Texas Together, Pantsuit Republic, and Mi Familia Vota held a “Texas Works Together” news conference Tuesday, August 1st, to call for repeal of Texas’ racial profiling law, SB 4, and discuss the economic costs to the state and our community. Supporting organizations included Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL--CIO, UNITE HERE Local 23, Gulf Coast Building and Construction Trades Council, FIEL, Texas Organizing Project, OCA--Greater Houston, Faith Leaders Coalition of Greater Houston, and Indivisible Houston.
During the news conference, new estimates on the economic impact of SB 4 due to the loss of immigrant workers were released, and local business leaders, city officials, and educators discussed how the law is already hurting businesses and workforce development locally and throughout the state.
The coalition of grassroots groups urged Texans to stand together against discriminatory laws and legislation by calling on national groups to support the campaign to repeal SB 4. “Texas Works Together,” an initiative of Texas Together and the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, combines the collective economic and political power of businesses and our communities to win the repeal of SB 4. Similar events are being held in cities across the state.
Economic Cost of SB 4
SB 4 will result in significant economic costs, related to jobs, earnings, taxes and GDP, if 10 percent of
undocumented immigrants leave Texas.* (The population of noncitizen Hispanics in Arizona decreased
by 10 to 15 percent after the enactment of AZ SB 1070.)
Under SB 4, Texas will lose at least $9.2 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), based on the
following:
- If 10 percent of undocumented immigrants leave the state, Texas will lose $190.7 million in
federal taxes and $223.5 million in state and local taxes. - This 10 percent includes an estimated 95,289 employed workers, whose departure will reflect
close to $2.9 billion in lost wage earnings. - The state will also lose an additional 69,744 jobs that were dependent on undocumented
immigrant consumers and supporters of industry. These indirect job losses would result in
another $2.4 billion in lost wage earnings.
*Statistics from a RITA analysis of data from the U.S. Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Institute on Taxation and
Economic Policy. / Analysis based on Sanchez 2017 examination of AZ SB 1070. / Contact rheyman@bnhr.orgfor more
information.”
Commentary from co-organizer of the event, Dr. Dona Kim Murphey & Pantsuit Republic Board Chair
Commentary from co-organizer of the event, Carlos Duarte, Texas State Director of Mi Familia Vota
Commentary from speaker at the event, Executive Director, and CEO of the U.S. Bilateral African Chamber of Commerce
Commentary from speaker at the event, Anna Núñez
