economic prosperity delivered because of maritime commerce.

REGULATORY REFORM The LHA Chamber supports regulatory structures that are consistent and open, and allow businesses to adequately plan. We oppose expanding the authority of federal agencies to intervene in local and state business affairs, particularly where such authority is duplicative or inconsistent with current regulations. We feel policy makers should focus on reducing excessive regulations in order to promote economic growth and job creation.

INTERNATIONAL TRADEWe support the reauthorization of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States, and a simultaneous increase in its lending cap. We support agreements which help small and large businesses reach new customers by opening foreign markets.

Lake Houston Area Overview

Federal Legislative Priorities Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce

TAX REFORMTax reform in as issue of great significance to our member businesses. The LHA Chamber is not only concerned with taxes being too high for businesses, but also the complexity of the tax code which leads to an excessive amount of ad-ministrative costs businesses spend to calculate their taxes. The Lake Houston Area Chamber supports a streamlined tax system that increases the predictability and attractiveness of the American market.

HEALTHCAREThe LHA Chamber supports healthcare reform that addresses the irrepressible costs of our healthcare system and im-proves the quality of healthcare and expands coverage to the uninsured. We feel it is necessary to continue to evaluate reform options that decrease the current strain on our nation’s job creators while also enabling our healthcare providers to provide innovative, high-quality care.

EDUCATIONAs our very own Lone Star College System is the fastest-growing community college in the nation and a major contribu-tor to the local and regional economy, the LHA Chamber supports policies to increase college access and success, af-fordability and transparency. We support legislation to ensure student loans are affordable and simplifying the federal student aid application.

The Lake Houston Area Chamber supports the government giving flexibility to local school districts to allocate federal funds to the areas of greatest need. We support an increase in Title 1 Funding and additional funding for special educa-tion (IDEA) grants. We support an exception from “maintenance of effort” for school districts that demonstrate efficien-cies in lowering costs while maintaining all required programs.

ENERGYLake Houston Area is a vital part of the Greater Houston Region which is one of the largest producers of oil and gas in the world. As oil and gas is the major driver in job creation and economic growth for our region, the Lake Houston Area Chamber supports a regulatory framework that encourages responsible development of newly, discovered energy re-sources and keeping industry taxes fair and conducive to economic expansion and growth. We support streamlining the permitting process for energy infrastructure projects, and resisting regulations that burden the economy and threaten the reliability of our energy supply.

LocationLocated in the northeast quadrant of the Hous-ton metropolitan area, the Lake Houston Area includes Atascocita, Fall Creek, Humble, King-wood (City of Houston), and Summerwood.

Public EducationHumble ISDSpring ISD (portion)Aldine ISD (portion)Lone Star College-Kingwood

IncomeMedian Household Income......................$71,911Ave. Household Income…........................$91,571Per Capita Income…………....................$30,993

Population - 2013Lake Houston Area ...................................235,414Atascocita (77346).......................................56,147Fall Creek Area (77396)..............................44,851Humble (77338)...........................................35,431Kingwood (77339 & 77345).......................66,626Summerwood Area (77044)........................32,3592018 Projected Poulation ..........................260,165

Data for all businesses in the lake houston areaTotal Businesses: 7,347Total Employees: 65,592Total Residential Population: 260,491Employee/Residential Population Ratio: 0.24

Labor Force:Civilian Population 16+: 130,671Employed Civilian Population 16+: 121,038Unemployed Population 16+: 9,6332010 Unemployment Rate: 7%

Top ten EmployersCompany # Employees1. Humble ISD 1,9102. Kingwood Medical Center 1,3003. Insperity 1,2004. Wal-Mart 1,1445. Memorial Hermann Northeast 9336. Bush Intercontinental Airport 7507. Lynchner State Jail 7278. Randall Reed’s Planet Ford 5899. Harris County 55010. Kroger 539

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDINGLHA Chamber supports providing long term transportation investments based on regional priorities to facilitate eco-nomic growth. The LHA Chamber is supportive of programs that result in adequate federal investments in the nation’s transportation systems that are sustainable, predictable and dedicated funding mechanisms and encourages public/private partnerships. The LHA Chamber supports transportation programs that enhance the movement of goods and US economic competitiveness. Programs that facilitate economic development and increase access to jobs and markets should be prioritized for funding. Ongoing investment in the improvement of the Houston Ship Channel is critical to ensure this region continues to capture its share of economic prosperity delivered because of maritime commerce.

REGULATORY REFORM The LHA Chamber supports regulatory structures that are consistent and open, and allow businesses to adequately plan. We oppose expanding the authority of federal agencies to intervene in local and state business affairs, particularly where such authority is duplicative or inconsistent with current regulations. We feel policy makers should focus on reducing excessive regulations in order to promote economic growth and job creation.

INTERNATIONAL TRADEWe support the reauthorization of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States, and a simultaneous increase in its lending cap. We support agreements which help small and large businesses reach new customers by opening foreign markets.

Lake Houston Area Overview

Presenting Sponsor:

Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce

113th CongressFederal Legislative Priorities

Membership1,100 MembersApprox. 94% Small Business

TerritoryBoundaries inclued the City of Humble and a portion of northeast Harris County and south Montgomery County from New Caney to the north, Huffman to the east, Aldine Westfield Road to the west and Beltway 8 to the south.

FundingSelf-funded by membership sales and special events

StaffSeven full-time and one part-time employee

MissionThe Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce is a cooperative effort of business people to attract new busi-ness, support and strenghen the business environment, serve the needs of the members and cooperate with civic leaders and other interested parties to promote commu-nity growth.

Strategic goals of the Lake Hous-ton Area Chamber of Commerce1. Provide opportunities for involvement and informa-tion that will build the business development focus of the Chamber.2. Serve as a unifying voice and advocate to local, state and federal governments regarding issues that affect member businesses.3. Increase the membership growth and retention and participation of members through the development of chamber business solutions for our members.4. Increase Chamber programming focus on serving the needs of small, minority and women-owned business.5. Provide Chamber/Community events to engage mem-bers in the Lake Houston Area.6. Implement the Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Lake Houston Area.

Contact Information:Charlie Dromgoole, President & CEO110 W. Main Street, Humble, TX 77338P: 281-446-2128 F: 281-446-7483LakeHouston.orgcdromgoole@lakehouston.org

LAke Houston Area Chamber of Commerce