Dear Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Speaker Straus: As the County Judges of four of the largest counties in Texas, we are committed to ensuring that all Texas residents and guests are treated with fairness and respect, and the privacy and safety of all are protected. That’s why we are strongly opposed to Senate Bill 6, an unnecessary, discriminatory and economically damaging piece of legislation. SB 6 threatens the Texas economy. Texas could lose billions of dollars in GDP, a critical loss of revenue in a tight budget period that would profoundly affect the state’s ability to fund our important priorities, especially education, transportation and other essential services. In North Carolina, HB2—the “twin bill” to SB 6—will cost the state more than $3.76 billion in lost business over 12 years based on an analysis of data by the Associated Press. The North Carolina economy is less than one-third the size of the Texas economy. Even before the bill has been considered by the Texas House, the likely direct spending losses reported by several convention & visitors bureaus total $407 million. To put the current figures into context, $407 million in direct travel & tourism spending drives close to $23 million in state tax revenues, revenues that could fund annual salaries for more than 500 Child Protective Services investigative caseworkers, making significant progress towards meeting an emergency need for our state. These losses would result from legislation that Texas law enforcement officials consistently state will not improve safety in Texas:     “Texas has been governing illegal bathroom behavior for a while now. I’m not sure what the problem is that we’re trying to address.” -- Charley Wilkinson, Executive Director for Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. “SAPD has not received any criminal complaints involving sexual assaults in public restrooms.” -- San Antonio Police Chief McManus “We haven’t seen these types of incidents here. Not an issue.” -- El Paso PD Sergeant Enrique Carillo “I have never heard of any cases in which a suspect entered a public restroom while being dressed as a woman, or claiming to be transgender, and sexually assaulted a female victim, nor have I heard of a male and assaulting another male victim in this manner.” -- Austin PD Detective Mike Crumrine In addition, the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault has clearly stated that “such legislation does not protect women and children, but instead contradicts decades of research.” And the American Federation of Teachers has said that “this bill isn’t about providing safety or privacy.” Some of the fastest-growing cities in the nation are right here in Texas. It’s no longer just about the cores of Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Places like Grand Prarie, Katy, Pflugerville, and Alamo Heights, and Hurst/Bedford are home to burgeoning economies that are attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs and families. We cannot jeopardize that growth with irresponsible, unnecessary legislation like SB 6. Please continue to focus on the core priorities of our state and oppose costly, discriminatory distractions like SB 6. Sincerely, Nelson Wolff Bexar County Judge Veronica Escobar El Paso County Judge Clay Jenkins Dallas County Judge Sarah Eckhardt Travis County Judge