TAC Names Legislators Friends of County Government

The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) has named nine state legislators Friends of County Government for their dedication to working for the betterment of counties and their taxpayers.

Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, Rep. Tryon Lewis and Rep. Charlie Geren were recently honored with the award. TAC invited county officials from the representatives’ home districts to attend each Friend of County Government award ceremony, which took place in commissioners courts throughout the state.

Additional recipients are House Speaker Joe Straus, Sen. John Carona, Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, Sen. Wendy Davis, Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon and Rep. Drew Darby.

TAC Executive Director Karen Ann Norris noted the valuable individual contributions of each legislator and remarked on one similarity among them — an unwavering support of local control.

“These legislators have proven themselves true friends of county government through their consistent support of decision-making at the local level, especially when it comes to revenue and taxes,” Norris said. “They understand that property taxpayers benefit from local control, instead of the state’s imposing a one-size-fits all system on Texas’ 254 diverse counties.”

• TAC chose Straus as a recipient of the Friend award for his abilities as a leader, which brought the House back into an era of civility, reasoned discourse and trust between members.
  
  
• Carona was chosen as an award recipient for his steadfast efforts and forward-thinking views on transportation planning and the resources needed for improving transportation in our fast-growing state.
  
  
• Jim Wells County Judge L. Arnoldo Saenz presented Gonzalez Toureilles with a plaque in the Jim Wells County Commissioners Court Sept. 14. Gonzalez Toureilles was recognized for her hard work on creating the much-needed technology fund, backing of counties on overweight permits and carrying bills to assist counties and their jails with the impact of parole violators.
  
  
• Lewis received his award from Ector County Judge Susan Redford Sept. 28 during the Ector County Commissioners Court meeting. Lewis was honored for his earnest attempt to correct the mineral valuation problem and his work on juvenile justice issues.
  
  
• Tarrant County Commissioner and TAC President J.D. Johnson presented Geren with the Friend award Oct. 20 in the Tarrant County Commissioners Court. Geren was recognized for his consistent support of local elected officials.
  
  
• Darby will be presented with an award in Tom Green County Commissioners Court Nov. 10. The court commends the representative for his work on House Bill 3398, which maintains local decision-making regarding county finances for county treasurers.
  
  
• Van de Putte will be recognized in the Bexar County Commissioners Court Nov. 17 for her leadership as the Senate Democratic Caucus chair and work with other senators on the issue of local control.
  
  
• McClendon will also be honored by the Bexar County Commissioners Court Nov. 17 in a joint ceremony with Van de Putte. The representative was chosen to receive the award based on her diligent endeavors to preserve the integrity of the juvenile justice system and support of counties on the Juvenile Justice Conference Committee.
  
  
• TAC named Davis a Friend of County Government for her unswerving allegiance to preserving local control, particularly as it relates to maintaining our representative democracy by having locally elected officials make the decisions on revenue and taxes. Davis will receive her award in Tarrant County Commissioners Court Dec. 8.