TAMACC E-News: Thursday, May 1, 2025 | | | TAMACC Welcomes Bastrop County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to Statewide Network
BASTROP, TX — The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) has proudly welcomed the Bastrop County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (BCHCC) as the newest member of its expanding statewide network. The launch of BCHCC comes at a pivotal moment for Bastrop County, where the Hispanic community now represents more than 40% of the population.
The BCHCC officially opened its doors with an inaugural networking event on Sunday, April 26, 2025. The room was filled with business owners, elected officials, and community supporters. TAMACC leadership attended the celebration, supporting the new chamber and welcoming them as TAMACC members.
In a commemorative group photo from the event, pictured from left to right, are BCHCC Secretary Noemi Guerra, BCHCC Vice President Dalila Mancha, BCHCC President Carlos Liriano, and TAMACC President and CEO Pauline E. Anton.
To help ensure the new chamber's success, TAMACC will return to Bastrop in May to provide two days of specialized training. The sessions—Hispanic Chambers 101 and Board of Directors Training—are designed to equip the BCHCC leadership with the tools, knowledge, and best practices necessary to run an effective and sustainable chamber.
The addition of BCHCC highlights TAMACC’s ongoing commitment to empowering Hispanic business communities across Texas by fostering leadership, economic growth, and community engagement. | | | Texas Dream Act Survives Another Day: No Vote Taken on HB 232 After Hours of Testimony
After nearly four hours of impassioned testimony stretching late into the night and early this morning, the Texas House Higher Education Committee chose not to vote on House Bill 232, a proposal that would repeal the Texas Dream Act, which currently allows eligible undocumented students, commonly known as Dreamers, to pay in-state tuition at Texas colleges and universities.
The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), alongside several Hispanic chambers and advocacy groups, stood firm in their opposition to the bill. They emphasized the critical importance of maintaining in-state tuition access for Dreamers and DACA recipients who meet established residency and academic criteria. Without this protection, students would be forced to pay out-of-state tuition, nearly three times higher, placing higher education out of reach for many.
Also present to testify in opposition were a broad coalition of business and civic organizations, including the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Texas Association of Business, Texas Business Leadership Council, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, Dallas College, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, theDream.us, North Texas Commission, and the Texas Restaurant Association, along with numerous individual advocates.
This marks the second significant show of support for the Texas Dream Act in just over a week. Last week, TAMACC and many of the same organizations gathered before the Texas Senate Education Committee to oppose Senate Bill 1798, which also sought to dismantle the Dream Act. Like HB 232, SB 1798 has not advanced to a vote.
What Is the Texas Dream Act?
Enacted in 2001 with bipartisan support and signed by then-Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Dream Act has allowed thousands of immigrant students to pursue higher education at an affordable rate. The policy has been maintained under successive administrations, including Governor Greg Abbott.
The economic and social impacts of the Dream Act are substantial: - In 2021 alone, Dreamers contributed $81.6 million in tuition to Texas colleges.
- They represent 9% of the Texas workforce and contributed $5.4 billion in taxes last year.
- Research shows repealing the act would result in an annual loss of over $461 million in economic activity, including $244.4 million in wages and $216.9 million in spending power.
Supporters of the Texas Dream Act argue that the law is not just a matter of fairness and opportunity; it is an economic imperative. Dreamers are deeply integrated into Texas communities and play a vital role in sustaining the state’s prosperity.
While the future of HB 232 and SB 1798 remains uncertain, for now, the Texas Dream Act stands in large part thanks to the unified voices of business leaders, community advocates, and education champions determined to protect access and opportunity for all Texas students. | | | TAMACC Legislative Update: April Advocacy in Action at the Capitol
April has been an active and productive month for TAMACC at the Texas Capitol. As part of our ongoing advocacy for small and minority-owned businesses, TAMACC took an active role in supporting several key bills and provided testimony in legislative hearings. Below are priority bills we championed this month:
HB 4083 / SB 2907 – SUPPORT This bill proposes to exempt perishable items, such as food and medication, from the business personal property tax. By removing this tax, the legislation would help reduce the cost of essential goods, increase access for Texas families, and provide relief to local retailers and pharmacies. TAMACC supports this effort to make everyday necessities more affordable for our communities.
HB 1873 / SB 831 – SUPPORT TAMACC strongly supports this bill, which addresses the outdated nature of Texas’s sales tax reimbursement laws. These laws were established in a cash-based economy, yet today credit card payments dominate retail transactions. For many small businesses, payment processing fees now rank as the second-highest operating expense, only behind labor.
This bill would allow retailers to retain 2.5% of the sales tax collected on credit card and similar electronic transactions, providing fair reimbursement for the real costs of tax collection. With processing fees having ballooned from $20 billion in 2001 to $138 billion in 2021, it’s time for Texas to modernize and support its retail sector with policies that reflect today’s economic realities.
