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Item No. 17 TO: City Council John Godwin, City Manager FROM: Janice Ellis, City Clerk SUBJECT: "OUR HOME, OUR DECISIONS" DATE: October 8, 2018 BACKGROUND: In an effort to oppose legislative interference with local control, finances, and service provision, we feel it is important to advocate the Texas Municipal League's "Our Home, Our Decisions" Campaign. STATUS OF ISSUE: This campaign is a result of the last legislative session and the growing threat to local control, including attacks on annexation, restrictions on local authority, and proposed revenue caps for cities. Such a revenue cap could have a significant on cities, including Pairs, and that would mean reduced services for our citizens. Over 1,800 bills having to do with Texas cities were proposed last legislative session, and this is just one of them. Experts anticipate that number to increase in the next session, which will begin in January 2019. The best decisions are made at the city level by mayors and council members, because the local governing body is closest to the people and understands more than state government what the residents of Paris need and want. BUDGET: Minimal costs, if any. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize letters in support of Our Home, Our Decisions to State Senator Bryan Hughes and State Representative Gary VanDeaver and opposing bills that would take away the city's authority to make decisions at a local level, and authorize interested council members to advocate with local civic groups.