|
Title: RPOA - TX Action Alert: Committee Hearing HB 431 & HJR 44 Post by: jls41 on March 29, 2011, 08:14:46 am 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.us Vice Chairman: Rep. Marisa Marquez Phone: (512) 463-0638 Fax: (512) 463-8908 marisa.marquez@house.state.tx.us Rep. Larry Gonzales Phone: (512) 463-0670 Fax: (512) 463-1469 larry.gonzales@house.state.tx.us Rep. Lance Gooden Phone: (512) 463-0458 Fax: (512) 463-2040 lance.gooden@house.state.tx.us Rep. Mike Hamilton Phone: (512) 463-0412 Fax: (512) 463-1915 mike.hamilton@house.state.tx.us Rep. Jim Jackson Phone: (512) 463-0468 Fax: (512) 463-1044 jim.jackson@house.state.tx.us Rep. Ken Paxton Phone: (512) 463-0356 Fax: (512) 463-0701 ken.paxton@house.state.tx.us Rep. Wayne Smith Phone: (512) 463-0733 Fax: (512) 463-1323 wayne.smith@house.state.tx.us Rep. James White Phone: (512) 463-0490 Fax: (512) 463-9059 james.white@house.state.tx.us Title: Re: RPOA - TX Action Alert: Committee Hearing HB 431 & HJR 44 Post by: uglydog on March 30, 2011, 06:41:23 am That Really blows, people move away from the city to get away from some restrictions and now the counties want to adopt the same charter of laws, HOW THE HECK do they THINK THEY CAN ENFORCE ALL THESE LAWS ????
|