Page 10 - GSABA Builder Brief September 2021 Issue

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
PAC CONTRIBUTIONS ARE CRITICAL TO OUR SUCCESS
On October 7th, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, we will host one of the most important events of the year-—our annual PAC event to raise personal funds for the San Antonio Builders Political Action Committee (SABPAC). SABPAC provides financial support to qualified candidates and elected officials that are pro-housing and understand the importance of homeownership. Words cannot convey the importance of this fundraiser.
Last year, for the first time in the history of GSABA’s PAC fundraising efforts, we met our goals on the local, state, and national levels. We raised more than $64,000 and contributed $20,000+ to the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) HOMEPAC for candidates and incumbents running for statewide office. We also contributed $20,000+ to the National Association of Home Builders’ BUILDPAC.
Every year when you pay your membership dues, GSABA sends over 40 percent of your dues to TAB and NAHB for your state and national memberships. Your membership investment to TAB and NAHB is critical as we work together to pass sound legislation and defeat bad legislation.
Your PAC contribution is just as critical.
Last year, the GSABA Board of Director members saw firsthand how important it was for our Association to have a voice on the local, state, and national levels as businesses were closed, and restrictions were put into place during the pandemic. We lobbied our elected officials hard to designate residential construction and remodeling an essential business. We also provided the needed tools and documents that our members needed to continue to work.
In 2020, every GSABA Board member pledged $300 in personal funds to help SABPAC achieve our goals, along with 60+ members who made the personal $300 investment. There are numerous reasons why you should write the check and make the commitment.
This past session, TAB and other local associations in Texas were able to defeat numerous bills that would have significantly affected residential development and construction. Defeated legislation included bills that would have repealed prohibitions on inclusionary zoning and linkage fees; allowed counties to mandate fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes and adopt a wildland interface code; gutted product mandates reform passed in 2019; expanded county land use and construction oversight powers; and indirectly prohibited residential development over large areas of the state.
Conversely, TAB passed several bills that will protect and boost residential development and construction in Texas. These bills included legislation that will positively address overly stringent energy codes by extending and enhancing a performance path; allow for third party municipal code inspections during disasters; further protect prohibitions against mandating fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes (and add all counties to that prohibition); remove interest penalties from the agriculture roll-back tax calculation, and modernize the lien statutes.
KRISTI SUTTERFIELD
Now we are in the middle of a second special session, and a third special session may be called. Governor Abbott called a second special session that began on August 7th. This special session had a more expansive list of issues for consideration. During the current special session, we are monitoring the following issues:
• Legislation providing appropriations for additional available general revenue for property-tax relief
• Legislation shielding private employers and employees from political subdivision rules, regulations, ordinances, and other actions requiring any employment terms that exceed or conflict with federal or state law relating to any form of employment leave, hiring, employment benefits, or scheduling practices.
Municipalities' employment regulations were a TAB priority issue from the regular session and at the top of GSABA’s list. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 14 was defeated on the last day of the regular session. However, that legislation can now be reconsidered during the special session because of the Governor's proclamation.
TAB tracked over 1,800 pieces of legislation this year during the 87th Legislative session that directly or indirectly impacts your business and your bottom line. During the 2019-2020 cycle, NAHB raised $3,100,000 and contributed $3,022,000 to pro-housing candidates and incumbents
Warm regards,
10 SEPTEMBER 2021 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION