Members of the Chamber staff attended the sixth annual Texas Tribune Festival, which took place last weekend on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The Texas Tribune Festival is an innovative and engaging three-day event for people who are passionate about the issues that affect all Texans. Each year, the Festival brings together some of the biggest names in politics to explore the state’s — and nation’s — most pressing issues.
This year's event featured more than 60 sessions and 250 speakers in riveting conversation about race and law enforcement, climate change, the 2016 presidential election and much more.
Local, state, and federal leaders were well represented on panels on topics ranging from the budget to veterans’ issues to the Alamo during the three-day gathering. Many of the panels highlighted the sharp divide between members of the legislature on social issues as well as issues like education, transportation, and health care.
Saturday morning started with a panel called The Remaking of the Alamo with Land Commissioner George P. Bush, Senator Jose Menendez, and rock star Phil Collins. Video of this session can be found here:https://www.texastribune.org/livestream/texas-tribune-festival-2016/
Representative Justin Rodriguez joined other members of the House Appropriations committee for a panel on the state budget. In addition, Representative Diego Bernal joined former San Antonio Assistant Chief of Police Jose L. Bañales on a panel discussing concealed carry on university campuses.
Representative Trey Martinez Fischer spoke on a panel entitled The Republic of Taxes and discussed property tax reform and appraisal values. Representative Ina Minjarez participated in a panel called Texas vs. the Fedswith several other members of the legislature and discussed issues ranging from voting rights to ridesharing to special education.
State Senators Carlos Uresti and Donna Campbell joined members of the Texas House to talk about veterans’ issues.
Our national government was also a well-covered topic at the Tribune Festival. Congressman Joaquin Castro joined Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Bill Flores on a panel named, What's the Matter with Congress. Congressman Will Hurd joined former US Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Admiral Bob Inman to discuss the 45th president's national security agenda.
San Antonio's Ivy Taylor joined the Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and former Florida Congressman Allen West for a session on the State of Black America.
The festival drew its largest crowd ever and was kicked off on Friday with an opening night celebration sponsored by Toyota. Next year's festival dates will be announced in early spring, and we look forward to even more involvement from the leaders of San Antonio.
