Texas Builder, May/June 2016

13 / 32

13
Speaking Out
is home to one of the most vibrant economies
in the nation; however, it also ranks among
the highest in veteran homelessness. SB 1580
calls for a study to be completed by the end of
the year that examines veteran homelessness
throughout the state.This would begin a process
for us to address the problem and visualize
a more accurate depiction of the challenges
that homeless veterans face throughout Texas.
I am hopeful that this study, along with other
services geared toward our dedicated men and
women in uniform, will lead to a viable solution
that accurately reflects how committed we are to
providing for our veterans.
After serving two terms as the City
Controller, and prior to being elected to the
Texas Senate, you were elected to the Harris
County Commissioner’s Court. In that role,
you ensured the County was receptive to
new jobs and economic development. How
can government support and strengthen
local businesses and the state’s overall
economic prosperity? What is your opinion
of the working relationship our industry has
with city and county government?
To prosper as a society, we must embrace the
relationship between our local businesses
and government. Knowing the needs
of business is integral to strengthening
economic development for everyone. I am
proud of the partnerships that I have created
over the years to allow our local businesses
to truly support the education and economic
development within our community. Our
local and state government must understand
and embrace the role that small businesses
play in growing our workforce and economy.
It takes large investments in education and
financial literacy to broaden the gateway of
opportunity for all Texans, and businesses
play a big part in those investments.
As earlier mentioned, many skilled
construction workers left the home
building industry to work in the oil
industry during the Eagle Ford Shale
boom in 2009. As a member of the
Eagle Ford Shale Caucus, what are
some challenges and solutions regarding
continued economic prosperity given the
recent downturn in the oil industry?
Unfortunately, many analysts are predicting
that things will only get worse for the oil
industry before they get better, so we need to
ensure that these workers are able to transition
back into other industries or take advantage of
educational opportunities. The Legislature will
also have some tough choices to make in our
next budget due to the lost oil and gas revenue.
Thankfully, the Texas economy is still growing
due to our diversity.Themost recent data shows
that Texas added over 31,000 jobs in January;
the 10th consecutive month of job growth in
Texas. We should increase our investments in
areas such as education and infrastructure so
that we can improve our workforce and attract
more businesses to Texas.
Given your experience at the city level
and your seat on the Senate Committee
on Intergovernmental Relations, you are
familiar with the struggle between the
balance of private property rights and
municipal growth and expansion. How
can government provide reasonable and
common sense oversight over the building
process, without imposing detrimental
obstacles for housing opportunity and
growth in the residential construction and
development industry?
Government must strike a balance between
protecting consumers and allowing the free
market to regulate industry. For example, we
must ensure there are not outdated regulatory
barriers that prevent the construction or
rehabilitation of affordable housing by
unnecessarily driving up costs. We have to
make sure that there is enough oversight
to provide safe housing for poor and
middle-class Texans, while simultaneously
eliminating any overbearing policies that
artificially inflate prices and hurt affordability.
Is there anything else you would like to
share with the readers of Texas Builder?
I want to thank the Texas Association of
Builders for allowing me the opportunity
to share my background and priorities for
serving the great residents of Senate District
6 and Texans across the state. I would like
to remind everyone how important it is
to get involved in your community. Civic
engagement is essential to ensuring that your
community is on the right path to provide
for present and future generations. Making
your voice heard is imperative to government
knowing which issues your community cares
most about. Exercising our right to vote is
how we give voice to our values and beliefs.
We must share this sentiment with our youth
and remind them that our voice does mean
something. I encourage everyone to stay
civically engaged to ensure the future success
of our families and communities.
Sylvia R. Garcia
Texas State Senator
Senator Sylvia R. Garcia is a native of Palito
Blanco, Texas. She earned a scholarship
to Texas Woman's University, where she
graduated with a degree in social work.
Senator Garcia then received her Doctor
of Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall
School of Law at Texas Southern University.
As a social worker early in her professional
career, Senator Garcia saw firsthand the
importance of advocating for her community.
Senator Garcia continued her public service
career by serving as Director and Presiding
Judge of the Houston Municipal System, City
Controller of Houston, and Commissioner
on the Harris County Commissioner's Court.
The first Hispanic and first woman to be
elected in her own right to the office, she
continued her advocacy for working families
and made certain Harris County took care of
its most defenseless, all while making certain
Harris County led the way for new jobs and
economic development.
Senator Garcia was sworn in to the
Texas State Senate on March 11, 2013,
representing Senate District 6. During the
84th Legislative Session, Senator Garcia
served on the Education, Intergovernmental
Relations, Transportation and Veterans
Affairs & Military Installations committees.
BIOGRAPHY