Loading...
Item 8ACITY OF SOUTH LAKE MEMORANDUM December 1, 2010 To: Shana Yelverton, City Manager From: Ben Thatcher, Assistant City Manager Subject: Item 8A - City of Southlake Legislative Agenda Action Requested: Approval of Resolution 10 -061, outlining the City's legislative agenda for the upcoming state legislative session. Background Information: Every two years the Texas Legislature meets in regular session. Over the last several years the Legislature has taken up a number of issues that were thought to be, by some, an aggressive stance with regard to City's rights to govern themselves in accordance with the desires of the City's citizens. The City of Southlake wants to ensure that it has the ability to preserve its current authority to govern the City, its citizens and property. The City has developed the attached draft legislative agenda for consideration by the City Council. The City's General Legislative Policy is: STATEMENT OF PRESERVATION As a general policy, the City of Southlake seeks to preserve its current authority to govern the City, its citizens, and its property in accordance with its strategic goals and interests. The City will oppose any legislation viewed as detrimental to the City's strategic goals; or that is contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates increased costs or loss of revenues; or that would diminish the fundamental authority of the City. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT The City supports any legislation viewed as advancing the City's strategic goals and interests; or that improves the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that responsibly increases revenues; or that advances the City's authority to conduct the public's business. The City will oppose any initiatives that seek to erode municipal authority or that otherwise have a negative impact on municipal operations, including but not limited to legislation that would: Honorable Mayor and City Council City Legislative Agenda Page 2 of 3 • Erode home rule authority; • Detrimentally affect the City's financial position by reducing revenue streams or increasing costs through unfunded mandates; • Erode the authority of Texas cities to manage and control their rights -of -way or other public property and to be reasonably compensated for such use; • Erode current municipal economic development authority; • Erode the current authority of Texas cities to enact a system and set the level of impact fees for new development; • Further restrict cities' ability to manage land uses or adopt or amend zoning regulations; • Erode municipal eminent domain authority; and • Any legislative requirement requiring the City to generate revenues for the State. Partnerships The City may form strategic partnerships with cities, political subdivisions, and private sector entities that share common goals with the City of Southlake. Additionally, the City will work in coordination with organizations such as the Texas Municipal League when their adopted positions are in line with the legislative objectives and goals of the City. The formation of strategic partnerships and coordinated efforts is intended to provide the City with a stronger presence in the legislative process. The remainder of the legislative agenda is broken down into the City's Legislative Issues and the Goals of the Legislative Activities. Each legislative issue is given a priority designation as follows: Seek passage of legislation dealing with the issue Support legislation dealing with the issue Oppose legislation dealing with the issue The Legislative Agenda includes the following issues: 1. Local Budgeting Authority and Revenue Sources 2. Local Control of Land Use Planning and Zoning 3. Municipal Regulation of Urban Gas Drilling 4. Protection of Local Economic Development Authority Honorable Mayor and City Council City Legislative Agenda Page 3 of 3 5. Multi jurisdictional Municipal Court 6. TMRS 7. Transportation 8. Collective Bargaining Financial Considerations: It may be necessary for both the staff and members of the City Council to travel to Austin during the legislative session. Sufficient funds have been budgeted in the FY2011 budget to cover these expenses. Citizen Input/ Board Review: N/A Legal Review: The City Attorneys as well as TML have both contributed to the language of the varying issues. Alternatives: The Council could rely on TML's legislative agenda and educational efforts for the legislative session; The Council could have no formal legislative agenda and rely on the staff to bring individual issues before the Council for your action. Because time is so often an issue during the legislative session you may find that this alternative puts the City in a "catch -up" position and /or without the Council providing specific support for a position on the issue, having the legislature suggesting that the position is merely that of one Council Member or the staff; Have no legislative agenda and deal with whatever legislation is passed by the State Legislature. Supporting Documents: Resolution 10 -061 City of Southlake's proposed 2011 legislative agenda Information on Southlake's Senators and Representatives Staff Recommendation: Passage of Resolution No. 10 -061 adopting the City of Southlake's Legislative Agenda. RESOLUTION NO. 10 -061 A RESOULTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE AGENADA FOR THE 82 TEXAS LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION. WHEREAS, Home Rule Charter of the City of Southlake, Texas, was approved by the voters in a duly call Charter election on April 4, 1987; and, WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need for the City to preserve its current authority to govern its citizens, budget and property; and, WHEREAS, the Texas Legislature has in the past adopted legislation that has impacted the City's ability to govern its citizens, budget and property; and, WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of the City being fully involved in the legislative process; and, WHEREAS, the City Council had deemed that the recommended legislative agenda reflects the strategic goals and interests of the City, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS THAT: Section 1. All of the findings in the preamble are found to be true and correct and the City Council incorporates said findings into the body of this resolution as if copied in its entirety. Section 2. Exhibit A is hereby adopted as the Legislative Agenda for the City of Southlake, Texas for the 82 Regular Legislative Session. Section 3. The different elements, issues or priorities, as adopted, and as amended from time to time, shall be kept on file in the office of the City Secretary of the City of Southlake, along with a copy of the resolution and minute order of the Council so adopting or approving same. Section 4. This resolution shall become effective on the date of approval by the City Council. