Chicago takes out Dallas Morning News ad to bait businesses after new Texas abortion, voting laws

Chicago targets Texas’s new social policy with a full-page ad in Sunday’s Dallas Morning News, urging corporations uncomfortable with the state’s recently enacted abortion and electoral laws to head to the windy city.

World Business Chicago, the city’s public-private business development arm, bought the print ad that begins “Dear Texas” before delving into reasons why businesses should move north. The city’s startup ecosystem in the Midwest, the attraction of technology and engineering graduates, and a high-ranking logistics and transport sector are cited as strengths.

Then it works on what it perceives to be Texas’ new weakness.

“In Chicago we believe in every person’s right to vote, the protection of reproductive rights and science in the fight against COVID-19,” the ad said.

“We believe that the values ​​of the city you do business in are more important than ever,” Michael Fassnacht, CEO of World Business Chicago, told Bloomberg News on Friday.

The Lone Star State made headlines after enacting the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country and an election overhaul that added electoral restrictions.

Governor Greg Abbott defended the controversial legislation in an appearance on CNBC, saying it will attract even more business growth in Texas. The state is currently asserting itself against its competitors in the race for California company relocations.

Texas-based companies have remained relatively silent about the abortion law known as the Heartbeat Act, which essentially bans abortion after six weeks. Dallas-based Match Group and Austin-based Bumble, both dating app companies, are among the few to publicly denounce this.

Despite the lack of corporate upheaval, Chicago’s public attempt to snatch frustrated Texan companies could signal the concerns of some experts that the new policies could harm the state’s growing economy.

“Laws that are less inclusive, whether they make elections more difficult, restrict opportunities based on gender or gender identity, restrict access to health care for those in need, or inappropriately restrict flexibility in family planning, pose a significant risk for prolonged periods of time the Texan economy, ”said Texas economist Ray Perryman.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont also publicly announced business opportunities in his state on Friday.

“We don’t have oil or natural gas, but we have one of the most productive, educated and innovative workers in the world,” he said, without naming Texas directly.

Although the full effects of the new laws are yet to be seen, Texas surpasses Connecticut and Illinois with welcoming tax policies. The state has no personal or corporate taxes, traits that companies often prefer.

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