Capital Factory Founder Joshua Baer and 30-plus other Austin tech CEOs and venture capitalists on Friday posted a letter to Texas lawmakers urging them to oppose the "bathroom bill" currently being debated in the statehouse.
"Discriminatory legislation will damage the business-friendly reputation that has allowed us to build innovative technology and startup communities in all corners of the state," the letter says.
The letter is signed by 38 CEOs that include many of the most prominent names in the Austin technology and startup scene, including VCs from Silverton Partners, LiveOak Venture Partners, Next Coast Ventures, AVX Partners and True Wealth Ventures.
"Every day, we recruit the best and brightest talent from across the world to bring their ideas and innovations to Texas — but the nature of their work allows them to locate almost anywhere," the letter says. "Culture and a community’s commitment to diversity and inclusion thus become essential factors in where innovators choose to live and grow their businesses. These factors are more important to the workforce of today and tomorrow than they were of the workforce of previous generations."
The letter comes as the Texas Legislature continues its special session. The Texas Senate, dominated by Republicans, voted in favor of the "bathroom bill" in a 21-10 vote. It now moves to the House for a vote before it could move to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.
The proposed regulation would force people to use the bathrooms and locker rooms at most government and school buildings that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate or state-issued identification.
The bill is widely viewed as discriminatory toward transgender individuals, and advocates for people with disabilities have also said the proposed law would make their lives more difficult, especially in cases where a parent has to assist a child with a disability.
The letter sent by Baer and other Austin tech leaders is among several that have been submitted by business leaders across the country.
Earlier this month, the Austin Tech Alliance delivered a letter opposing the "bathroom bill" that included 400-plus digital signatures from Austin tech employees. And founders and leaders at Dell, Silicon Labs, Facebook, Apple, Google, Amazon, IBM and dozens of others have also written letters to lawmakers and the public urging them to oppose the proposed bathroom and locker room regulations.
The Texas Association of Business and law enforcement leaders from several of Texas' largest cities have also opposed it.
Similar legislation in North Carolina led to PayPal dropping its plan to add 400 jobs and build a new facility. It also led to the cancellation of major conventions, concerts and sporting events. The Associated Press estimated North Carolina's law will cost the state at least $3.7 billion over 12 years because of lost business and events.
(Top image via Flickr by Ed Schipul. CC by 2.0)
