State Rep. Helen Kerwin briefs Burleson council on 89th Legislature; local tax bill stalled in conference

State Representative Helen Kerwin addressed the Burleson City Council during the citizen-appearance portion of the June 16 meeting, delivering an overview of the recently completed 89th legislative session and handing out a municipal-focused resolution.

Kerwin highlighted enactments she described as wins: cooperation measures on local-federal immigration enforcement, a border-security bill, and legislative steps aimed at shoring up the electric grid. She also outlined priorities in education this session, including teacher-focused provisions in HB3 and changes she said give parents greater oversight of school library materials.

On a Burleson-specific tax request Kerwin told council she had pursued a local tax bill in conference but received a late notice that conferees had ‘‘killed it’’ before final midnight action. Kerwin said she will file a stand-alone Burleson tax bill at the start of the next session and urged constituents to follow up with her office. She also announced a new local constituent office open in "Downtown Cleveland" and offered staff resources for residents.

Kerwin included pointed critiques of other statewide measures, telling the council she opposed what she described as a significant film-industry incentive package and criticized what she called some budget growth; she framed her own focus as protecting local taxpayers and advancing teacher pay and classroom authority.

Council members thanked Kerwin for attending and for the update. The council did not take immediate action on the legislative items beyond receiving the presentation.