Legislators to County Officials: Get Involved

Highlights from the CJCAT conference

Two state senators led off an informative array of legislative speakers at the 87th annual conference of the County Judges and Commissioners Association (CJCAT) in Corpus Christi Oct. 5-8.

Senators Royce West (D-Dallas) and Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio) both urged county officials to be involved in the legislative process, including important issues taken up by committees during the interim, such as changing a 2007 law that resulted in tax shifts from oil and gas properties to local homeowners and business owners in many counties, as well as continuing the battles against caps and unfunded mandates.

Uresti sought to correct the valuation problem in the 81st session with his SB 2557, which passed the Senate but died in the House. “We’re prepared to pre-file that bill in November,” Uresti told the audience. “And don’t assume because you’ve got a good senator or good representative that your interests will be looked after,” he added. “Reach out to us — let us hear from you. Sometimes things come in under the radar.”

West, chair of Senate Intergovernmental Relations, warned of the possibility of more unfunded mandates being introduced in the 82nd Legislature in 2011. “The state looks to counties to fill gaps and often without funding. And it’s not getting any better,” West said, noting indigent defense, mental health and health care as areas in which counties often find the states forcing increased unfunded mandates on them.

West said the state’s economy is in a downturn with lower appraisals in many places and less revenue for counties. “Therefore, it’s very important that the state should not place any additional restrictions on you in the form of revenue and appraisal caps…I will continue to support your efforts regarding (caps) — you have my word.”

West mentioned HB 2833, which gives counties limited authority to impose building codes in unincorporated areas. “This represents a dramatic change in the relationship between county government and state government,” he said, adding that he’s asked to conduct an interim study to monitor and get feedback on how counties are implementing the new law.

Regarding the health care debate in Washington, West said, “the fact of the matter is we’re going to have to do something about health care,” noting that one-third of the state budget is for health and human services and that too many people end up in emergency rooms because Texas ranks last in insured persons. “I’m asking you to take off your red jerseys and your blue jerseys (referring to the two political parties) and put on your Texas jerseys.” (And don’t worry, you A&M and Texas Tech folks; he didn’t mean burnt orange with that remark!)

West said the cost of health care “is going to end up being a noose around all our necks” if something is not done.

Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) continued the discussion of health care reform during the next panel of four House members, including him, Rep. René O. Oliveira (D-Brownsville), Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) and Rep. Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton).

“We’re all joined at the hip” regarding health care, said Coleman, chair of House County Affairs. “This is very important: the people who you pay for now through indigent health care will have insurance paid by the state and federal government” if a meaningful health care reform bill passes Congress.

Coleman also pledged to vote against any future caps bill, citing Colorado as a state where revenue and spending caps did not work.

Oliveira, chair of House Ways and Means and Legislator of the Year for both the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) and CJCAT, likewise was blunt in his assessment of lower caps. “I’ve always opposed these. I’ve always thought it was the ultimate act of arrogance to tell you how to spend your money. I don’t see counties wasting money…I know there are some organized groups (for caps), but they don’t understand what it costs to pave a road or carry out the constitutional duty for indigent health care.”

Oliveira also urged county officials to inform the Legislature regarding county issues during the interim and when the next session begins. “Hold us accountable! I don’t think I’ve seen enough of that from this group.”

He emphasized how important the 2010 Census will be to Texas and local governments because much federal money is allocated based on population. “Texas and local governments will lose money if everybody is not counted,” Oliveira said. That will be particularly crucial because the state will have budget problems in 2011, facing a $9 to $11 billion deficit without having federal stimulus money to help. Oliveira said he believes dipping into the state’s Rainy Day Fund “will have to be on the table” in 2011.

Hunter discussed his efforts on windstorm insurance for the Coast, his chairmanship of House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence and liability reform. He also urged county officials to contact their legislators about issues.

Heflin, a former Crosby County judge, did the same. “When you come to Austin, don’t just go see the people who like you,” he said. “Go see the people who don’t like you, and maybe you can educate them. And most of all, stick together.”

Along with Oliveira’s top award, the other legislators speaking to the conference received CJCAT Outstanding Service awards. And Hunter turned the table by presenting CJCAT President and San Patricio County Judge Terry Simpson with a framed copy of a House resolution honoring his work.