The State Association Resolutions Committee presents a report for consideration and adoption during the business session of the annual October conference of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. This item of business is required by the Constitution of the CJCAT. Committee members spend several hours reviewing and revising draft resolutions. These resolutions become the legislative program of the State Association. The state officers, members of the legislative committee, and Association staff work diligently to ensure the introduction and passage of these issues into law by the Texas Legislature. Copies of the resolutions are published in County Progress Magazine, distributed to members of the legislature, and posted on the Association website at www.cjcat.org. The resolutions are also available for downloading and printing at www.countyprogress.com.
There are currently 29 resolutions and 25 additional issues in the report adopted on Oct. 4, 2023.
These resolutions originate among the members of the Commissioners Courts of Texas and are often refined by the resolutions committees at the regional conferences. All members are encouraged to present ideas and drafts for consideration by these committees. Although there are some perennial issues that continue to require attention, new issues are developed as needed.
As the Commissioners Court is the financial steward for the county taxpayers, revenue and expenditure issues dominate the list of resolutions. Opposition to unfunded mandates (state-mandated property tax increases) is always of paramount concern. State responsibilities should be funded by state revenues. Extreme vigilance will be required until Texas adopts a constitutional amendment to prohibit unfunded mandates.
Equally obnoxious are the attempts to impose revenue caps and limits on local decision-making. With only the property tax available to fund mandates and local needs, the Commissioners Court should be granted the authority to determine local revenues without state interference. Local voter referendums should be available to provide funding options through the sales tax, severance tax, motor fuel tax, vehicle registration fees, and other revenue sources to reduce dependency upon the property tax.
Many state resolutions address specific mandates and efforts to limit local discretion. Recent attempts to prohibit legislative communications by state associations and Commissioners Court members are also exposed and opposed.
These resolutions provide a useful list of issues for discussion with local legislators. They also can be easily adapted for consideration by the Commissioners Court by the addition of local data. Please continue to educate our legislators and citizens on these issues, and let us know if you need any further information.