P.O. Box 12068 Capital Station Austin, Texas 78711-2068
Dear Senator Huffines:
On behalf of various municipalities that comprise your Texas Senate District, we write today to request a meeting with you to discuss our concern about an increasing trend among some members of the State Legislature to turn local matters into state concerns. With no prior dialogue, we were caught by surprise with your filing various bills eroding local control. We suggest a meeting with you, in the District, to establish an ongoing dialogue for legislative issues concerning cities. A discussion allowing us to hear your philosophy about local control, and your listening to the important work performed by municipalities can be advantageous for us all. As with all tough decisions that local and State elected officials must make, some citizens or elected officials may not always agree with the ordinances or statutes enacted by those elected officials. We, all the Mayors in your District, are proud of our responsiveness to the constituents we both share. We regularly receive citizens testimony in our open Council meetings. Just like you, we also read and respond to letters, e-mails and phone calls from the very same constituents. Both you and we are answerable to our residents in the voting booth. As our Senator, we would appreciate your regularly consulting with us on matters that impact our cities and our common constituents. We would also like to request that you reconsider pursuing legislation, such as your S.B. 343 and S.B. 1673, and work to defeat the myriad bills introduced this session attacking local control. We ask you to recognize that municipalities have to make decisions at neighborhood levels, and not every neighborhood in a state of 26 million people is the same. That is why Texans have always recognized that there is a role for state government, and a compatible role for local government. Current law balances municipal authority to enact reasonable ordinances to protect the liberty, health, safety, and property values, while ensuring that the will of the local voters is heard, and that our states economy remains vibrant. Each of us take care being staunch stewards of our residents welfare and of their tax dollars. Like you, we take these responsibilities seriously and with great pride. Individually and as a group, we are here as a resource for you to assist in carrying out these duties. It is our hope that in the future you will reach out to us for our input and consideration on state legislation affecting local governance.
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