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 7 TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2010 CITY OF SOUTHLAKE John Terrell, Mayor ATTEST: Lori Farwell, City Secretary SOUTHLAKE City of Southlake 2011 Legislative Agenda 82 nd Texas Legislative Session TABLE OF CONTENTS I. General Legislative Policy .... ............................... II. Goals of City Legislative Activities ........................ III. Legislative Issues ............... ............................... Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 GENERAL LEGISLATIVE POLICY STATEMENT OF PRESERVATION As a general policy, the City of Southlake seeks to preserve its current authority to govern the City, its citizens, and its property in accordance with its strategic goals and interests. The City will oppose any legislation viewed as detrimental to the City's strategic goals; or that is contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that mandates or results in increased costs or loss of revenues; or that would diminish the fundamental authority of the City. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT The City supports any legislation viewed as advancing the City's strategic goals and interests; or that improves the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens; or that responsibly increases revenues; or that advances the City's authority to conduct the public's business. The City will oppose any initiatives that seek to erode municipal authority or that otherwise have a negative impact on municipal operations, including but not limited to legislation that would: • Erode home rule authority; • Detrimentally affect the City's financial position by reducing revenue streams or increasing costs through unfunded mandates; • Erode the authority of Texas cities to manage and control their rights -of -way or other public property and to be reasonably compensated for such use; • Erode current municipal economic development authority; • Erode the current authority of Texas cities to enact a system and set the level of impact fees for new development; • Further restrict cities' ability to manage land uses or adopt or amend zoning regulations; • Erode municipal eminent domain authority; and • Any legislative requirement requiring the City to generate revenues for the State. Partnerships The City may form strategic partnerships with cities, political subdivisions, and private sector entities that share common goals with the City of Southlake. Additionally, the City will work in coordination with organizations such as the Texas Municipal League when their adopted positions are in line with the legislative objectives and goals of the City. The formation of strategic partnerships and coordinated efforts is intended to provide the City with a stronger presence in the legislative process. GOALS OF CITY EE,GISLATIE ACTIVITIES The fundamental goal of all City of Southlake legislative activities is to produce positive outcomes for the citizens of the City of Southlake as a whole. Numerous proposals in the Texas Legislature have the potential to seriously impact the ability of the City to carry out its overall mission. By taking a proactive role in monitoring and commenting on proposals in the Texas Legislature, we are working to ensure that the citizens of the City of Southlake can continue to enjoy the quality of life they have come to expect and deserve. The City of Southlake has formally adopted strategic priorities and objectives as outlined in a Strategy Map, shown below. This Map will guide the City Council in the ongoing process of evaluating legislative positions on the key issues of the 82 session of the Texas Legislature. 4 The City of life for Southlake provides municipal services that support the businesses. We do this by delivering highest quality of our residents and outstanding unrivaled quality in everything that we do. value and ■ ■ Lull • Chieve highest stands C2 Provide convenience travel C3 Provide a es unique spac es 6usRlesses to drive romote a opportunities for of safety and secu within region City and enjoyment of personal rCynamic and sustainable interests economic. environment partnerships and volunteer involvement 131 Achieve best -in -class 132 Collaborate select with 133 Enhance resident B4 Provide quality of life and g quality P artners to high Bb Improve performance B6 t3 ` status in all City disciplines implement solutions service business sustainability customer through tourism service of delivery and use of operational technology processes F1 Adhere to financial management F2 Invest to provide and F3 Achieve fiscal maintain high quality wellness F4 Establish and maintain effective principles and budget public assets standards internal controls Ensure our our people 12 Enhance 13 Attract, 14 Recognize 11-5 Empower rstand the strategy leadership develop and and retain a skilled reward high informed decision- levels and how they contribute to it capabilities to deliver results workforce performers making at all in the organization 4 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES 1. Local Budgeting Authority and Revenue Sources As a municipal government which provides important and essential services to its citizens, the City of Southlake will monitor any legislation that would unduly restrict the ability of the City to set its own budget or raise the necessary revenue to provide services to City residents and businesses. As it relates to this position, the City will: Su Mort legislation that: i. Simplifies the effective tax rate calculation for notice purposes