27
Mar

Dallas BA Has Successful Rally Day

In what should be considered a very effective day at the Texas Capitol, Dallas Builders Association members journeyed to Austin on March 20 to participate in the Association’s Rally Day, presented by Jackson Walker.  Upon arriving at the Capitol, a large group of Dallas BA members joined other HBAs from around the state to be welcomed by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and TAB leadership, where the Comptroller recognized the important impact home building has for the Texas economy.

This year’s Rally Day was timely as a key builder issues had already made their way into committee hearings. So as legislators were considering how they would act on legislation that impacts housing, Dallas BA members were providing insight into the results, for better or worse, regulation would have back in the legislators’ districts.

Policy issues discussed by Dallas BA members with our service area’s legislators included:

    • The need to reduce and prevent burdensome regulations, including ensuring that building permit fees are calculated in a transparent manner consistent with the Texas constitution;
    • The need to protect the home buyer’s and builder’s choice in safe construction products instead of local governments picking market place winners and losers via mandates;
    • The need for meaningful property tax and appraisal process relief while protecting the ability of special purpose districts to provide needed service, while ensuring any resulting legislation does not increase the cost of homes by adding a labor sales tax; and,
    • The need for infrastructure and hurricane damage support for areas of Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Dallas BA’s Rally Day, presented by Jackson Walker, was an important and successful part of the Association’s advocacy mission. Dallas BA has already fielded requests for follow up with members of the state legislature and more is expected. We appreciate the participation of our members.

Dallas BA Rally Day Partners

Capitol Partner — Jackson Walker

Lunch Partners — Fox Energy Specialists and Hotchkiss Insurance Agency

Governor Partners — First American Title Company and Tim Jackson Custom Homes

Senate Partners — Altura Homes, Conine Residential Group, Neighborhood Management, Inc., Tellus Group, and Winstead PC.

Grassroot Partners — Construction Concepts, Drees Custom Homes, Dynamic Engineering, Highland Classic Homes, StoneLeaf Companies, Sherry Scott and Walton Global Holdings.