Josue Lopez, a colonia resident in the Rio Grande Valley and a representative of the organizing group Land Use Colonia Housing Action (LUCHA), testified before the Texas House Committee on Business and Industry on Tuesday. LUCHA consists of volunteer advocates from our partner organizations in the Valley, La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) and A Resource in Serving Equality (ARISE).
Mr. Lopez traveled to Austin to speak in favor of HB 1936, a proposal to give more time for property owners to notify their bank that they intend to enter into a property tax loan. He has personal experience with a high interest loan signed quickly and without consultation, which he detailed in an interview posted on our site.
“I can tell you from experience that a second opinion and more accessible loan options would have helped in my situation and steered me from a product that is deceptive and predatory,” Mr. Lopez told the committee members.
HB 1936 was left pending in committee, and will be voted on at an upcoming meeting. You can track its progress through the legislature here.