only, provided the legislation would have no effect on the underlying effective tax rate and rollback tax rate calculations themselves, nor upon the hold harmless exemptions to those rates. Oppose legislation that: i. Establishes a municipal revenue cap; ii. Further restricts annual appraisal increases; iii. Imposes a tax freeze or tax cap; iv. Imposes any unfunded mandates; V. Restricts ability to impose and collect municipal impact fees from new developments; vi. Imposes any requirement to raise current state fees on local fines; vii. Imposes new fees that result in the City collecting funds on behalf of the State; viii. Lowers the rollback threshold or the rollback rate at which an election is triggered; ix. Establishes new exemptions from or diminishes the City's ability to collect sales or property taxes, or municipal fees; or X. Results in a significant reduction to the City's tax base. 2. Local Control of Land Use Planning and Zoning The ability of most cities to manage growth and development is based on the Texas constitution's home rule provisions. Cities are allowed to amend charters and pass ordinances as long as they do not conflict with the constitution or general laws enacted by the state legislature. The bottom line means that each home rule city can make its own decisions about what planning tools and techniques are most appropriate to its situation unless those tools have been proscribed by the Texas legislature. As it relates to this position, the City will: • Support legislation that preserves local land use authority. Oppose legislation that: i. Erodes local land use authority by restricting the ability of cities to zone or rezone properties; or ii. Restricts a city's ability to adopt or amend zoning regulations, or otherwise create a property right in a zoning classification. 3. Municipal Regulation of Urban Gas Drilling Southlake is located within the boundaries of the Barnett Shale's natural gas deposits. Efforts to drill and transport this important natural resource affect Southlake citizens, property owners, businesses and visitors. The City seeks legislative changes to grant local governments additional authority and oversight over gas pipelines located within municipal boundaries; and will monitor legislation related to gas well drilling, particularly language that is related to drilling in urban areas. As it relates to this position, the City will: Support legislation that: i. Permits greater local regulatory oversight of urban gas drilling, operations and placement of gas pipelines (midstream or intra- state) to ensure the preservation and integrity of the following: 1) private property rights for surface owners and users to utilize their property; 2) local comprehensive plans addressing land use, transportation and environmental preservation; 3) elected officials to tailor policies to meet the needs and demands of the community; and 4) city owned utilities which provide essential services to the citizens of the community; ii. Increases local authority over the regulation of air emissions or water quality as those items relate to gas development and production; iii. Repeals the right ofprivate companies holding eminent domain power, such as mid - stream or intra -state pipeline operators, of not being subject to the Public Information Act; iv. Provides cities the power to require the maintenance and inspection of gas drilling equipment and pipelines; v. Reduces the need for the installation of duplicative and redundant pipeline networks by requiringproducers to use the same or existing pipeline system; or vi. Provides clarification of the ambiguous language provided in Section § 382.113 of the Texas Health and Safety Code related to a municipality's ability to enforce an ordinance for the control and abatement of air pollution. • Oppose legislation that: i. Establishes model rules relating to municipal regulation of gas drilling, gas pipelines, or other gas - related equipment; or 6 ii. Weakens, strips, erodes or preempts the ability of cities to regulate gas pipeline locations or gas drilling operations, production or equipment. 4. Protection of Local Economic Development Authority Over the years, the City has utilized many different economic development tools and efforts to bring new investment to Southlake. During each legislative session these varying tools are the subject of much consideration and debate. It is in the City's interest to closely monitor these discussions and legislative activities as it potentially impacts our ability to use resources in building effective economic development programs and offer incentives to attract community investment. As it relates to this position, the City will: • Support legislation thatprovides local governments the ability to expand local economic development efforts. • Oppose legislation that would erode current authority to participate in local economic development projects, including but not limited to, the ability to provide tax abatements and Chapter 380 economic development agreements. 5. Multi jurisdictional Municipal Court The Cities of Southlake and Keller have studied the feasibility of consolidating municipal courts. In the local government code it is unclear whether or not this type of consolidated service is allowed. Asa result, the City joins the City of Keller in amending the local government code to allow multi jurisdictional municipal courts. As it relates to this position, the City will: • Seek an amendment to the Local Government Code as well as the Code of Criminal Procedure allowing contiguous municipalities to consolidate municipal courts. 6. TMRS The City of Southlake desires that an appropriate retirement system be provided to its current and former employees through the Texas Municipal Retirement System, one in which the needs of retired employees are balanced with the needs of taxpayers. To achieve this end, the City supports legislative changes which will provide cities participating in the Texas Municipal Retirement System with the flexibility needed to adequately balance these needs. As it relates to this position, the City will: • Support legislation that: i. Allows a city (for purposes of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TIERS) return -to -work provision) to define 'full time " as 1, 000; 1, 250; or 1,500 hours annually, so long as such a change would not endanger the federal tax status of TMRS; or ii. Creates additional, flexible, cost -of- living adjustment (COLA) options under the Texas Municipal Retirement System that are not retroactive to a retiree's date of retirement, such options to possibly include one -time increases tied to increases in the consumer price index or flat percentage increases. 