ATHENS — With the 83rd Texas Legislature convening in Austin this week, Henderson County Now asked county officials what issues they are watching the closest … and we received the same answer all around.
“I’m concerned about any unfunded mandates the state might pass,” said County Judge Richard Sanders, “that’s always a big concern.”
Wikipedia defines unfunded mandate as “a statute or regulation that requires a state or local government to perform certain actions, with no money provided for fulfilling the requirements.”
As an example, county officials pointed out the spiraling cost of court appointed attorneys, which have cost local taxpayers about $900,000 the past two years.
“Originally, (the state) was going to fund 50 percent,” said Pct. 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin. “Now it is basically just enough so they can say they’re in it.”
Sanders said Austin only paid $32,000 to the county last year for court appointed attorneys.
“That is the model for an unfunded mandate right there,” Sanders said.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney said he is watching for “anytime they push down state duties onto the county, where the county has to provide more services with limited revenue.”
He said, “A lot of those regulatory issues are what we really worry about.”
The Texas Association of Counties general counsel Jim Allen fights for counties in Austin, but he’s about the only one, according to McKinney.
“That’s the organization that lobbies on behalf of the counties,” he said. “Very effective, very able gentleman. Those are the type of issues he watches and keeps us informed of.”
As an example of how the county could be impacted, McKinney pointed out how they almost lost $53,000 in road and bridge money during the last Legislative Session.
“It’s a small amount … but still, that’s $53,000 divided amongst the four precincts that we almost lost.”
The 83rd Regular Session of the Legislature will run through May 27.