Rep. Hugh Shine (R-Temple) filed HJR 32, a proposed constitutional amendment restricting the power of the Legislature to mandate requirements on cities and counties.
"The bill would prohibit the Legislature from imposing any future state-mandated property tax increases," said Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller, president of the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas (CJCAT). "This kind of taxpayer protection would allow counties of all sizes to better budget and plan by eliminating many of the costly and unexpected expenses arising from new legislation. We often see state officials asking Washington not to impose mandates and to maintain local control. We are simply asking our state leaders to extend the same courtesy to county taxpayers."
Judge Zeller and the CJCAT are asking all county officials to reach out to their house members and encourage them to sign on as a cosponsor to HJR 32. "We hope to have over 100 cosponsors like we did a few years ago."