
Sunset Commission staff and various state agencies are filing their recommendations for consideration by the Commission which is scheduled to meet Aug. 29 and 30.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is among the agencies under review this year, and one of the recommendations has been to require DPS to “develop and implement a plan to close inefficient driver license offices.” That charge has resulted in a staff recommendation to close 87 driver license offices across the state with most of those being the only driver license office in the county.
Jim Allison, General Counsel for the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, has shared his correspondence of Aug. 9 to Commission members.
It should be noted that neither the Commission nor the Legislature have taken any action at this time to begin closures. In fact, eight senators and 16 state representatives have written a letter to Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Grandbury), Sunset Commission Chair, to present arguments against these closures. As a result of contacts already made by many local elected officials, it is anticipated that one of the Commission members may offer an amendment at next week’s meeting to strike this proposal from any final recommendation
Make Your Voice Heard
Now is the time to contact members of the Sunset Commission and your local legislators to share your concerns over the proposed closures. It should be noted that neither the Commission nor the legislature have taken any action at this time to begin closures.
An overview on “How to Participate” in the Sunset process is available at the Commission’s website.
Public input for agencies under review may be submitted online and select “Department of Public Safety (DPS)” from the dropdown menu.
Comments may also be directed to members of the Sunset Commission. As always, be sure to copy your local legislators with any communications.
Lastly, let your constituents know about the possibility of these closures, and how it will affect them. Share this article on Facebook and Twitter.
Sunset Commission
Member |
Email |
Mailing Address |
Chair Sen.
Brian Birdwell |
Brian.Birdwell@senate.texas.gov |
1315 Waters Edge Dr.
Suite 116-2
Granbury, TX 76048 |
Vice Chair
Rep. Chris Paddie |
Chris.Paddie@house.texas.gov |
102 W. Houston St.
Marshall, TX 75670 |
Sen. Dawn Buckingham |
Dawn.Buckingham@senate.texas.gov |
819 Water St.
Suite 125
Kerrville, TX 78028 |
Rep. Dan Flynn |
Dan.Flynn@house.texas.gov |
P.O. Box 999
Canton, TX 75103 |
Sen. Bob Hall |
Bob.Hall@senate.texas.gov |
6537 Horizon Rd.
Suite B-1
Rockwall, TX 75032 |
Rep. Stan Lambert |
Stan.Lambert@house.texas.gov |
547 Chestnut
Abilene, TX 79602 |
Rep. Poncho Nevarez |
Poncho.Nevarez@house.texas.gov |
1995 Williams St.
Eagle Pass, TX 78852 |
Sen. Robert Nichols |
Robert.Nichols@senate.texas.gov |
329 Neches St.
Jacksonville, TX 75766 |
Rep. Senfronia Thompson |
Senfronia.Thompson@house.texas.gov |
10527 Homestead Rd.
Houston, TX 77016 |
Sen. Kirk Watson |
Kirk.Watson@senate.texas.gov |
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711 |
Public Member
Emily Pataki |
|
P.O. Box 13066
Austin, TX 78711 |
Public Member
Ronald G. Steinhart |
|
P.O. Box 13066
Austin, TX 78711 |