For decades, Texas’ Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program gave small businesses owned by women and people of color a chance to compete for state contracts in an economy that often overlooks them. But now, with no public hearing, no legislative vote, and no public input, the state Comptroller’s office has wiped them out of the program entirely.

Under a sudden rule change announced December 2, only service-disabled veterans will qualify under the newly renamed “VetHUB” program. Women- and minority-owned businesses have had their certifications revoked immediately and are being removed from the state’s HUB directory. These businesses were notified by email that they no longer qualify — even if they have been in the program for years.

This is more than a policy change. It is an erasure.

The Comptroller’s office claims this is about fairness and “restoring constitutional integrity,” but removing access to state contract opportunities from women and people of color, who already face systemic barriers to business growth, is not fairness. It’s exclusion, dressed up as reform.

The Legislature created the HUB program for a reason: to give historically excluded entrepreneurs a chance to succeed. That reason still exists today.

We are calling on Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock, the Texas Legislature, and Governor Greg Abbott to:

• Immediately reverse the rule change that eliminated race-, ethnicity-, and gender-based HUB certifications
• Reinstate all revoked certifications for women- and minority-owned businesses
• Open a public comment period and legislative hearing before making any further changes to HUB eligibility
• Reaffirm Texas’ commitment to equitable access to public contracts for all historically excluded groups

Texas must support veterans without pushing out everyone else. There is room for both.

Sign this petition to demand the restoration of HUB certifications for women and minority-owned businesses in Texas. Small businesses deserve a level playing field, not political erasure.

Photo: Texas Tribune