OmniBase Is Blocking the Road to Economic Opportunities for San Antonio Workers
June 6, 2024
Despite Texas reporting impressive job growth figures, reaching 34 straight months of job creation, a significant impediment persists stemming from the Failure to Appear/Failure to Pay (FTAP) Program, managed by OmniBase Services of Texas. In San Antonio and Bexar County, this program is blocking the way to economic prosperity for many workers by restricting driver’s licenses based on individuals’ inability to pay fines associated with minor offenses such as traffic violations.
San Antonio Small Businesses Faced with Labor Shortage
Small businesses form the backbone of San Antonio’s economy. However, these businesses are currently grappling with a labor shortage, a problem compounded by OmniBase’s control on the workforce. With 178,000 active OmniBase holds in San Antonio and Bexar County, businesses are missing out on essential talent, and thousands of residents are facing unneeded barriers to securing and keeping employment.
Economic Inequity caused by OmniBase Holds
The OmniBase holds disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color. A 2024 Texas Appleseed brief suggests that the 10 zip codes with the most substantial concentration of holds in San Antonio/Bexar County have an average household income of $37,599, significantly below the median household income for San Antonio ($59,593) and Bexar County ($67,275) as of 2022.
Importance of Valid Driver’s License for Employment
The importance of a valid driver’s license for employment cannot be overstated. It has proven to be a stronger predictor of employment than a high school diploma. In San Antonio, 80% of residents report driving to work, underscoring the significance of a valid driver’s license. Yet, the OmniBase Program places an unjustifiable barrier between individuals and job opportunities, leading to economic inequity.
Suggestions for an Equitable Economic Environment
For San Antonio’s vision of inclusive economic growth to flourish, there is a dire need to eliminate the OmniBase Program. It falls upon San Antonio and Bexar County to eschew the renewal of their OmniBase contracts and embrace more equitable economic opportunity strategies. Economic empowerment can be fostered by implementing alternative strategies, such as ensuring that text message reminders and court summon forms are client-friendly, allowing for community service, and providing alternative payment options.
Conclusion
The City of San Antonio and Bexar County have initiated significant workforce development and economic recovery programs in the post-pandemic era, focusing on generating opportunities for all. For these initiatives to find success, counterproductive barriers to employment must be removed. As we stand at a crossroads this fall, with the OmniBase contracts due for renewal, it is crucial that we choose the path of economic opportunity that allows residents to reclaim their licenses and chart their own paths to prosperity.
