Page 6 - GSABA Builder Brief February 2021 Issue

2021 PRESIDENT
FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE
Your Involvement is Key to our Success
The National Association of Home Builders recently analyzed Census Construction Spending data. As of January 4th, 2021, it shows that total private residential construction spending was 16.1 percent higher than a year ago. This growth resulted from strong new single-family sales and remodeling improvements, which would not have been possible without construction being deemed essential.
One of the benefits of your Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) membership is a membership with the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Their lobbying efforts on our behalf are invaluable.
While 2020 was like no other year, one of the things that your leadership team is most proud of is how hard our local, state, and national associations worked to keep residential construction essential. The first $900 billion COVID-19 relief packages approved by Congress last spring included significant provisions championed by NAHB, our national Association.
We are fortunate that our national and state Associations took immediate steps to engage Washington officials and Austin lawmakers. Your local leadership team was in communication with Mayor Nirenberg and Judge Wolff when they were making decisions on the Executive Orders for San Antonio and Bexar County.
NAHB provided critical COVID-19 workplace documents in English and Spanish within 48-hours after construction was deemed essential. GSABA members received these resources right away. Your Government Affairs leadership team also kept up with the Executive Orders in place in the cities and counties our members build in.
Last year on the local level, our members held monthly zoom calls with the City of San Antonio, and we also stayed in touch with surrounding cities and counties. We continue to forge stronger relationships with CPS Energy and the San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS).
We will continue to meet with our local, state, and national elected officials and their staff to keep them apprised of the home building and remodeling industry’s critical issues. If you have a problem or challenge in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kristi or to me.
On the State level, the 87th Legislative Session started on January 12th, and your leadership team, along with dozens of GSABA members, will be engaged at the Texas Capitol. We are fortunate to have one of the most effective Government Affairs Leadership and Lobby team at the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) representing us and fighting for our industry.
We cannot stress the importance of our statewide Rally Day scheduled for Tuesday, April 13th, in Austin, TX. Please see Kristi’s article for more information and details on our face-to-face meetings.
ED BERLANGA
The new year is shaping up to be a year of growth, and your Association is here to champion the issues affecting you and your business. With homebuilder’s confidence on the rise and construction numbers surpassing expectations, we are focused on the future! Thank you for your commitment to GSABA.
Sincerely,
6 FEBRUARY 2021 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION