1999-032-OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 1614 AND SENATE BILL 653
RESOLUTION NO. 99-032
WHEREAS, House Bill 1614 and Senate Bill 653 have been filed in the Texas Legislature;
and,
WHEREAS, the bills provide that city-owned property will be managed by a statewide
uniform franchise; and,
WHEREAS, the statewide uniform franchise would be adopted by ten (10) non-elected
people appointed by a non-elected board of the state; and,
WHEREAS, the bills, in effect, create a subsidy by allowing the rent-free use of public
land by for-profit companies; and,
WHEREAS, the bills would require Texas taxpayers to provide financial support for
national and international telecommunications companies through free use of public land; and,
WHEREAS, since the bills would reduce the rent paid for use of public land, they would
result in an increase of taxes for Texas citizens; and,
WHEREAS, competition in the area of telecommunications has not come to the average
Texas citizen, nor is there any indication it will soon or that it would come as a result of these
bills; and,
WHEREAS, local control of local property should be at the local level; and,
WHEREAS, the bills serve to benefit national and international telecommunications
companies at the expense of Texas citizens; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS:
1. That the City of Paris urges the Texas Legislature to oppose H.B. 1614 and S.B. 653.
2. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED, this 25th day of March, 1999.
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Charles H. Neeley, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Mattie Cunningham, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Scott P. Foster, City Attorney