7. Transportation The City of Southlake believes that the ability of the North Texas region to work cooperatively is essential to the viability of this community and that of the entire region. A primary element of regional cooperation is a transportation system that seamlessly allows movement of people and goods throughout the area. As a member of the North Texas region, the City of Southlake is committed to finding transportation solutions to facilitate movement to, from and through Southlake and the surrounding area. As it relates to this position, the City will: • Support legislation that: i. Allows for greater flexibility by cities to fund local transportation projects; amend or otherwise modify state law to help cities fund transportation projects; or provide municipalities with additional funding options and resources to address transportation needs that the state and federal governments are unable or unwilling to address; ii. Discontinues the diversion of transportation revenues to non - transportation purposes and appropriate all revenues from highway user fees and taxes to fund transportation; or iii. Provides additional funding to the Texas Department of Transportation for transportation projects that would benefit cities, so long as existing funding formulas are followed. • Oppose legislation that: i. Enacts any provision of the TxDOT sunset legislation that would be harmful to cities. 8. Collective Bargaining The City of Southlake believes that the decisions affecting the employment relationships between employers and employees are best made at the local level by the elected officials who represent the citizens of the local governments in which these individuals work, and not at the state and federal government. As it relates to this position, the City will: • Support legislation that: i. Exempts as many cities as possible from any federal collective bargaining legislation that may become law in the future. • Oppose legislation that: i. Expands the current meet - and - confer law. Information about Senators and Representatives Senator Jane Nelson Background: Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, R- Flower Mound, is known around the Capitol for her hard work and knowledge of state government. A businesswoman, former teacher, mother and grandmother, she brings her real -world experience to tackling some of the most pressing problems facing the state. She is the longest- serving Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee and a member of the budget- writing Senate Finance Committee. Senator Nelson has been ranked "most conservative" more times than any other State Senator. Her work on behalf of abused children, seniors, cancer survivors, domestic abuse victims and people with disabilities has earned her widespread praise. "She is definitely a superstar at the Capitol," said Mike Hailey, publisher of Capitol Inside, an online political newsletter. "She's definitely somebody you want to have on your side in a fight. If you don't, there's a good chance you're going to lose that fight." She and her husband, Mike, operate Mayday Manufacturing, an aircraft component manufacturing company in Denton. The couple met while they were both attending college at the University of Texas at Arlington. However, Jane eventually transferred to North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas), where she graduated with a degree in education. She taught the sixth grade in Arlington ISD while her husband finished his engineering degree. "Then I became a full -time mom and a professional volunteer," said the mother of five. While raising their children in Denton County, Senator Nelson remained active in the community. She founded adult literacy programs. She became a lifetime member of the PTA. And at a time when Democrats controlled every state and local office, she started to volunteer for the campaigns of Republicans, including the breakthrough victories of John Tower and Dick Armey. When the State Board of Education became an elected board in 1988, Jane went from being a volunteer to a candidate. She served four years, leaving her mark on the textbook selection process. After uncovering 5,000 errors in history books, she stacked them up on the steps of the Capitol to make her point. Her efforts led to reforms in the textbook adoption process. Onerous workers' compensation laws and her passion for education prompted her to run for the Texas Senate in a district that stretched from Denton County to Stephenville. "They called me the Dairy Queen candidate, because every single day I would load up the kids in our Suburban and hit the Dairy Queens that were the center of all these small towns," she recalled. "I pulled peanuts with farmers, milked cows, and met with local business owners. Many of them told me that they had never seen an elected official come and talk to them about the issues impacting their families. