NO. 101- (NOT A CITY RESOLUTION) Northeast Partnership
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RESOLUTION NO, 101
A RESOLUTION OFTHE NORTHEAST P ARTNE~HTP OPPOSING ANY
SCHOOL FINAt"lCE OR T A..X SYSTEM REFORMS THAT \"OULD
NEGATIVELY AFFECT CITY REV"E~'UES At'\TD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EFFORTS
\VHEREAS, it is likely that the Texas Legislature will address school finance and tax
system reforms in the near future; and
\"HEREAS, during theses deliberations by the Texas Legislature, proposals to limit the
ability of cities to collect property taxes and sales taxes are likely to be offered by some
members of the Legislature; and
\VHEREAS, additional restrictions on city ta.xes fly in the face of a history of frugal tax
administration by Texas cities; and
WHEREAS, aU Texas cities combined collect only 15.3 percent of all property taxes
collected in the State of Texas, while schools collect more than 60 percent; and
\VHEREAS, between 1985 and 2002, the municipal share of aU property tax revenue fell
from 20.3 percent to 15.3 percent; and
\VHEREAS, Texa.<; cities rely on tax revenue to build basic infrastructure, to ensure public
safety through police and fire departments, and to provide numerous essential services for
city residents. who are 80 percent of the state's population; and
WHEREAS, Texas cities engage in numerous economic development activities that
produce jobs and revenue for the entire State of Texas; and
\VHEREAS, cities must meet the challenges of homeland security and compliance \vith
state and federal mandates, many of which are unfunded mandates: and
WHEREAS, Texas cities have shown over the years that they are fiscally responsible and
good stewards of taxpayers' money; and
WHEREAS, efforts to limit the ability of cities to collect sales and property tax revenues
or to set tax rates would have severe negative impacts on city services, city employees.
economic development efforts, and ultimately the citizens of the State of Texas;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOL YED BY THE UNDERSIGNED MEMBERSHIP
OF THE NORTHEAST PARTNERSHIP that the Northeast Partnership opposes all
school finance or tax refonn efforts by the Texas Legislature that negatively impact the
ability of Cities to provide basic essential services, conduct economic development
activities, and ensure public safety by limiting our ability, beyond the provisions of current
law, to coHeet property tax or sales tax revenues.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this rfflt day of 4, " ( , 2004.
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Charles Ruppert
Mayor, City of Cibolo
Becken~
Ity of Universal City
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Mayor. City of Converse
Hal Baldwin
Mayor, City of Schertz
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