The 83rd is Underway

Anyone who has ever read one of my columns knows my penchant for metaphors and analogies, and when it comes to the start of the 83rd Texas Legislative Session there is ample supply.  Liken today to a football kickoff (see our last MH Texas Quarterly), a starter pistol going off, the first pitch, or, just to fully round out the sports references , “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

For the next 140 days the legislators are in Austin setting the course for our great state for the next two years. 

Remembering back just two years ago to the 82nd Legislative Session, a more apt starting announcement of that challenging session with budget constraints, vetoed TDHCA sunset bills, and specific anti-MH community legislation filed against us could have been described as, “Welcome to the 82nd Hunger Games.”  For those not up to date on adolescent novel series about dystopian societies, I’ll simple say that last session proved to be a hard, brutal and sometimes a bloody fight.

It is a bit too early to tell exactly what waits for us this session.  Following yesterday’s announcement from the Texas Comptroller we at least know the state’s budgetary constraints this session have substantially improved from 2011.  However, our state faces many significant issues ranging from healthcare, education and physical infrastructure.

For our industry we plan to advance several bills focused on improving and promoting the interests of the manufactured and modular housing industry.  As it is with every session, a cornerstone of our focus and efforts will be protecting the interest of property owners – in particular, our community owners.

Throughout this session TMHA will be providing legislative updates on all things related to our industry.  We also will remind our members of the strength of an active and motivated grassroots effort.  There will be times during this session when we will need immediate and specific grassroots advocacy from our membership.

We are excited to once again serve our manufactured and modular industry during yet another legislative session. 

Let the games begin.