HB 3772 / SB 1698 – SUPPORT Industry evolves over time, and the tobacco category is no exception. While youth numbers are trending in the right direction across the board, the recent evolution of e-vapor products requires state action to assist businesses in continuing these trends. These bills provide a mechanism that requires manufacturers to register e-vapor products with the state, certifying that they comply with the law. This bill will also allow the Comptroller to create a list for both enforcement and to assist responsible retailers and wholesalers to better understand which products are federally compliant and which ones are not.
HB 232 / SB 1798 – OPPOSE These bills would eliminate in-state tuition for many Texas immigrant high school graduates, forcing them to pay out-of-state rates, nearly three times higher. Under the current Texas Dream Act, students who graduate from a Texas high school and have lived in the U.S. for at least three years can qualify for in-state tuition by signing an affidavit.
Repealing this policy would have serious economic consequences for Texas. Studies estimate an annual loss of $461 million in economic activity, including $244.4 million in lost wages and $216.9 million in reduced spending power. Such a move would also worsen existing workforce shortages, especially for Hispanic-owned businesses, by creating additional barriers for over 220,000 DACA-eligible Dreamers who live in Texas. | | | Bid Opportunity - Multiple Industries Requested
PROJECT: CapEx Pump Station Facility, Austin, TX / Location: Travis County Bid Date: 05/06/2025 at 12:00 PM
The work of this project includes the construction of the CapEx Pump Station Facility, including: - Yard Piping, Paving, Grading, Soil Nail Wall, Perimeter Fence, and other Civil Work.
- Wet Well Structure including Six Mechanically Cleaned Trash Rakes, Three Access Hatches, and a 25-ton gantry crane on rails.
- Dry Well Area Including Four Concrete Volute Pumps, Two Dewatering Pumps, Four Submersible Pumps, and Various Appurtenances,
- Construction of 10' X 10' RBC and Outfall Structure at the Colorado River,
- Approx. 17,600 Sq Ft Building consisting of a Pump Room, VFD/Electrical Room, Control Room, IT Room, Network Room, Breakroom, Restrooms, and Storage Room.
- Building Accessories Include Two Stairwells, Two Elevators (To Subgrade Pump Station Structure), Two Overhead Rolling Doors (at Drive Through Lane), and A 40-Ton Overhead Traveling Bridge Crane.
- Electrical Room housing Electrical Switchgear, Motor Control Centers (MCCS), and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDS).
- HVAC and Plumbing.
Searching for the following Trades: Surveying, Testing, Fencing, Erosion Control, Rebar Tying, Paving, Landscaping, Masonry, Roofing, Flooring, Interior finish out, Paintings/Coatings, Elevator, Fire Suppression, Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring, Secant Pile Wall, Overhead doors, Flooring, Acoustical Panel Ceiling, Gypsum Board, Insulation, Site Utilities, Trucking/Hauling, Structural Concrete Work, and Excavation.
Please contact: Janie Rodriguez at (817) 293-4263 or email: janie@southlandholdings.com, for detailed information on the scopes of work being subcontracted and the relevant terms and conditions of the contract. We can provide access to bid documents at no cost. We are willing to assist minority subcontractors/suppliers in obtaining bonds, lines of credit, and/or insurance. Large work items can be broken down into smaller categories, where requested. Quotes are due by: 5/5/2025 to bidding@southlandholdings.com | | | Cinco De Mayo 2025 Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Join the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Cinco de Mayo 2025, our annual celebration in historic downtown Lockhart.
Head to the BBQ Capital of Texas for a Tejano Music festival celebrating the Hispanic culture! This family-friendly event is free to the public! ¡Puro Gratis! Come for the BBQ, stay for the culture!
Friday, May 2: Your favorite Texas Country Music band, Broken Arrow, followed by the Conjunto Cats.
Saturday, May 3: Tejano Music Award winner and Grammy nominee, “La Voz de Oro”, David Marez, and the final performer of this great event, Tejano Music Award winner and 2X Latin Grammy nominee, Lucky Joe!
*Family*Food*Fiesta*
No Ice Chests/Outside Beverages Permitted | | | Cinco De Mayo Fajita Festival Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Get ready for a sizzling celebration at the 2025 Cinco de Mayo Fajita Festival, hosted by the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce!
The Los Pescadores del Rio Conchos, a talented band that brings all the norteño flavor we love, will be performing.
Join us for a night full of great music, atmosphere, pure dancing, and all-you-can-eat fajitas! Lots of fun for the entire family.
Date: Saturday, May 3rd @ 5:00 PM Location: Hodgetown Stadium
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at 806-379-8800.
*Family*Food*Fiesta*
Please note that HODGETOWN has a clear bag policy and is a cashless facility for purchasing beer from concession stands. | | | | |
