The Texas Association of Counties 2019 Legislative Conference, Sept. 4-6 in Austin, will offer county officials and staff an overview of the 86th legislative session. Take full advantage of three days of keynotes, breakout sessions, roundtables and networking opportunities. It's a can't miss chance to connect with county officials from every office, legislators, and other experts about important policy issues and how they affect county government and Texans.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: EVAN SMITH
Evan Smith IS the CEO and co-founder of The Texas Tribune, a pioneering nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news organization. Deep coverage of Texas politics and public policy can be found at its website, www.texastribune.org, in newspapers, TV and radio stations across the state, and in the print and online editions of the Washington Post. Evan is also the host of "Overheard with Evan Smith," a weekly half-hour interview program that airs on PBS stations around the country.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4
The opening general session will "Focus on the Future," featuring panel discussions with both legislators and county officials. Keynote speaker Evan Smith will moderate a legislative panel discussing rebuilding the relationship between the state legislature and counties. TAC General Counsel and Director of Legal and Legislative Services Garry Merritt will then moderate a panel of county officials discussing the same issue.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
Breakout sessions throughout the day will offer ample opportunities to learn more and discuss issues relevant to you, your county and constituents.
- Federal Update: The Outlook for Counties
- Behavioral Health Funding: The New Role for Counties
- Revamping and Reinventing Disaster Response
- Texas Court Structure: Creating More Effective and Efficient Courts
- Texas’ Priorities: Are You One of Them? Understanding the Texas State Budget
- Criminal Justice Reforms: A Look Back and a Look Ahead
- 2020 Census and Redistricting
- When the Rain Comes: Flood Planning and Mitigation
- Future of Voting in Texas
- Transparency in Your Taxes: Keeping the Public Informed
Visit www.county.org/legconference for complete breakout session overviews.
Also, at various times throughout the day, the TAC CommCube will offer Media Relations 101: Tips of the Trade in three different 20-minute modules. Each module will be presented by strategic communications and media specialist Leslie Rhode.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
The closing general session will focus on “Living Under The Cap,” featuring a panel discussion of county officials. Moderated by TAC Senior Legislative Manager Rick Thompson, they will discuss the effects of Senate Bill 2 on county budgets and the process to set the county tax rate.For the complete conference agenda, hotel information, and conference registration, visit www.county.org/legconference. Note: Our host hotel, the Fairmont, is FULL. An overview hotel, Homewood Suites, has been secured a short walk from the conference. Details are online.