Fort Worth Hiring Lobbyists To Fight For City
CBS 11's Joel Thomas Reports:
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Fort Worth is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire lobbyists to go to Austin for the upcoming state legislative session.
Experts predict the state is facing up to a $25-billion shortfall and cities will have to fight to keep their money like never before.
"We're really going into no-man's land," said Fort Worth Council Member Kathleen Hicks about the upcoming session.
A staff briefing sent to Mayor Mike Moncrief states:
"From all indications, the 2011 Texas legislative session will (be) the worst and toughest session for local governments in the history of the Texas Legislature. Due to the increased defensive measures, local governments will spend a great deal of its time and resources maintaining current authority and funding levels."
Legislators will review spending on everything from roads to schools. And many local leaders worry the state will force cities to pick up the costs with higher taxes.
"When you look at all of that, from TXDOT and the ability to do road issues to building new buildings, it affects all of that," said Hicks about the decision to hire lobbyists. "I think it's money well spent."
Many local voters understand why the city doesn't want to see unfunded mandates handed down from Austin.
"You've got hard working people who don't want somebody telling them from a higher power, 'Hey, this is what you're going to have to do now,'" said Fort Worth resident Marie Rosa.
"Everyone has their pots of money and what they need to do and what they need to pay and everyone needs to be responsible for own bills and so forth," said Cortrilla Proctor, a Fort Worth voter.
The Fort Worth City Council will review and vote on a list of priorities for the upcoming Legislative Session in coming weeks.
