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Ray Adauto
Executive Vice President El Paso Association of Builders
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Visiting the State Capitol on short notice is exhilarating and needed. That’ s how I put the most recent rip to testify at a Texas Legislative Committee hearing that saw myself and Kelly Sorenson taking on March 13. It was a fast visit with both of us glad we went but exhausted afterwards. Testifying in support of HB23, a top priority bill from the House leadership, meant that both of us would miss our Board meeting, but it was important enough to be asked by TAB to do. HB23 is proposed legislation on third party for the entire state. While El Paso has twenty years’ experience with a third party some municipalities do not welcome third party. HB23 would allow third party in all municipalities following strict guidelines set forth by those municipalities, offering third party it is argued, helps |
keep costs down and improves the affordability issue in Texas. Too many cities say no to third party, or limit them, pretty much because they can, making choice difficult for the builders in those municipalities. TAB is in favor of HB23, and despite a hiccup from our own City of El Paso the Committee was gracious and asking about our experiences. This is an especially important part of |
the Association Fraternity, helping others to keep on building, and to help consumers with choice and affordability. We won’ t know if HB23 will get through the committee and onto calendars, but rest assured El Paso will go whenever we are asked to. |