Happy November. Wow, it’s hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner. Soon we’ll be surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones celebrating one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. It’s a time for me to reflect on the goodness that God has provided me and be thankful for all He has done. I hope that you will feel His grace and love during these special times.
I want to thank the many, many people who helped make the 90th Annual County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas Conference a big success. I especially want to thank the Hays County Commissioners Court for their continued support and help in allowing me the time off to travel around the state and prepare for the conference, and allowing their staff to come out and help with the preparations. I also want to thank the staff at TAC and County Progress Magazine along with the V.G. Young Institute and our general counsel, Jim Allison, and his staff for making this conference such a success. Also, I’d like to thank my assistant, Sylvia, for all her hard work and dedication. Finally, I want to thank our Association officers: incoming President and Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon, First Vice President and Lubbock County Commissioner Patti Jones, and outgoing Immediate Past President and Oldham County Judge Don Allred. If you have not had an opportunity to know these individuals, please take time to do so. They have encouraged and inspired me, and I know they will serve you and the Association well. I want to also welcome our newest officer, Second Vice President and Brooks County Judge Raul Ramirez. What a wonderful team we have!
As we near a new legislative session, let us please remember the important Resolutions our Association just passed. These Resolutions, published in full in pages ?-?, address issues that will negatively affect our counties. We must stand together with one voice as we speak to our legislators regarding these issues. Here is a brief recap of some of the more significant issues:
Opposition to Unfunded Mandates – support and favor the passage of legislation in the form of an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Texas that would expressly prohibit the imposition of a mandatory governmental program on Texas counties, whether by an act of the Texas Legislature or a state agency or by executive order, unless the State of Texas has fully funded and disbursed all necessary funds to enable Texas counties to operate said governmental program;
Opposition to Appraisal Caps and Revenue Caps – oppose efforts to limit local control and oppose any attempts to impose revenue caps or appraisal caps upon Texas counties; and
Opposition to Diversion of Dedicated Funds – oppose any state diversion of dedicated funds and support the state leadership’s commitment to end this practice.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve you as president of our Association. It has been my absolute honor and pleasure, and I am so thankful for the many new friends I have made. I have learned tremendously from this experience, and I will cherish it forever. Please know I continue to be available to assist in any way I can.
Many Blessings,
Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe