RE 2021-0223.2 Community AdvocacyRESOLUTION NO. 2021-0223.2
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COPPELL,
TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY ADVOCACY IN FAVOR OF
PUBLIC POLICIES THAT BOLSTER AND PROTECT UNIQUE LOCAL
PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
WHEREAS, local elected officials, educational institutions, and business leaders have
pooled their knowledge, skills, and resources to attract and provide economic opportunity that
benefits all Texans; and
WHEREAS, as the governor has often said during the pandemic, Texas is not a "one size
fits all" state, and the unique attributes of each locality and region inform sound public policy
that sustains job growth, enhances educational opportunity, and provides abetter quality of life
for local communities; and
WHEREAS, some state elected officials have proposed legislation like SB 234 and HB
749 which would eliminate the right to hire professional lobbyists, stifling the ability of local
government and school leaders to be represented and heard when lawmakers in Austin debate
public policies that impact local communities; and
WHEREAS, local businesses and community leaders are often unable to spend endless
days and nights at the Capitol when the Legislature meets because they have important daily
obligations to their constituents and taxpayers back home; and
WHEREAS, if enacted, this legislation would set a dangerous precedent by allowing every
other stakeholder in the legislative process to hire professional lobbyists while denying the
same right to local elected officials and community leaders; and
WHEREAS, experienced professional lobbyists are able to monitor policy proposals for
local government leaders and make sure that our voices are heard in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, professional lobbyists can help produce better public policy outcomes for
local community interests, leveling the playing field for community priorities, including job
creation and unique quality of life; and
WHEREAS, accountability for the expenditure of local public funds for such efforts is
properly provided by local taxpayers and voters at the ballot box, not by legislation designed
to restrict and silence the voices of local elected and community leaders.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF COPPELL, TEXAS opposes any legislative attempt to limit or prohibit the authority of
Coppell to use public funds to communicate with legislators and state agencies, including any
restrictions that would prohibit the use of public funds to pay membership dues to
organizations that hire lobbyists.
DULY PASSED and approved by the City Council of the City of Coppell, Texas, on
this the 23`d day of February 2021.
, MAYOR
RM: ATTEST:
i
WN
2