Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Anna council adopts 2025 legislative agenda to guide Austin and federal advocacy
Summary
Council adopted a legislative agenda to guide city advocacy at the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress, prioritizing local control, public safety funding, infrastructure funding and opposition to measures that transfer costs to cities or constrain local land‑use authority.
The City Council of the City of Anna adopted a legislative agenda April 22 to guide staff and the city’s representatives during the remainder of the 89th Texas legislative session, any special sessions and the federal 119th Congress.
City Manager Taylor Law presented the agenda, which the staff framed around four guiding principles: preserve local authority, enhance public safety, invest in infrastructure (transportation, water and sewer) and promote economic development. The agenda item included examples of bills the city would support (cited in the meeting as HB 1028, SB 1508 for notice flexibility; HB 2217, SB 1788 for law‑enforcement grants; and bills addressing water funding) and examples the city would oppose, including bills the staff said would mandate tiny lot sizes, permit accessory dwelling units without local infrastructure consideration, or transfer telecom relocation costs to cities.
Law told council the city historically had not adopted a formal legislative priority package; staff recommended adopting this agenda to give clearer direction for state and federal conversations after the delegation visit to Austin earlier in the month. Council members who traveled to Austin said the visit clarified how state action can unintentionally limit local authority and that proactive communication with lawmakers can highlight the city’s needs.
Councilwoman Herndon moved approval; Councilman Totten seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Staff said the agenda will guide communications with the Anna delegation in Austin and with federal representatives and that staff will use the agenda during the interim and any special sessions.
The resolution includes opposition to proposals such as the elimination of tax-exempt municipal bonds at the federal level and state bills staff said would shift infrastructure costs to cities. The staff memo and a more detailed list of bills were distributed to council members ahead of the vote.
