DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alejandra Lopez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on a proposed 1/8 cent sales tax ballot initiative to provide for workforce development and higher education under Chapter 379A of the Texas Local Government Code.
SUMMARY:
This item provides an additional briefing on a proposed 1/8 cent sales tax ballot initiative to provide for workforce development and higher education under Chapter 379A of the Texas Local Government Code. The City Council was originally brief on this item on August 5, 2020. This initiative would build on the COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Plan workforce development pillar that served as the immediate response to the assist San Antonio residents unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on this short-term intervention, the ballot initiative will continue the path to a strong, resilient economic recovery by investing in a combination of training and education programs that leads to a robust talent pipeline for high demand and high wage careers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus San Antonio experienced a relatively low unemployment rate, yet poverty rates in our community were among the highest in the country. Low post secondary educational attainment rates in San Antonio have resulted in a shortage of skilled workers and an abundance of lower wage, low skill jobs. The unprecedented economic impacts of COVID-19 on the San Antonio economy have resulted in an estimated 154,000 displaced workers, further compounding the various financial burdens faced by residents. Substantial, continued investment in workforce development and degree completion among our residents is critical to San Antonio's emergence from this public health and economic crisis as stronger and more resilient.
In July 2020, Mayor Nirenberg appointed a Workforce and Education Leadership Taskforce to reassess community workforce development p...
Click here for full text