One-Size-Fits-All Public Policies Don’t Work for Texans
Defend Your Right to Advocate for Local and Regional Priorities at the State Capitol
Legislation that would silence local taxpayers and stifle community priorities is being debated again by state legislators in Austin
Local officials from counties, cities and school districts work in partnership with business leaders, economic development coalitions and other local taxpayers to advocate at the state Capitol for public policies that bolster and protect unique local priorities and initiatives.
But legislation being debated by the 87th Texas Legislature would silence this crucial community advocacy, disrupting the bedrock of our state’s economic success and threatening the quality of life enjoyed by Texans living in unique communities statewide.
This threat would impact you, your business and your community
Under legislation being considered by the 87th Texas Legislature, local taxpayers, local elected officials, regional economic development coalitions and other community partners would be stripped of their rights to invest community funds in professional lobby services, stifling the ability of communities statewide to effectively support crucial local priorities and initiatives.
The use of professional advocates to manage the legislative process is a right enjoyed by all legislative stakeholders, and it is imperative that local communities retain the right to be on equal footing when the merits of state policies that affect local communities are debated at the state Capitol.
Act Now: Oppose efforts to silence taxpayers who advocate for community priorities
The system by which local community leaders today join associations or hire professional advocates to defend community priorities is transparent and accountable. And the current system works, as it represents the majority will of local voters and taxpayers (who can make changes to local leadership via the ballot box), and provides benefits to the communities in which they reside.
Diverse local voices amplified through the actions of associations and professional advocates are essential to the production of good public policy, and local Texas communities refuse to relinquish their right to be heard.