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Texas Association of Builders
March/April 2016
Speaking Out
Serving in public office allows me the
opportunity to help people and give back to
the community that has given me so much.
I believe that regardless of your background
everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed.
When I first ran for San Antonio City Council
I wanted to create those opportunities and a
more prosperous city.
Your parents worked hard to develop
a successful small family-owned and
operated business, much like many of
Texas’ home builders. Since you grew up
helping the family business, you know
first-hand the impact certain regulations
have on businesses. In your opinion, how
can government support and strengthen
local businesses and the overall
economic prosperity?
Local businesses drive our economy. As an
elected official it's my job to incubate the
potential of local businesses by creating laws
that reduces red tape. It's important that
Texas foster the type of pro-business climate
that made it possible for my parents to open a
small record label in San Antonio. My father
started out washing dishes in a hospital. He
saved enough money, worked hard, invested
and was ultimately able to start his own
company. That is the American Dream. As
State Senator, I want to make sure anyone
can still achieve the American Dream like my
family did.
Due to your many years of work in the
title business, you have a deep knowledge
and appreciation for the real estate
industry statewide. How will the new
disclosure rules affect real estate transfer
closings, and what should builders do, if
anything, to minimize disruptions?
The new TILA/RESPA Integrated Disclosure
(TRID) is well intended. The goal of TRID is
to give consumers enough time to educate
themselves about their mortgage before they
make a major commitment like buying a
house. While this has delayed the time it takes
to close on a house, it hasn't significantly
stopped any sales from going through.
Builders need to coordinate with lenders,
realtors, and title companies to ensure that
everything is lined up for the home to be
purchased. It shouldn't drastically change
how builders operate.
Through your line of work in the title
insurance business you have helped many
San Antonio families realize the American
Dream of homeownership. Have you
noticed a shift in home buyers and the
availability of affordable housing in
your district?
I am extremely passionate about building
affordable housing for Bexar County families.
A home gives someone a sense of belonging
and purpose. So I've made it my mission
to pass laws that help develop affordable
housing communities. Building affordable
housing takes innovative partnerships with
private sector investors, builders, and local
governments. This unique collaborative
opportunity wouldn't be possible without
Texas builders.
The demand for housing continues to
increase as the population of our state
rises. In order to meet the housing
demand, our industry needs more
trained individuals to work the various
construction trades. Many of our local
home builder associations are partnering
with community colleges to provide
resources for high school and college
students to become skilled workers. In
fact, St. Philip’s College in San Antonio
provides excellent opportunities for future
construction trade workers. As a member
of the Senate Committee of Higher
Education, what do you recommend can
be done at a state or local level to increase
the availability of a skilled workforce?
St. Philip's College is an excellent example of
the community and industry coming together
to meet a need. We know that young people
struggle to find meaningful employment
after high school. The construction industry
Senator José Menéndez
First and foremost, welcome to the Texas
Senate. After fifteen years in the House of
Representatives, you won a special election
to fill the vacated seat for San Antonio’s
Senate District 26. From your perspective
and experience, what are the significant
differences from serving in the House
and Senate?
I
t has truly been a blessing serving the
people of Senate District 26. The biggest
difference between serving in the House
of Representatives versus the Texas Senate is
the sheer number of constituents and diverse
communities I work with as a State Senator.
As a House member I represented about
177,000 people mostly on the west side of
San Antonio. Now I work for over 800,000
people and serve all of San Antonio. The
Senate is also very focused on getting the
job done for our constituents. I'm able to
pass more legislation as a State Senator and
secure millions of state dollars for crucial San
Antonio initiatives like the Alamo.
Prior to being elected to the House of
Representatives in 2000, you served on the
San Antonio City Council. What initially
inspired you to become involved with
public service?