PUBLIC POLICY DAY

On March 15, 2023, the Houston, Dallas, and Southwest Minority Supplier Development Councils came together with community partner organizations like the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, for the Minority Business Enterprise Public Policy Day at the Texas State Capitol. Leaders of these organizations met with legislators to discuss their legislative priorities, which include economic development impact, DBE certification, standardization of DBE metrics and reporting, energy transition, education and workforce development, and state and local government.

The MBE community has been a vital contributor to the Texas economy for 50 years. Their businesses have created job opportunities and have supported economic growth across the state. MBEs support policies, programs, and investments that encourage equity of opportunity, create accountability for diverse business inclusion, and goal reporting transparency. Through the adoption of inclusive economic development policies, they stimulate the growth of small businesses across the state.

One of the priorities discussed on the policy day was DBE certification. Minority businesses support the streamlining of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) DBE certification process. This will create a more efficient manner to achieve this designation and increase the ability of minority-owned businesses to compete for business opportunities created because of the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

MBEs also support the adoption of standardized metrics to track DBE participation across the state, counties, and city municipalities. This will create transparency and uniformity in reporting contract awards, ensuring that all businesses in Texas benefit from this once-in-a-generation investment to improve transportation, infrastructure, and broadband needs. (continued on next page)