Legislative Services

With the 90th Texas Legislature less than three months away, the Texas Association of Counties’ Legislative Services department hosted a County Issues Lunch & Learn on Oct. 20 at the Capitol, bringing together about two dozen legislative staffers to discuss property taxes, county budget pressures and resources available through TAC.

Menard County Judge Brandon Corbin was on hand to talk about the financial pressures counties face when carrying out state mandates. He called for meaningful property tax relief that accounts for the costs counties incur to fulfill those duties.

“Counties are the action arm of the state government, and we carry out many state-required responsibilities,” Corbin wrote on his Facebook page after the event. “When state funding falls short, local property taxpayers shoulder the cost.”

Brazoria County Tax Assessor-Collector Kristin Bulanek also attended. She explained the property tax process, walking staffers through how taxes are appraised, calculated and collected. Bulanek serves on the board of directors of the Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas.

Through events like the Lunch & Learn, TAC helps bridge the gap between county government and the Legislature, helping ensure lawmakers have access to the county-level perspective as they consider legislation affecting local communities.

The next legislative session begins Jan. 12.