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Legislative Update
By CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ, HAA Legislative Chair, with ANDY TEAS, CAE, Vice President of Public Affairs
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD Moving from pandemic to pandemonium in 2022.
AS WE MOVE
from the COVID-19 vaccine to booster shots, vaccines for kids and the development of a “Tamiflu approach” to treat COVID-19 to alleviate symptoms, the apartment industry seems to be moving from a period of endless payment plans and eviction moratoria to something resembling normal operations. Meanwhile, 2022 promises to be far from normal in many ways. 2022 Elections The first election following a decennial census is always an event. The entire Texas Senate is up for election instead of the usual half, along with the entire Texas House of Representatives and U.S. Congress. To make things more interesting, they will all be running in new districts created by the state legislature to reflect Texas’ growing and shifting population. The Houston area will see a new congressional seat – the 38th District, which will include both sides of the Katy Freeway and stretch up into Northwest Harris County. Other state house, senate and congressional seats will look vastly different than during the past decade, and many voters will find themselves being represented by new elected officials. Adding to the mix, Representative Jim Murphy, longtime business ally and Houston Apartment Association member, is retiring from the legislature next year. Greg Travis is resigning from the Houston City Council to run for the position, creating the need for a special election to fill his West Houston Council seat. Other potential candidates for the Murphy seat include attorney Mano DeAyala, former City Council member Bert Keller
Your Vote Matters www.haaonline.org
and precinct chair Shelley Barineau. An early favorite for Travis’ position on City Council appears to be Mary Nan Huffman, a former assistant district attorney who specialized in prosecuting crimes committed against children. Harris County commissioner precincts are being substantially redrawn, mostly in an attempt by Democrats to create a 4-1 Democratic majority commissioners’ court – the target being West Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey, the only practicing engineer on a panel that provides infrastructure for a county with a population larger than 26 states. Ramsey, along with Commissioner Adrian Garcia, will face reelection in 2022. Ramsey and fellow Republican Commissioner Jack Cagle have been able to use a parliamentary maneuver the past two years to prevent the large property tax increases sought by their colleagues, an option that requires two commissioners willing to break quorum. Eight of Harris County’s 16 justices of the peace positions will be up in 2022. These courts are critical to the apartment industry but receive little attention from voters and little support from traditional campaign contributors. Electing JPs who will manage dockets efficiently and follow Texas law on evictions will be the top HAA Political Action Committee priority next year.
preparing to propose an annual pool inspection fee, and property tax valuations are expected to soar as the market continues to improve.
Taxes and Fees As local governments begin their own recovery from the pandemic, many are looking for money. Houston, as detailed in previous columns, has enacted the first in a series of significant water and sewer rate increases that will raise rates sharply each April through 2026. Harris County is
If you have a regulatory problem or question, call the HAA main line at 713-595-0300 and ask for Public Affairs. If a particular code requirement or issue concerns you, let us know by emailing Andy at ateas@haaonline.org.
Evictions We never want to evict a resident, but the apartment industry doesn’t function without residents paying rent. The pandemic exposed a serious disconnect with many elected officials who don’t seem to understand that providing housing costs money. As courts begin to resume normal operations and pandemic rental assistance programs wind down, 2022 will create new challenges for the industry helping elected officials understand the need to allow owners to regain possession of units in a timely manner when rent isn’t being paid. HAAPAC For the apartment industry to face these challenges, we all need to be a part of the industry’s voice in government and politics. If you are not already a member, make 2022 the year you join the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee. For as little as $100, you can join all of us in making sure the industry’s voice is heard. Visit https://www.haaonline.org/haapac for details.
The Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee is the PAC of the Houston Apartment Association, a non-profit trade association representing the area apartment industry. Without political capital, our industry would not be as successful in representing you or your clients’ interests, and thus, your financial well-being. The HAAPAC participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. You can participate in the HAAPAC on several levels.
For more on HAAPAC, visit www.haaonline.org/haapac
December 2021
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