GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
HECTOR MORALES, JR., MPAFF
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SAN ANTONIO APARTMENT ASSOCIATION
E ven though it seems that elections are over for our region, the truth is that there are still a few campaigns going on, these are run-offs left from the Texas Primaries held on March 1st! I will touch on the runoffs of interest to our industry further down in my article.
Please read on and consider becoming part of SAAA’ s government affairs efforts; as I’ ve stated before, the success or failure of our industry’ s government affairs initiatives directly impacts your bottom line!
SAAA PAC Our second PAC fundraiser will take place on May 19th and that’ s the PAC Business Exchange. Last year this event sold out within a few hours, this year it sold out within a few minutes! The word is definitely out that this is an event you don’ t want to miss, regardless if you’ re a vendor member or an owner / management member. All members who participate benefit from this unique opportunity to get to know( or get to know better) your clients or your vendors! The Business Exchange provides an opportunity for SAAA’ s Associate Members to have unprecedented and exclusive access to prominent multifamily housing owners, executives and SAAA leadership! Just ask any member who has participated. This year this event has already raised over $ 14,000! This money goes towards our Annual PAC Goal of $ 50,000!
Elections & Grassroots The Primary Runoff elections are taking place on May 24th. There are two races that we are following: the first is a Democratic Party Runoff in House District 120, this is the seat that has been vacated by Representative Ruth Jones McClendon. HD 120 covers the east and northeast parts of the City of San Antonio and of Bexar County. The two candidates in this runoff are Barbara Gervin-Hawkins and Mario Salas. Gervin-Hawkins is the superintendent of the George Gervin Academy and CEO and President of the George Gervin Youth Center, Inc. Salas is an adjunct professor, author and is a former San Antonio City Councilman for District 2. SAAA has, with a contingency, endorsed Gervin-Hawkins.
The second race is a Republican Primary Runoff for House District 73, which encompasses Comal, Gillespie and Kendall Counties. The two candidates are: the incumbent Doug Miller and Kyle Biedermann. Miller is a former local police officer and was a Major in the Texas State Guard. Biedermann is a small businessman. Miller has been a friend to our industry and has carried legislation for TAA, SAAA has endorsed Miller.
During the year SAAA leadership and SAAA staff will continue meeting with elected officials and candidates. A special thanks to the SAAA Leadership for taking the extra time, in addition to their already heavy workloads, and away from their
12 May / June 2016 | www. saaaonline. org