Page 10 - Builder Brief August 2022 Issue

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
As the Economy Cools
WE NEED YOUR HELP
EDUCATING ELECTED
OFFICIALS
Save the Date: 4th Annual 3PAC Fundraiser Oct. 13th
As the growing affordability crisis threatens the residential housing industry, your leadership team, key members, and staff at the Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) are preparing for the next legislative session in Texas and continuing to stay active on the local level as well as in Washington. We are less than six months from the start of the 88th Legislative Session in Texas. The time between sessions is referred to as the ‘interim.’ Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Dade Phelan have issued interim charges and assigned the issues to the respective Senate and House Committee.
The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) government affairs team identified 22 charges that we are all tracking. Several critical issues affect each of our members, including supply chains, electricity, homestead exemptions, property tax relief, workforce education, tax exemptions, and appraisal reform, to name a few.
Affordable housing is one of the interim charges. The Senate and House Committees will look at methods for providing and financing affordable housing and how to utilize existing federal, state, and local programs better. Extraterritorial jurisdictions are on the list, too, as conflicts continue to arise on municipal extraterritorial jurisdictions and annexation powers along with who has de-annexation authority. This issue is being studied in the Local Government Committee in the Senate, chaired by Senator Paul Bettencourt and Vice Chair Senator Jose Menendez from San Antonio.
With the recent outcry on the dramatic increase in property taxes as property values rise, the Senate Finance Committee will look at recommended ways to reduce Texans’ property tax burdens. This committee is looking at possibly eliminating the school district maintenance and operations property tax, which would provide tax relief to all property owners.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is also taking action on the growing affordability crisis and has identified this critical issue as one of NAHB’s priorities this year as it threatens to derail the housing industry and the country’s current economic expansion. NAHB is also addressing supply chain disruptions, material costs, and workforce development with the Biden Administration and key members of the Senate and House.
I share this critical information with you because one of our most important events of the year is the 3PAC Event scheduled for Thursday, October 13th. This fundraising event raises personal funds for us to support pro- housing and pro-business incumbents and candidates on the local, state, and national levels. Over the past five years, your leadership team and key members have engaged more with our elected officials than ever. We reach out to our delegation often and keep them informed on what is happening in the single-family building industry.
KRISTI SUTTERFIELD
If you want to join in the fight to keep housing affordable and ease government restrictions and regulations, please attend the 3PAC fundraiser on October 13th and pledge $300 in personal funds. We aim to raise $30,000, and we can’t meet that goal without YOU! We expect several elected officials from San Antonio to attend, including members from local City Councils, Texas House and Senate members, and key Congressional delegates too. We sincerely need your support!! You can find additional information on page 22 of this issue of the Builder Brief.
We continue to invite our elected officials to GSABA events, and Councilman John Courage will attend our Tuesday, August 16th, Board of Directors meeting at 11:30 am. Congressman Vincente Gonzales will join us for our Thursday, August 18th Membership Mixer at 5:00 pm hosted by Hotchkiss Insurance that will take place in the GSABA Ballroom. Please join us for both meetings-there is no charge to attend, but we need your reservation so our team can have a lunch waiting for you at the board meeting and plan accordingly for the mixer.
Thank you for all you do for the homebuilding industry and GSABA. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events. Please call on me or any member of my staff if we can help you in any way!
Warm Regards,
10 AUGUST 2022 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION