Council Steps Back Amid Heated Debate
Corpus Christi Council backs away from cutting funding to the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, despite weeks of heated debate over the chamber’s push for a desalination project.
At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Corpus Christi Council backs away from a proposal to withdraw nearly all financial and in-kind support for the chamber. The measure would have barred taxpayer funds from covering sponsorships, event tickets, staff time, and subsidies for chamber facility use. Instead of moving forward, council members sharply criticized the chamber and its CEO, Al Arreola Jr., over a text-message campaign that urged support for the controversial Inner Harbor desalination plant.
The Text Campaign Sparks Backlash
The tension stemmed from texts sent by the chamber and “My Town, Our Future,” a pro-growth initiative, to residents in Districts 3 and 4. The messages encouraged voters to call Councilmembers Kaylynn Paxson and Eric Cantu—both first-time officeholders—and push for approval of the plant’s next design phase.
Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn said the targeted nature of the campaign “bullied” the two newcomers.
“There’s a right way to do things and a wrong way,” Vaughn said. “Your name is United Chamber of Commerce. There was nothing united about it.”
Paxson echoed the sentiment, expressing disappointment that the chamber had created division rather than collaboration. “We should be working together on things,” she said.
Chamber Defends Its Actions
Arreola defended the texts as issue advocacy, not lobbying, noting that funding came from the My Town, Our Future account. He stated that nonprofits may engage in advocacy efforts as long as the campaigns do not connect to elections or ballot measures.
“This doesn’t qualify as an election,” Arreola said. “This is a current issue before the council, and we still can advocate.”
Still, he acknowledged the growing polarization surrounding desalination. “This has gotten very divisive, very political on all sides,” he said. “And for our part, we do apologize.”
Council Members Divided
While some members blasted the chamber’s tactics, others defended its right to advocate.
Councilman Roland Barrera praised the group’s broader efforts, citing years of work on windstorm insurance and military priorities. “Every organization should be able to encourage members and the public to reach out to council members,” Barrera said.
Councilman Mark Scott agreed with advocacy in principle but criticized targeting. “Advocate to all of us, not just a few,” he said.
Cantu, one of the officials directly named, dismissed the campaign’s effectiveness. “In reality, that text message probably got two phone calls,” he said. “I think it was a waste of money for you guys.”
Spotlight on My Town, Our Future
The chamber-backed coalition “My Town, Our Future” describes itself as a pro-growth effort designed to support economic prosperity in the Coastal Bend. The initiative highlights manufacturing investment, workforce development, and long-term water solutions.
Arreola noted that outbound texts are a “common tactic” for advocacy organizations and emphasized that the chamber does not keep recipient data.
Leaders still have not clarified the number of texts sent or the campaign’s cost.
Looking Ahead: Collaboration or Conflict?
Despite the friction, the council’s decision not to cut ties leaves room for continued collaboration. In an email following the meeting, Arreola expressed gratitude for the council’s restraint and pledged to move forward constructively.
“The Chamber’s mission is to advocate for our members’ interests,” he wrote. “As we face this water crisis, we aim to be collaborative and good-faith partners in pursuing effective water solutions.”
Still, the debate underscores the broader divide over desalination in Corpus Christi. With water security at the forefront of the city’s future, both city officials and the chamber will need to navigate advocacy carefully, balancing influence with trust.