Top oil company execs oppose Texas ‘bathroom bill’
As the Texas legislature continues to grind through its one month special session, opposition to Senate Bill 3, the anti-transgender ‘bathroom bill’ continues to mount. The special session was called, to among other things, consider and pass SB3, which Gov. Greg Abbott has called on legislators to support.
The Texas Senate has already passed SB3, after a lengthy and emotional session in the second week of the special session.
Monday, “More than 50 Houston business leaders, including the heads of some of the nation's top oil companies, are opposing a Texas ‘bathroom bill’ targeting transgender people — adding to an already long list of powerful and lucrative firms opposing it,” according to the Associated Press. The Greater Houston Partnership is a organization of the city's top leaders in business and other fields.
The text of the letter says:
“Dear Governor Abbott,
“Texas has worked for decades to establish its reputation as a great place to do business. Through smart, pro-growth public policy, the state has succeeded, and our business environment is the envy of states across the country. In addition to our economic success, Texas has become well-known for its excellent quality of life and our welcoming, inclusive spirit – attributes that have helped draw talented individuals to the state from across the nation and around the globe.
“As members of Houston’s business community, we write to express our concern with the proposed ‘bathroom bill’ being considered in this special legislative session. We support diversity and inclusion, and we believe that any such bill risks harming Texas’ reputation and impacting the state’s economic growth and ability to create new jobs.
“Innovative companies are driven by their people, and winning the talent recruitment battle is key. Any bill that harms our ability to attract top talent to Houston will inhibit our growth and continued success – and ultimately the success of our great state.
“We appreciate your leadership in Texas and urge you avoid any actions, including the passage of any ‘bathroom bill,’ that would threaten our continued growth. “
The letter is signed by Jeff Shellebarger, President of Chevron North America E&P and Chair of the Greater Houston Partnership, an organization representing Houston Business Leaders.
In addition the letter was signed by John Minge, Chairman and President, BP America; Ryan Lance, Chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips; Linda DuCharme, President of ExxonMobil Global Services Company; Jeffery A. Miller, Halliburton’s President and CEO; David Leebron, President of Rice University; Brucke Culpepper, President, Shell Oil Company; and dozens more of Houston’s most influential businesses and organizations.
Dozens of other major businesses, including Apple, IBM, Facebook, the NFL and scores of others have already gone on record opposing the bill as bad for business and bad for Texas.
Copyright 2017 The Gayly – August 1, 2017 @ 12:45 p.m. CDT.