Bill could impact cities’ representation
As the Texas Legislature starts its biennial session, lawmakers will be voting hundreds of bills, and so far, state senator Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) has authored or is listed as a primary author on two bills, one targeting taxpayer-funded lobbying and another the distribution of early voting ballot applications.
TAXPAYER-FUNDED LOBBYING
Hall filed senate bill 234 in early December 2020, one day after state representative Mayes filed HB 749 with the same language. SB 234 calls for restrictions on the use of taxpayer funds by “political subdivisions,” like cities or counties, on hiring lobbyists or paying a state association that employes lobbyists.
“Governmental entities and non-profit organizations currently funded with public taxpayer dollars are using those dollars to hire lobbyists to advocate against Texas Legislature bills intended to protect taxpayers,” Hall said in a December statement. “Nothing in the bill would prevent local governments from hiring an individual or organization to monitor legislation in the interest of keeping local officials educated and informed.”
Hall furthered argued local officials should communicate directly with their state representatives and senators and said the bill “encourages and enhances direct participation between officials at the local and state levels.” A bill authored by Hall in the 2019 legislative session passed the Senate but died in the House.
The Texas Municipal League countered in a letter that “restricting community advocacy represents a limited view of public discourse and policymaking, not to mention a potentially dangerous understanding of the constitutional guarantees afforded to all citizens.”
TML further argued the bill’s passage would “permanently fracture the relationship between state and local government.” TML represents 1,160 cities across Texas, 68% of which have a population of 5,000 or less. Sulphur Springs, Tira and Como are listed as members.
The Senate State Affairs Committee held a December hearing regarding the bill. In the hearing, mayor Ron Jensen of Grand Prairie testified he would have to hire additional positions to navigate the legislative process without the help of the TML. Collin County Judge Chris Hill testified the ultimate responsibility of advocating for constituents falls to local officials, not to hired lobbyists.
EARLY VOTING BALLOTS
Hall along with senators Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), Brian Birdwell (R-Waco), Brandon Creighton (R-Beaumont) and Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) filed a bill in mid-November after the general election to prohibit officers or employees of the state or any political subdivision from distributing an application form for an early voting ballot.
“Sending two million plus ballot applications to all registered voters would have certainly caused more voter confusion as 95% of these recipients would not have qualified for an absentee ballot under the Texas Election Law in the first place,” Bettercourt said in a statement.
This comes as a reaction to former Harris County Clark Chris Hollins’ attempt to mail an application to all registered voters in Harris County. Hollins argued eligibility for an early voting ballot was made clear on the mailers. The Texas Supreme Court struck it down in October, stating he was overstepping his authority by proactively sending them.
“It is disappointing that the Court has sided with political forces seeking to limit voter access this November,” Hollins said in a statement after the decision. “Placing limitations on non-partisan outreach that educates citizens about their Constitutional right to vote should not be acceptable in a democracy."