From
Andrew Fortune, Manager of Legislative Affairs
Title
Resolution establishing the City's Legislative Agenda and Priorities for the 87th Legislature
Presenter
Andrew Fortune, Manager of Legislative Affairs
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
Resolution detailing the City of Grand Prairie's Legislative Agenda and Priorities and authorization of staff to advocate on behalf of the City Council.
Financial Consideration
None
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND PRIORITIES FOR THE 87TH SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Whereas, beginning November 9, 2020, state legislators may begin filing legislation that could impact City operations, finances and our citizens, and
Whereas, beginning January 12, 2021, the legislature will convene for a 140-day session to consider legislation; and
Whereas, many significant decisions affecting Texas cities are made by the Texas Legislature; and
Whereas, during the 2019 session, more than 2,000 bills would have affected Texas cities in some substantial way; and
Whereas, it is a challenge for the City, given its limited resources, to effectively monitor legislation drafted and debated in Austin and to prevent encroachments on local authority; and
Whereas, it is important to establish priorities, positions and to communicate them to the legislature.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
Section 1. That the City seeks to preserve its current authority to govern the City and its citizens in accordance with the City's strategic goals and interests.
I. GENERAL LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS:
a) The City supports legislation that positively impacts:
i) the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens;
ii) home-rule municipal authority or local control;
iii) the City’s comprehensive plan or economic development strategic plan; or
iv) municipal services, finances or the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).
b) The City opposes legislation that negatively impacts:
i) the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens;
ii) home rule municipal authority or local control;
iii) the City’s comprehensive plan or economic development strategic plan;
iv) municipal services, finances or the TMRS; or the authority to advocate for itself or its citizens
II. SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS:
a) The City supports legislation that:
i) creates meaningful property tax relief,
ii) provides more state funding for public education,
iii) simplifies the process by which the property tax rate is adopted or makes the process more transparent,
iv) creates additional funding to expand community policing practices and training, or
v) supports the reallocation of police resources toward community and social services focusing on quality of life.
b) The City supports legislation that helps create, advance or otherwise finance projects related to:
i) transportation,
ii) public safety and emergency medical services,
iii) water and wastewater,
iv) economic development, or
v) parks, recreation, parks, and trails.
c) The City opposes legislation that:
i) reduces the property or sales tax base,
ii) impairs the City’s ability to issue debt,
iii) creates unfunded mandates,
iv) requires the City to generate revenues for the State,
v) causes property to be appraised for less than market value or unfairly shifts the tax burden, or
vi) requires a mandatory election to ratify the tax rate.
d) The City opposes legislation that erodes:
i) the management of the public right-of-way,
ii) fair market compensation for the use of the public’s rights-of-way,
iii) franchise agreements, or
iv) jurisdiction in utility rate cases.
e) The City will monitor legislation that impacts:
i) COVID-related economic assistance and economic recovery,
ii) Public safety funding and tactics,
iii) Emergency authorization authority,
iv) Redistricting House, Senate or Congressional districts,
v) Special purpose districts (such as MMDs or MUDs),
vi) Voter-approved municipal sales tax uses utilized by the City:
(1) Crime Control and Prevention District,
(2) Sales Tax for Economic Development,
(3) Street Maintenance Sales Tax, or the
(4) Venue Tax “Stadium Bill”.
III. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
a) The City of GP is committed to collaboration with community partners and will support the Legislative Agendas of the following, except if in conflict with the City:
i) Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce,
ii) Grand Prairie Independent School District, and the
iii) North Texas Commission.
Section 2. that this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval and it is accordingly so resolved and that the City’s authorized agents may act on it accordingly.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 17TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2020.