Governmental Affairs

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the only local Hispanic chamber in the state to employ a full-time governmental affairs staff member. During every state legislative session, the Hispanic Chamber will works to ensure the passage of our State Legislative Agenda in order to contribute to the prosperity of our constituents and the San Antonio community-at-large. We identify and monitor issues on the local, state and national level.

BETTER JOBS INITIATIVE

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports legislation that would assist in meeting the goals of the City Council's Better Jobs program.  The Better Jobs package is an accountable set of economic development initiatives, designed to improve the quality of life and raise the standard of living in San Antonio through the creation of a highly skilled workforce that is prepared to meet the challenges of the modern economy.

SAN ANTONIO CENTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION & RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports legislation that would create a San Antonio Center for Higher Education & Research Excellence.  Legislation is needed to reduce existing barriers to allow greater synergy and collaboration between of The University of Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to become a Center for Higher Education & Research Excellence.   Full potential cannot be reached for these institutions to pool research and faculty resources and to develop joint degree programs.

REDISTRICTING

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports preserving the current number of Texas House, Senate and U.S. Congressional Representatives in the San Antonio/Bexar County Area.

TUITION REVENUE BONDS

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports legislation that would allow The University of Texas at San Antonio to issue tuition revenue bonds to raise funds for capital projects.

PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will continue to oppose using public tax dollars to fund private education. 

STATE BOARD COMPOSITION

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports legislative review and consideration of constitutional amendments providing for increased membership on several state boards and commissions.

WATER RESOURCES

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports amending, appealing or preserving various State statutes governing interbasin transfers and water reuse, the Edwards Aquifer Authority protection of the ALCOA and CPS groundwater contracts and the Texas Natural Resources and Conservation (TNRCC), Program for Protection of the Edwards Aquifer.  In addition, the Hispanic Chamber supports the preservation of the San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) authority to charge impact fees to help finance infrastructure improvements in new residential developments.

MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITIES

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce opposes legislation that negatively impacts City Public Service and supports those provisions in Senate Bill 7 that protects the city's local control of our municipally owned utility as Texas approaches the opening date of retail competition on January 1, 2002.

MUSEUM AT THE ALAMEDA

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports appropriation for capitol construction and opening exhibit design costs for the Museum at the Alameda.

IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports legislation that would establish an Irrigation Technology Center in San Antonio that is a world class, state of the art facility for education, testing and applied research, to promote efficient irrigation, water conservation, profitable agricultural production, and quality urban landscapes.

  S.A. – D.C.

 An annual trip to Washington D.C. sponsored jointly by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. (Registration form to be included at a later date)