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life." In a district that leaned to the left, she won that election with 60.3 percent of the vote. Her campaign chairman was, at the time, part owner of the Texas Rangers -- a man named George W. Bush. Little did Senator Nelson know at the time he would become governor and then president. As chair of the state's top health policy- making committee, Jane oversees programs impacting millions of Texans around the state. "What we do in health and human services touches the lives of children, seniors, Texans with disabilities and other vulnerable citizens," she said. "Our decisions have an enormous impact on citizens who rely on state services, as well as those who support them with their tax dollars." Her legislative accomplishments are numerous, including legislation to improve access to health care; rein in skyrocketing costs; assist victims of domestic violence; protect Texans with disabilities; and care for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. In addressing these issues, Senator Nelson remains mindful of the need to contain government spending, having been named the most fiscally conservative Senator by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. She has won many awards, including Champion for Free Enterprise from the National Federation of Independent Business, CASA Champion for Children, and the National Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society -- given annually to just one state lawmaker from all 50 states. Senator Nelson's father, the late Robert Gray, was a World War II veteran "who taught me to love my country," she said. Her mother, the late Edna Gray, "was my hero," said Senator Nelson, who served as a primary caretaker as her mother struggled with Alzheimer's. "She survived World War II, the Great Depression and still succeeded in the most important job of all -- motherhood." Issues: Senator Jane Nelson believes in fiscally responsible, limited government that focuses on the basics. During her time in the Senate, she has logged an exemplary voting record against irresponsible government spending. In addition, she has proven herself a problem solver and a fighter for the priority issues of North Texas -- education, transportation, economic development and health care. "I understand that government has a role to play, but the best solutions to problems in our daily lives come from people -- not the Legislature," she said. "As we work to address our public policy challenges -- and we do have them -- we must always remember that every time government expands its reach, some of our own personal and economic freedom is lost in the process. Our freedoms must be cherished and preserved." As Chairman of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, she plays a key role in shaping policy on public health, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, medical licensing, social services, pharmacy benefits, and protective services for children, seniors and Texans with disabilities. "We have a responsibility to our seniors, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable citizens," Senator Nelson said. "As we set policies and budgets, we need to think about the people who rely on these services, as well as the people who support them through their hard - earned tax dollars." Senator Nelson has received widespread praise for her efforts to promote cancer prevention and research, curb domestic violence, reduce childhood obesity, protect Texans with disabilities, reform child protective services, prevent fraud in our social services and expand access to care. Committees (81 Legislature): • Nominations • Finance • Government Organization • Health and Human Services, Chair • Veterans Health, Select • Criminal Commitments of Individuals with Mental Retardation, Select • Oversight of HHS Eligibility System, Joint Senator Wendy Davis Background: Wendy Davis was elected in 2008 to represent central Tarrant County in the Texas Senate after nearly nine years serving neighborhoods on the Fort Worth City Council. In 2009, Wendy was named legislative "Rookie of the Year" by Texas Monthly magazine, which wrote, "That old rule that freshmen are supposed to stay quiet? She proved it can be ignored if you're smart, tough, and well prepared." Wendy serves on the Senate Committees on Education, Transportation and Homeland Security, Veterans' Affairs and Military Installations, and International Relations and Trade. Her legislative priorities center on public and higher education, transportation, bringing Texas' burdensome electric and homeowners' insurance rates in line with national averages, and reforming predatory lending markets. Wendy attended Tarrant County College before graduating first in her class from Texas Christian University. She then went on to Harvard Law School, graduating with honors. Wendy is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Amber and Dru, and one overly - affectionate yellow lab named Moots. Issues: Public School Education Education is a priority for Wendy, and she looks forward to finding solutions to the problems that our schools are facing. She will fight to ensure that teachers have the resources they need to do the best possible job in the classroom. Wendy will also make certain that our teachers receive the pay and benefits they deserve so that we can recruit and retain the best and the brightest to teach our children. Wendy believes that our schools should be a funding priority, and operate with the goal of preparing our children for success in the real world, not just to pass the next standardized test. Wendy has been endorsed by the Texas State Teachers Association, the United Educators Association of Texas, and the American Federation of Teachers. Access to College As the first person in her family to graduate from college, Wendy understands the extensive opportunity provided by a higher education. Unfortunately, Wendy's opponent voted to deregulate college tuition in Texas, a decision which has led to a 112% tuition rate increase on average statewide. Wendy is concerned about skyrocketing tuition rates that are making it hard for middle -class families to afford college, and she will work hard to bring those tuition rates back in line. While on the Fort Worth City Council, Wendy worked with the Summerbridge program, a program with the goal of increasing access to education for students with high potential who otherwise may not be able to afford it. Wendy believes that we should work to provide all Texas students the opportunity to attend college and further their education. Utility Rates Wendy believes that the burden of our utility rates can and must be lightened. Take a moment to think back to six years ago, before the current Texas legislature, including Wendy's opponent, voted to deregulate the utility industry. At that time, Texas had one of the lowest average electricity rates in the nation. Since then, utility companies have seen profits skyrocket and Texans now pay the highest utility rates in the nation. The promises of deregulation have not been realized, and Texas families