Texas voters demonstrate strong support for a new, transparent, and accountable economic development incentive program, according to a recent Greater Houston Partnership-Morning Consult survey.

Morning Consult surveyed more than 2,000 registered voters between April 21 - 25, 2023. Highlights of the survey included:

• 71% of Texas voters support the state utilizing economic development tools to attract businesses to relocate to Texas.
• 68% of Texas voters believe economic development programs are necessary for Texas to remain competitive in attracting new companies to relocation to the state.
• Texas voters cite job creation, increasing power grid reliability and funding for K-12 public schools as top priorities when thinking about creating a new economic development program.
• Most Texas voters would be more likely (46%) to support a candidate who voted in favor of a new economic development program, providing further evidence of broad support for economic development incentives. Additionally, very few Texas voters (11%) would be less likely to vote for a candidate if they voted in favor of a new economic development program.

“This survey comes at a pivotal time when the Texas legislature is considering legislation to create a new economic development program for the state,” the Partnership’s Chief Policy Officer Taylor Landin said. “A new, transparent, and accountable program ensures Texas and our region remains competitive in attracting large capital-intensive investments, which will bring jobs and long-term revenue to Texas communities.”

The survey also found Texas voters believe the top three priorities for the state government should be crime & public safety, health care, and immigration & border security. Additionally, twice as a many Texas voters say Texas is going in the right direction compared to the nation. 

Click here for the full report.

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