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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-22-21-5.6 - Resolution - 04/22/2021 RESOLUTION NO. 04-22-21-5.6 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED SENATE BILL 10 AND SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN THE 87TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES WHEREAS, on December 10, 2020, the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas, passed Resolution No. 12-10-20-4.5 adopting the City’s 2021 Legislative Program; and WHEREAS, the 2021 Legislative Program provides that the City seeks to preserve home rule authority for College Station citizens and may oppose bills that allow for state preemption of municipal authority or erode College Station’s authority to govern locally; and WHEREAS, with the Texas Legislature’s increasing focus on local government, the City has benefitted greatly from its membership in the Texas Municipal League, as well as relying on modest, professional consulting services to navigate each legislative session; and WHEREAS, the proposed Senate Bill 10, along with similar legislation in the House, would prohibit a city or county from spending public funds to directly or indirectly influence or attempt to influence the outcome of any legislation pending before the legislature; and WHEREAS, this bill would deleteriously affect the City’s ability to advocate for our community while adding financial costs and operational complexities; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: PART 1: That the facts and recitations set forth in this Resolution are declared true and correct. PART 2: That the City Council hereby opposes Senate Bill 10, Senate Bill 234, and House Bill 749, all of which propose to limit the authority for local communities to effectively lobby to the legislature for their interests. PART 3: That the City Council hereby agrees that these services enhance City leaders’ ability to better understand legislative developments, focus on the most essential issues impacting citizens and businesses, and communicate efficiently with elected representatives, House and Senate leadership, and other agencies. PART 4: That this Resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage. ADOPTED this 22nd day of April, 2021. ATTEST: APPROVED: ______________________________ _________________________________ City Secretary Mayor APPROVED: _______________________________ City Attorney