are feeling the effects of the high prices. Wendy wants to protect Texas families from predatory utility companies by returning legislative oversight to the industry, and bringing Texas electricity rates back down to at least the national average. Homeowner's Insurance Rates Rising homeowner's insurance rates are a growing financial burden on the families of Tarrant County, and Wendy will work to ease this burden when in the Texas Senate. Texas homeowners are forced to pay some of the highest insurance rates in the country for the least coverage, because there is very little oversight in the industry. Wendy's opponent, himself a wealthy insurance executive, has voted at every opportunity with the current Texas legislature to enrich the insurance companies at Texas families' expense, making Texas the highest -cost and highest - profit insurance climate in the nation. For example, he voted for the "file and use" system, whereby insurance companies are allowed to arbitrarily raise rates without immediate state oversight. Wendy will fight against failed policies and practices like these that currently allow insurance companies to take unfair advantage of hard working Texans. Children's Health Insurance Wendy will work to ensure that all children in Texas have access to affordable, quality health care. In 2003, Wendy's opponent voted for a bill that removed more than 230,000 Texas children off the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by changing the eligibility requirements. To make matters worse, Texas also lost millions of dollars in Federal funding that was devoted to the CHIP program. This Federal matching funding has now been diverted to other uses, when it could have been helping keep the children of Texas healthy. Shortchanging our children in the name of budget cuts is not an acceptable compromise. Wendy believes that even in the hardest financial times, the last programs to be cut should be those that benefit our children, our future. Transportation Wendy is known as a leader in the transportation arena, having served for 8 years on the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council. The former chair of that group, Wendy believes that the future of Texas transportation lies in a balanced system including more efficient road and land use planning, supplemented by regional rail and other modes. Wendy also believes that the current trend toward privatization of roadways through toll networks and land- grabs, such as the proposed Trans -Texas Corridor, must be reversed. Wendy will work toward a transportation system that is accessible and fair to all Texans, without unnecessary tolls or abuse of eminent domain. Economy and Jobs While on the Fort Worth City Council, Wendy built a proven record of working to build a vibrant economy and a healthy community. Wendy has been consistently recognized as a leader in economic development, and has shown she is willing to put politics aside to help solve the problems we face. As chair of the Central City Revitalization and Economic Development Committee, Wendy worked to create new jobs for Tarrant County and enhance our quality of life. Wendy will work just as hard in the State Senate, ensuring a better economic future for all Texans. FnvirnnmPnt As a state senator, Wendy will work toward public policies to promote a clean and healthy environment because she believes it is not only an issue of public health, but also a moral obligation. One of today's most pressing public health issues is right under our collective noses: the dirty air Tarrant County families are breathing. While North Texas continues to be in nonattainment with EPA air quality standards, pollution - related health problems are on the rise. The asthma rates among young children, for example, have more than doubled in the last 20 years. Wendy Davis will work hard to advance policies that promote a healthy environment. Our future generations deserve nothing less. Crime and Drugs Wendy believes that Texans have a right to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and schools, and that problems like crime must be attacked from both sides. Tarrant County is lucky to have the dedicated public servants employed by our local police forces. Wendy feels a responsibility to give our hard - working officers the tools and resources they need to respond to crime with maximum efficiency, and also to seek out the root causes of crime and work to prevent it before it happens. Our police officers stand up for the residents of Tarrant County every day, and Wendy will stand up for them when she is in the Texas Senate. True Representation Wendy believes that the leadership in Austin has lost its way, forgetting that it is we, not special interests, who call them to serve. Public service should be about true representation, listening, and service, and Wendy has a proven record during her time on the Fort Worth City Council of working in the community and listening to the people she represents. As your senator, Wendy will work proactively to ensure that the everyday problems we face are being heard in Austin and are addressed. Committees (81 Legislature): • International Relations & Trade, Vice -Chair • Education • Transportation & Homeland Security • Veteran Affairs & Military Installations • Veterans Health, Select Representative Vicki Truitt Background and Issues: Now in her sixth term in office, our own state Rep. Vicki Truitt has become a leader in the Texas House of Representatives. She is the current Chairman of Texas House of Representatives' Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services, and is a member of the House Committee on Public Health. Prior to ascending to the chair of Pensions, Investments and Financial Services, she was Chairman of Budget and Oversight for the House Committee on Public Health, Vice Chairman of the prestigious Sunset Advisory Commission, and a member of the state's budget writing Appropriations Committee. Vicki is a native and lifelong resident of Northeast Tarrant County, and remains involved in community endeavors. She is a member of the Northeast Leadership Forum, the Metroport Cities Partnership, the Southlake Executive Forum, the Mid - Cities Supporters of SafeHaven, an Honorary member