Alpine City Council seeks repeal to redirect hotel tax revenue for tourism projects

On April 7, 2025, the Texas Senate Committee on Economic Development convened to discuss significant legislative measures aimed at enhancing local tourism and addressing youth unemployment. The meeting highlighted two key bills: Senate Bill 913, which seeks to amend the use of hotel occupancy tax revenue for the City of Alpine, and Senate Bill 1143, focused on improving workforce readiness for young Texans.

Senate Bill 913, presented by Senator Blanco, proposes the repeal of a requirement that currently restricts the City of Alpine's ability to allocate hotel tax revenue. This change would align Alpine with the majority of Texas cities, allowing for greater flexibility in spending the funds on various tourism-related projects beyond advertising. The bill aims to promote local tourism more effectively by enabling the city to invest in a broader range of initiatives.

Support for the bill was voiced by Justin Bragle, general counsel for the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association, who emphasized that the legislation serves as a necessary cleanup measure to ensure Alpine can utilize hotel tax revenue similarly to other Texas cities. The committee closed public testimony on this bill, leaving it pending for further consideration.

The second major topic of discussion was Senate Bill 1143, also introduced by Senator Blanco. This bill addresses the alarming statistic that nearly 14% of young Texans aged 16 to 24—approximately 500,000 individuals—are neither in school nor employed. The bill aims to strengthen workforce readiness by establishing clear goals for youth-focused programs, enhancing coordination among governmental entities and local workforce boards, and mandating annual public reports to track progress.

Public testimony for Senate Bill 1143 included voices from various stakeholders, including Caroline Roberts, who highlighted the economic implications of youth disconnection from education and employment. She noted that young individuals who experience this disconnection earn significantly less than their peers, which can lead to increased reliance on public assistance and a greater tax burden on the community.

Hannah Gourgi from the Texas Opportunity Youth Network underscored the importance of transparency in how federal workforce development funds are utilized, advocating for best practices to be shared across the state. Courtney Chavez from the Lone Star Justice Alliance added that addressing youth disconnection is crucial for reducing crime-related risks, emphasizing the need for effective workforce programs to re-engage these young individuals.

The committee's discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need to adapt local policies to better serve communities and address pressing economic challenges. As these bills progress, their potential impact on local tourism and youth employment will be closely monitored, with stakeholders eager to see how the proposed changes will unfold in the coming legislative sessions.