*AP image above

Last week, the Texas House of Representatives Committee on State Affairs heard witness testimony on HB 2899, a proposed alternative to SB 6, the bathroom bill. The Austin Chamber joined Chris Wallace, president of the Texas Association of Business, and the Metro 8 Chambers of Commerce in opposition of the bill.

The fact remains that both bills, no matter how you sugar coat it, discriminate under the guise of protection of people in bathrooms. Authored by Representative Simmons (R-Carrollton), HB 2899 is supposed to be the “compromise” version of the bathroom bill. SB 6, authored by Senator Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would override nondiscrimination ordinances and force transgender and nonconforming citizens to public facility restrooms or dressing rooms based on the gender listed on their birth certificate. HB 2899 will remove all existing city nondiscrimination ordinances and would block any entity other than the state from putting bathroom protections in place. This means that lawmakers could not be stopped from banning access to transgender individuals.

Over and over, various states that have implemented this type of legislation, find that it causes great harm to not only the city’s economy but the community as well. North Carolina is a prime example. That state lost billions of dollars, thousands of jobs, and catapulted into political disarray after lawmakers passed HB 2 (similar to SB 6 and HB 2899 in Texas). Just this year, North Carolina passed a bill to repeal the state’s controversial bathroom law after they saw the dangerous effect it left on their economy. Will they recover? Who knows, but why force Texas to go down a path that has already been traveled.

Economic studies estimate that this kind of discriminatory legislation will cost Texas $5.6 billion in lost revenue by 2026. Rural Texas is expected to lose between $26 and $52 million annually. The simple truth is Texas already has laws against assault that protect the privacy and safety of women and children across the state. SB 6 and HB 2899 are not adding more protection; they are unjustly harming people based on a prejudice situated on traditionalism.

The economy is only as strong as we are together. Texas is open for business to everyone.

Our lawmakers should remember this and put the economy first when considering legislation instead of bias. The bill was left pending in the committee.