of the Southlake Rotary Club, and, among others, has served on the boards and executive committees of Metroport Meals On Wheels and ARTSNET (formerly the Arts Council of Northeast Tarrant County). She is the Past - President of the Rotary Club of Keller, as well as the Past - President of the Keller Rotary Foundation. She has been a Rotary Interact Club advisor, has hosted Rotary International Exchange Students, and is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Vicki was recently appointed to the Pension Review Board, the agency assigned to protect Texas investors while ensuring a free and competitive securities market in Texas. Vicki chairs the Executive Committee of the Texas Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities, and is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where she was an invited speaker during NCSL's 2007 national meeting in Philadelphia. Outside the Texas Legislature, Vicki has worked in the health care field for more than three decades. She owns and operates a small health care consulting company specializing in medical staff development. She and her husband, Jim, have been married for 30 years. They have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. In her former life, Vicki trained and showed horses, and was a national champion barrel racer and rodeo queen. One newspaper described her as "having a calm demeanor, yet bulldog determination." In fact, during her first term in office, her House colleagues gave her the nickname, "Bulldog." But she says that her determination and tenacity are focused to serve those to whom she owes her allegiance - the people of the 98th Texas House District, and she says that, "Resolve, and a willingness to engage in an occasional war of the wills is essential if I am to effectively serve the people I represent." Committees (81 Legislature): • Federal Economic Stabilization Funding • Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services, Chair • Public Health • Transportation Funding Representative Tan Parker Background: Currently in his second term, Tan Parker represents House District 63, which stretches from the bluebonnets of Flower Mound to the Texas Motor Speedway to the open horse county of Aubrey and Pilot Point. Initially elected to office in 2006, Parker is an effective champion for economic development, job creation, further property tax relief, appraisal reform, strengthening border security and immigration policy, promoting fiscally responsible government spending and protecting family values. His efforts were rewarded during his second term in office when the Speaker of the House named Parker as Vice - Chairman of the newly created Technology, Economic Development and Workforce Committee. Parker also serves on the Pensions, Investments and Financial Services Committee and the Select Committee on Oversight of Health and Human Services Eligibility Systems. Since taking office, Parker's legislative accomplishments have included passing legislation: • Empowering communities with the tools necessary to utilize available infrastructure resources to attract and retain large -scale economic development projects and create new jobs • Aimed at operating local government in a more efficient manner that saves tax dollars • Moving more children out of foster care and into permanent homes • Further protecting children by better educating parents, students and teachers as to the signs of and how to prevent child sexual abuse • Improving hospital efficiency in patient services • Extending the Good Samaritan Act to include volunteer emergency service personnel • Better educating parents to the importance of child immunizations • Improving upon lake recreational safety Parker's legislative accomplishments have been recognized by such respected groups as: Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, the Texas Association of Business, the Heritage Alliance, the Young Conservatives of Texas, Eagle Forum and others. A graduate of the University of Dallas with a Bachelors degree and possessing a Masters degree from the London School of Economics, Parker is a successful Texas businessman. He began his career in public service as a White House intern under President George H.W. Bush and began his career in state government as Governor Perry's appointed Chairman of the Texas Industrial Development Corporation, prior to being elected to the Legislature. Parker currently resides in Flower Mound, Texas with his wife Beth, and two daughters, Lauren and Ashley. Issues: Pushing Back on Washington in the Era of Big Government Mandates As a tireless advocate of states rights, Representative Parker is quick to point out that the federal government obtained its power from the individual states, and not the other way around. He believes in fewer federal mandates and empowering individual state legislatures with the ability to address their own needs and provide for their citizens' prosperity. During the 81 st Legislative Session, Representative Parker served as a co- author to HCR 50, a resolution that reaffirms to Washington that Texas is a sovereign state protected under the 10th amendment of the United States Constitution. As a businessman focused on protecting our state's economy, Representative Parker also filed legislation challenging federal government mandates by providing that Texas would accept stimulus dollars earmarked for unemployment insurance, but as soon as those dollars were exhausted the costly "strings" attached to their acceptance would immediately expire and not come to fruition. While his legislation ultimately did not pass, the attention it received helped craft the argument for why Texas is better served to turn down federal dollars that come with costly, unnecessary mandates. As a lawmaker who believes that consumer choices are best left to the consumer, Representative Parker has also been outspoken in his support for Attorney General Greg Abbott's constitutionality challenges to the federal healthcare plan and other Washington mandates. With the fundamental belief that Texas' challenges are best addressed by those elected from this state to govern this state, Representative Parker will remain a leader in pushing back against big government and promoting the