Allen City Council, the Allen ISD board of trustees and the Allen Chamber of Commerce outlined their goals for the 2027 Texas Legislature at an Oct. 29 meeting. The Allen City Council approved its list of six priorities at an Oct. 27 meeting.
Assistant city manager Rebecca Vice said city leaders want to work with state leaders while protecting local officials' ability to respond to the community's needs. The city's priorities include the Kalahari/Texas Qualified Hotel Project, protecting fiscal capacity and essential services, and supporting strong local schools.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is seeking to develop a $950 million resort with indoor and outdoor waterparks at the southwest corner of SH 121 and Stacy Road. Dan Bowman, president and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Corp., said a 2023 bill added Allen to the Qualified Hotel Project, which provides a rebate on hotel occupancy and sales taxes for 10 years. He said rising construction costs and high interest rates have made projects like Kalahari more expensive, so city leaders are asking lawmakers to extend the program to 20 years. "Without the QHP benefits, these projects just are not financeable at this point," Bowman said.
Allen ISD's board approved its own legislative priorities in September, focused on teacher recruitment and retention and school funding. Board Vice President Bill Parker said the district reviewed input from local legislators, webinars and neighboring districts. Allen Chamber of Commerce CEO Kyle Jacobson said quality local schools also help the city attract companies.