| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the establishment by the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs of colonia self-help centers in certain
counties and to the representation of those counties on the Colonia
Resident Advisory Committee.
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 2893 would establish a Colonia self help center in Nueces county.
The statutory purpose of colonia self help centers is to "assist individuals and families of low income and very low income to finance, refinance, construct, improve, or maintain a safe, suitable home in the colonias' designated service area or in another area the department has determined is suitable."
Colonia self help centers are operated by local nonprofit organizations or local community action agencies contracted by the state.
Texas Action is opposed to HB 2893 on the principle of limited government. Expanding public assistance programs is inconsistent with limited government and is outside of the core function of state government. Furthermore, the nonprofits and action agencies that run these self help centers can and should raise private funds for the endeavor.