Crossposting is encouraged.
March 28, 2011
Texas Action Alert!
Please contact the House County Affairs Committee members below and OPPOSE
HJR 44 and HB 431 pertaining to consolidating city and county governments.
The House County Affairs Committee Public Hearing is scheduled on both House
bills (which are connected) at 10:30 am or upon adjournment Thursday,
March 31, in Room E2.016 at the Capitol:
1) HJR 44 by Larson:
Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow voters of certain counties to
adopt a charter that allows consolidation of county and city governments. A
county with a population of 100,000 or more, or a county that is included in
a federal metropolitan statistical area and that is adjacent to a county
with a population of 100,000 or more.
AND
2) HB 431 by Larson:
Relating to the adoption of a county charter by Bexar County that would
allow consolidation of city and county services in Bexar County.
Today RPOA was informed by Emily Eppright, Rep. Lyle Larson's Legislative
Director, that there is a Committee Substitute for HJR 44 which will only
pertain to Bexar County now. Previously it would have applied to other
counties. Note that both bills now only apply to Bexar County. But RPOA
asks that all Texas animal owners help defeat these two bills. Your county
could be added next session!
Talking Points:
1) Consolidation of county and city governments could result in all city
animal ordinances applying to county residents who own any species of
animal, including farm animals.
2) Many animal owners moved out of San Antonio city limits into Bexar
County to be able to own more animals and be free of the onerous San Antonio
Chapter 5 Animal Ordinance.
3) San Antonio has the most restrictive animal ordinance in the US;
requiring permits and annual fees for ownership of all species of animals,
including livestock and "more than three" feathered friends. Animals are
subject to seizure and impoundment by Animal Care Services for any violation
of the ordinance including licensing.
4) Animal "Rights" Radicals rule in San Antonio. John Bachman with "Voice
for Animals" and Animal Care Services Director Gary Hendel both agreed
during a Focus Group attended by RPOA that they wanted to stop all sales of
dogs and cats in the city limits.
5) Last, but not least, voters demonstrated at the November elections that
they have had enough of useless government bureaucracy and legislation which
has unintended consequences.
Please contact these committee members below and ask them to vote "NO" TO
HB 431 AND HJR 44. Don't Mess With Texas Pets!
Texas House County Affairs Committee
Committee Clerk: Revlynn Lawson
Phone: (512) 463-0760
Room: E2.016
Chairman: Rep. Garnet Coleman
Phone: (512) 463-0524
Fax: (512) 463-1260
garnet.coleman@house.state.tx.usVice Chairman: Rep. Marisa Marquez
Phone: (512) 463-0638
Fax: (512) 463-8908
marisa.marquez@house.state.tx.usRep. Larry Gonzales
Phone: (512) 463-0670
Fax: (512) 463-1469
larry.gonzales@house.state.tx.usRep. Lance Gooden
Phone: (512) 463-0458
Fax: (512) 463-2040
lance.gooden@house.state.tx.usRep. Mike Hamilton
Phone: (512) 463-0412
Fax: (512) 463-1915
mike.hamilton@house.state.tx.usRep. Jim Jackson
Phone: (512) 463-0468
Fax: (512) 463-1044
jim.jackson@house.state.tx.usRep. Ken Paxton
Phone: (512) 463-0356
Fax: (512) 463-0701
ken.paxton@house.state.tx.usRep. Wayne Smith
Phone: (512) 463-0733
Fax: (512) 463-1323
wayne.smith@house.state.tx.usRep. James White
Phone: (512) 463-0490
Fax: (512) 463-9059
james.white@house.state.tx.us
