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<br />3.
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<br />A RESOLUTION
<br />OPPOSING ANY SCHOOL FINANCE OR TAX SYSTEM REFORMS TIIAT WOULD
<br />NEGATIVELY AFFECT CITY REVENUES AND
<br />ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
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<br />WHEREAS, it is likely that the Texas Legislature will address school finance and tax system
<br />reforms in the near future; and
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<br />WHEREAS, during these deliberations by the Texas Legislature, proposals to limit the ability of
<br />cities to collect property taxes and sales taxes are likely to be offered by some members of the
<br />Legislature; and
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<br />WHEREAS, additional restrictions on city taxes fly in the face of a history of frugal tax
<br />administration by Texas cities; and
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<br />WHEREAS, all Texas cities combined collect only 15.3 percent ofall property taxes collected in
<br />the State of Texas, while schools collect more than 60 percent; and
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<br />WHEREAS, between 1985 and 2002, the municipal share of all property tax revenue fell from
<br />20.3 percent to 15.3 percent; and
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<br />WHEREAS, Texas cities rely on tax revenue to build basic infrastructure, to ensure public safety
<br />through police and fire deparbnents, and to provide numerous essential services for city
<br />residents, who are 80 percent of the state's population; and
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<br />WHEREAS, Texas cities engage in numerous economic development activities that produce jobs
<br />and revenue for the entire State of Texas; and
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<br />WHEREAS, cities must meet the challenges ofhomelarid security and compliance with state and
<br />federal mandates, many of which are unfunded mandates; and
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<br />WHEREAS, Texas cities have shown over the years that they are fiscally responsible and good
<br />stewards of taxpayers' money; and
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<br />WHEREAS, efforts to limit th~ ability of ~ities to collect sales and property tax revenues or to
<br />set tax rates would have sev~ negative iuipacts on city services, city employees, economic
<br />development efforts, and u1timatel:r the ci~o~the state of Texas;
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<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE q ~SOL YED, by the 'delegates assembled at this 2004 Annual
<br />Conference of the TexasMUi1icipal:'~ ~,th~ League oppose all school ~ce or tax
<br />reform efforts by the T~ Legis~ ,~.~01ild ~~gatively' impact the ability of cities to
<br />provide basic essential services;,:. ~~~~',:;~~oUiic devel~pnent activities, and ensure public
<br />safety by limiting their abilitY,- beYori~',tf.1~:.'pro~sions 'of current law, to collect property tax or
<br />sales tax revenues. ' --" '",. .
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