A stunning new report from Texas economist Ray Perryman says the San Antonio economy would lose jobs in every sector, from retail to health care to agriculture, with no economic gains, if any of the proposed 'bathroom bill's is approved by the Legislature, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"The number of job losses in San Antonio, 4700, in the state of Texas, 129,000," said Steve Atkins, who heads the San Antonio Tourism Council. "That effects a lot of families."
Perryman says, especially in this world of culture wars, social media, and an corporate effort to appeal to Millennials, the location of conventions and business meetings is m ore critical than ever, and Meeting Professionals International says 23% of meeting planners say they have already avoided locations where laws have been approved which are seen as discriminatory to LGBT individuals, and fully 41% say they would never stage a meeting in a state which has policies prohibiting 'universal bathroom usage.'
He points out that states like Indiana and North Carolina have already been forced to walk back 'bathroom bills' similar to the ones being considered in Texas, after losing major sporting events, corporate relocations, and conventions.
Perryman estimates that approval of a 'bathroom bill' would have a massive economic impact on San Antonio, which is the largest tourism center in the state, and home to Texas' two largest tourist attractions, the Alamo and the Riverwalk.
He predicts the loss of 4647 percent jobs immediately, with that rowing to 7800 job losses in the long term.
In addition, San Antonio could see a significant cut in the $195 million a year travel and tourism contributes to the City of San Antonio alone, and the $375 million the industry contributes annually to all local governments, money that would have to be made up through increases in local property and sales taxes.
Loss of next year's NCAA Final Four alone would mean the loss of $351 million in revenue to local businesses, and $9.7 million lost in city taxes.
One single convention lost costs the city $1.4 million, and Visit San Antonio President Casandra Matej said 11 major conventions have already indicated they are ready to relocate from San Antonio if any version of a 'bathroom bill' is approved.
"And that doesn't include the conventions which aren't even considering San Antonio simply because the bills are being debated, that we don't even know about," she said.
And Perryman stresses this isn't just waitresses and hotel clerks that would be affected. He predicts job and economic losses locally in manufacturing, health services, construction, even in the agriculture and oil industries.
He predicts no sector would gain from a 'bathroom bill.
'"We can't see why the San Antonio area and the state of Texas would want any of that to occur whatsoever," Atkins said.
The issue, experts say, is that companies and industries see 'bathroom bills' and respect for transgender rights, as a 'symbol' of how a community or a state feels about inclusivity in general. And today, support for diversity is key, especially in attracting Millennial customers for whom that support is critical. So with a company of an industry liable to be pounded on social media for holding a convention or meeting in a state that is seen as 'not inclusive,' especially when there are several other states ready and willing to host those conventions, can lead to economic disaster.
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