We had a great visit to Austin yesterday! 25 people from our area along with countless others from Bexar County and other parts of the State testified before the Texas House Land and Resource Management Committee. There were numerous Cities and Lobbyists that are paid to be there but the residents who were there on their own dime out numbered them! There is no doubt the Committee heard the people and we have tremendous momentum to end the tyranny of forced annexation.

Our Representatives not only have a plan, they have an expectation of what happens next. We expect HB6 to be voted out of committee in the next 24 hours. From there it will go through the Calendars Committee on Friday or Sunday and be moved the House floor for full debate early next week. Our House and Senate members will coordinate activities to minimize the risk of the shenanigans we experienced last session. The key right now is time so they are moving fast to get the legislation through the process.

At this time, there is no action required by us but we stand at the ready to call, email and tweet anybody that acts as an impediment to the process.

You can watch the entire hearing at this link: http://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=40&clip_id=14405

 Another positive thing that happened during the hearing but 90 miles away was the San Antonio City Council met to discuss the Fast Track Commercial Annexation. We were successful with our petition to force a hearing in the annexation area and that was noted in the meeting. However, the best news was that the City staff is recommending against the annexation of the IH10 West Commercial corridor. Why? Well with the addition of a Fire Department Squad, the costs of that outweigh the revenue to the tune of -$72.1M over 20 years.

This was only a staff recommendation so it may still be necessary to attend the San Antonio Public Hearings next Wednesday and Thursday so stay tuned.

Here is a link to article in the San Antonio Express News as well. http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-may-scale-back-annexation-plan-11730110.php#photo-13629128

 A big thank you to everyone that came out today or previously and all those that called and sent emails. We the people are being heard and we are one step closer to the right to vote on annexation. 

 Thanks,
Mike Stewart 
President, Homeowners Against Annexation

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