constitutional rights of individual states. Fiscal Responsibility with Your Tax Dollars Twice recognized for his efforts by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Representative Parker believes in a sound fiscal approach that is centered on responsible spending and reducing taxes. In 2007, he was part of the largest property tax reduction in our nation's history. That same year, he supported successful legislation that reduced and then refroze property tax rates for seniors and disabled citizens. Then again in 2009, Representative Parker co- authored legislation that removed an additional 40,000 small businesses from the franchise tax rolls. His efforts have helped Texas to achieve the designation of spending less per- capita than any other state in the nation. During the 2009 session, Representative Parker proudly supported a state budget that reduced state government spending by 1.9 percent. In the past, he has championed legislation to further prohibit a state income tax in Texas and to also dedicate budget surpluses to further property tax relief. His priorities for the future remain: opposing unnecessary increases in government spending, reducing taxes and returning future budget surpluses to Texas taxpayers. Providing a Strong Education System Since Representative Parker joined the Texas Legislature, public education funding has increased by more than $5 billion dollars, Texas teachers twice received a pay raise and retired teachers were given a bonus 13th check in 2008. While an advocate for aggressively funding public education, Representative Parker also places great emphasis on responsibly allocating tax dollars so that Texas can achieve the most out of its public education resources. This approach is contributing to why Texas high school students achieved higher ACT scores in 2009 than 14 states that spend more per student on funding public education. Alongside the increases in funding, Representative Parker has supported a menu of tools provided to public schools meant to improve the quality of education in Texas, including: replacing the TAKS Test with end of course exams for grades 9 — 12, greater technological resources and programs that help at risk students stay on the path to high school graduation. Results from these programs can already be seen, as Texas' drop- out rate fell from 16.6% to 10.8% in just one year. In 2007, Representative Parker proudly supported successful measures that protect a student's right to voluntary religious expression and allows biblical studies as an elective course in high school curriculums. As a father of two young daughters in the Lewisville Independent School District, Representative Parker remains committed to providing an excellent public education system centered on classroom success and individual student growth that allows our children, our greatest asset and investment, to be competitive in a 21 st century global economy. Securing our Border, Fighting Illegal Immigration and Safeguarding our State in a Post 9/11 World In the absence of true action by the federal government, Representative Parker supports a state's ability to proactively address their border security and immigration concerns. Having extensively toured segments of the Texas /Mexico border, he understands, first hand, the resources that are necessary to secure our border and protect our prosperity. That is why Representative Parker has twice supported increases in border security funding, the creation of the Governor's Border Security Council, Blackhawk helicopters assigned to patrolling Texas' border and has championed for additional DPS officers to protect our vast border region. In the past, Representative Parker has supported key initiatives on the immigration reform front. He joint- authored successful legislation that penalizes businesses who accept taxpayer funded grants while knowingly employing undocumented workers. Additionally, Representative Parker has co- authored attempts to: require proof of identification to vote in Texas, use the e- verify system for verifying the citizenship of potential state employee hires, make transparent the cost of services and benefits provided to non - citizens in Texas and ensure the enforcement of federal immigration laws by local law enforcement. In focusing on reform for the future, Representative Parker remains committed to these initiatives and also to deploying the National Guard to assist in border security, licensing local law enforcement as Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agents and dedicating more resources to border security in Texas. Strengthening Our Economy, Bringing New Jobs to Texas Representative Parker developed his economic strategy from more than fifteen years as a successful businessman in the private sector. He firmly believes in a limited government, free enterprise approach where private business can depend on a responsible, predictable regulatory climate where government encourages job creation through sound tax policy. His approach, and that of likeminded state leaders is why: 1. Texas is rated as the 3rd friendliest state for entrepreneurship 2. Texas created over 470,000 new private sector jobs since 2005 while the rest of the nation combined lost nearly 5 million private sector jobs 3. More Fortune 1000 companies call Texas home than any other state 4. Even during these challenging times, Texas' unemployment rate remains well below the national average, and 5. Texas is the number 2 state in gross domestic product. While we have weathered this global economic downturn in a much more manageable fashion than other states and nations, Representative Parker understands that we still have work to do in order to get more hardworking Texans back to work. That is why he is committed to: a responsible state spending approach that continues to reduce business taxes, maintaining a reasonable regulatory climate that does not hinder economic activity, properly training our next generation's workforce to compete in a global economy, and strengthening tax incentives that attract new jobs to Texas. Committees (81 Legislature): • Pensions, Investments, and Financial Strategies • Vice chair, Technology, Economic Development, and Workforce • Fiscal Stability