TAC’s Legislative staff traveled to the heart of Central Texas last Wednesday for a Legislative Exchange with county elected officials and department staff from five counties.
Bell County Judge Jon H. Burrows welcomed attendees to the Bell County Expo Center and invited them to stop by the equestrian and livestock facility under construction adjacent to the exposition building. The new air-conditioned facility which boasts a 150’ by 300’ performance surface, a vendors’ concourse, and seating for 800 patrons, will be able to host larger, longer national level shows and events.
During the exchange, county officials shared their concerns about a wide range of issues, including:
- Indigent health mandates
- Jail standards regulations
- 100 percent disabled veteran property tax exemptions
- Repercussions from SB 1326, also known as the Sandra Bland Act
- Mental health and the decrease in state facility beds
- re:SearchTX and its potential liability exposure for county clerks
- The Legislature’s failure to appropriate dedicated funds
TAC Senior Legislative Manager Rick Thompson encouraged officials to collect the data and documentation to support their concerns and then to meet with their legislators well before session begins in January. One of the commissioners in attendance shared that he was planning to invite state representatives to tour the county jail and view the book-in process firsthand.
Core Legislative Group Coordinator Rhita Koches encouraged officials to become proactive participants in the legislative process by joining the CLG. County officials can visit the website to learn more.
Bell County Legislative Exchange
Oct. 3, 2018
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(Left) Rick Thompson, Texas Association of Counties, Senior Legislative Manager
(Right) Bell County Judge Jon Burrows |