Your Chamber hosted J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, which oversees statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Brig. Gen. Caroline Miller, Commander, 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base-San Antonio (JBSA), Monday to celebrate the passage of HB 3399, which allows TxDOT to enter into formal agreements with 15 military installations in Texas. Starting September 1, the partnership allows installations like JBSA to use TxDOT's expertise, buying power, and resources to accomplish much needed improvements to the on-base transportation network, including maintenance, improvement, relocation or extension of existing roads, without incurring additional costs to TxDOT. Improved infrastructure will help benefit both military and civilian communities in the areas of safety, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability.
This initiative was a priority of the Chamber’s 2021 Chair of the Board Hope Andrade, and your Chamber was instrumental in its passage. On February 10, Chamber President & CEO Richard Perez met with Brig. Gen. Miller and Chairman Bugg. Together, the trio sought to improve the infrastructure of San Antonio's military installations, and during Texas' 87th Legislative Session, the Chamber, including Chamber Chair Andrade, advocated and testified in support of HB3399. Three months later, Gov. Abbott signed the bill into law, effectively establishing the partnership between the state's transportation authority and the installations in the Alamo City and across Texas.
During a press conference, Brig. Gen. Miller and Chairman Bugg reinforced the importance of the partnership and the benefits it will provide. They also recognized the efforts of our elected officials: State Senator Cesar Blanco (Senate District 29), State Representative Lina Ortega (House District 77), and State Representative Ray Lopez (House District 125) in championing this new partnership opportunity.
In a prepared statement, Representative Lopez said, “Our military is the third largest sector in Texas which contributes over $123.6 Billion to the state economy. This legislation is an important step in ensuring our military missions stay in Texas. The ability to form a support agreement will make JBSA more competitive for new missions, create new opportunity for Texas businesses, and set an example to all of how intergovernmental relations should be. Thank you to General Miller, Chairman Andrade, Chairman Bugg, and everyone who made this possible.”
The San Antonio Chamber is honored to be a devoted advocate for our military missions, their service members and families, and the many civilian employees who live and work in San Antonio and our surrounding communities. Brig. Gen. Miller recognized the Chamber's efforts by saying, "The San Antonio Chamber has shown and continues to show unwavering support for JBSA."
To view a recording of our press conference, visit our Facebook page.
