NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
Tonight local leaders have a sense of accomplishment that maybe they got their needs across to state lawmakers and they didn't have to go to the state capitol for the accomplishment.
Just as legislative sessions are held every two years, so is the Lone Star Legislative Summit.
The difference is today's discussion was on East Texas home turf.
"So you have people from a multitude of counties here today. I've already seen at least three or four counties represented," said Senator Robert Nichols.
No laws are passed, but panel discussions allow an exchange between local leaders and state decision makers.
The topics are jobs and the economy, education, healthcare and natural resources.
The common denominator is a growing and diverse Texas population.
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst provides a warning of what to expect.
"The demographers say, for all you business people, look out. We're growing over the next 30 years. Our population will come close to doubling, doubling. From 25 million to almost 45 million," said Dewhurst.
Dewhurst said he wanted to keep his talk bipartisan, but references of his unhappiness with Washington served as a reminder he is, after all, running for U.S. Senate.
With so many state legislators and Austin experts in Nacogdoches, participants say it actually takes on a feel of being in Austin.
Which makes the legislative summit the closest thing to being in Austin without the need to pack a bag.
The Legislative Summit was made possible by several sponsors.
The presenting sponsor was Norbord.
Four levels of sponsorships enabled many individuals and businesses, including KTRE, to show their support for today's event.
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