HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 12-40 Legislative Agenda Guidelines for 83rd Session TOWN OF WESTLAKE
RESOLUTION NO. 12-40
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE,
TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA GUIDELINES AND
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT RELATIVE TO THE 83PD LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
WHEREAS, the Town of Westlake desires to promote a broad legislative platform for
the coming $3`d Legislative Session; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council desires to provide staff with guidelines through which to
monitor legislation favorable to the Town of Westlake; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council opposes any legislation that reduces local control or
compromises our ability to govern our local municipality; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council further supports expanded funding efforts for public
education; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best
interest of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN
OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS;
SECTION L All matters stated in the Recitals above are found to be true and correct
and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety.
SECTION 2. The Town Council of the Town of Westlake hereby approves the proposed
legislative agenda guidelines shown as Exhibit "A",
SECTION 3: if any portion of this Resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid
by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions
hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the
invalid provision.
Resolution 12-40
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SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 10T'-' DAY OF DECEMBER, 2012.
lza4g�' IaZ4't
Laura eat, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kelly dwards own Secretary Tom Bryme own Manager
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, n tt ey
Resolution 1240
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Exhibit "A" — 2012 Legislative Agenda for the Town of Westlake
Municipal Services
As local government is also a major component of the 'engine' that drives economic
development in Texas, we support the passage of a resolution and an agenda, which
encourages our State legislative delegation to preserve and enhance our cities' critical
role in providing for robust economic growth by:
• Strengthening cities' ability to deliver high quality basic services, as well as incent
job growth by preserving local revenue sources, including sales tax and ad
valorem tax income streams.
• General opposition to any measure which reduces local governmental authority
and control over the municipality.
• Preserving land acquisition abilities for cities so they can deliver essential
services.
• Building a competitive 21 st century work force to continue to fuel Texas'
economic development performance by restoring and enhancing public
education funding.
• Maintaining cities' ability to plan their communities in an orderly, thoughtful
fashion as well as invest in infrastructure and provide essential services.
Educational Services
The Town of Westlake through our ownership of Westlake Academy is a supporting
member of the Texas Charter School Association's (TCSA) lawsuit to expand funding
opportunities for our students in charter schools. As such, we support any Legislation
that proposes that charter schools should receive equal funding to that of traditional
public schools and that they also be eligible for similar adjustments and financially
beneficial opportunities. Below are general statements from the TCSA and supporting
charter school agencies, to include in a platform of legislative support for Westlake
Academy:
• All public schools in the State should be better funded
• The Legislature should consider the long term consequences of underfunding
public education and its effect on communities and business; as well as the
future development of our workforce population. The linkage between a strong
local economy and workforce development is integral to our future.
• Support any legislation that lifts or extends the current cap on open-enrollment
charters to meet the growing demand for high quality charter school education.
■ Start-up and expansion funding should be equally available for charter
schools as for traditional public schools.
• Support legislation that advocates performance measuring systems for all public
schools according to the appropriate circumstances, For instance:
■ Must directly match the school's mission and values.
■ Must take into account the population being evaluated.
■ Consider the prospect of a value added measure to more accurately measure
student learning gains over time.
Resolution 12-40
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