The Greater Austin Chamber Board of Directors approved support for the proposed Travis County $185 million bond package up for a public vote in November 2017. The action was taken at the Chamber’s regularly scheduled board meeting on September 28.

"We found the Travis County bond to be common-sense, balanced and fiscally responsible,” said Ellen Wood, CEO of vcfo and 2017 Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Board. “Travis County, like any growing community, has a lot of unmet needs. While the business community is deeply concerned about affordability, we have to balance that with prudent investments to address our region’s number one public priority, transportation. Transportation affects everyone’s quality of life. We are pleased to see that the county, using conservative estimates, projects this bond package can be repaid without a tax rate increase. We can’t confuse a lower tax rate with paying less tax. As property values increase, taxes do too, but the county believes they can do these projects without raising the tax rate.”

As part of the vetting process, the Chamber’s Local Advocacy Council, comprised of business leaders from Austin's diverse companies and led by Mason Ayer, Kerbey Lane Café CEO, reviewed the proposed Travis County bond projects. The council determined that the focus on safer roads, improved drainage, restored and expanded parks would make Travis County a safer place to commute and live.

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About the Greater Austin Chamber

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce focuses on how the Austin Region works. We serve as the voice of business for 2,800 organizations representing a combined workforce of about 330,000 employees throughout Central Texas. Our mission is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous economy and effective advocacy for members. For more information, please visit AustinChamber.com.

Media Inquiries:

Luke Sheffield, Public Relations Manager
Austin Chamber of Commerce
512.322.5637
lsheffield@austinchamber.com