At GAHCC, we believe value to our members takes many forms.  Not everyone can participate in all the various events and activities we put on the schedule.  Whether you are a new member and avid networker or someone who is a member because you believe in our mission and have supported us over the years, you might like to know the GAHCC speaks on your behalf from time to time on important issues impacting your business.

One of the deliverables to our members and our Central Texas community is our voice on issues related to our core mission:  Building Members Wealth.  In the array of important issues we are presented with, our Advocacy Committee advises our board and executive committee when a formal position is called for or requested. 

There are times when it is appropriate for us to visit personally with area leaders – including our elected officials at the local, county and state level and share our views on topics critical to our economic well being.  At times, a public position is required that will help demonstrate our organizational values and shape public policy in the process.

If you would like to be informed on positions we take or perhaps how you can take action from time to time (we’ll provide you with background and talking points) – please send us your contact information by clicking here and you’ll get advocacy updates.  We promise to make the updates very infrequent and to the point.

We fully recognize no one organization can speak for the Hispanic community in Austin/Central Texas.  We are a very diverse group.  This is simply our way to raise one significant voice at moments that are appropriate for the second largest chamber of commerce in the most dynamic region of the country.  If you have ideas or suggestions for us, please relay them to Erika Dresser who supports the Advocacy efforts at edresser(at)gahcc.org.

The GAHCC supports the Citizen’s Bond Advisory Committee in asking Austin City Council to move forward with the plan to issue $85Million in bonds to cover a variety of transportation and mobility projects.

We suggested some changes to the project list and emphasized improvements to already congested areas of Austin.  Although we took issue with some parts of the plan, we generally supported the overall intent of the package of projects.  We believe as a business organization, our primary focus was on congestion relief that is hampering our economic growth potential and we also stood in support of multi-modal transportation projects, especially those that are ‘shovel ready’ and can help more of our Central Texas businesses keep their employees on the job.

Austin City Council will meet on July 29th in order to finalize this list.

Click here to view letter of support on the bond.
More information about the bond package can be found at http://www.austinstrategicmobility.com/

Senators: John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison

Members of Congress

Letter to Senator Hutchison

Immigration Reform Position

Texas Sunset Advisory Commission