Dozens of Wise County leaders stand with Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) at the Texas State Capitol during the 88th Texas Legislative session this week. TEXAS HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY Dozens of Wise County leaders descended on the Texas State Capitol this week, working to communicate local priorities as lawmakers convene at the 88th Texas Legislative session. The concerted effort
Dozens of Wise County leaders stand with Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) at the Texas State Capitol during the 88th Texas Legislative session this week. TEXAS HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
Dozens of Wise County leaders descended on the Texas State Capitol this week, working to communicate local priorities as lawmakers convene at the 88th Texas Legislative session.
The concerted effort featured area superintendents, city officials, county representatives and business leaders who worked to influence a legislature that has increasingly passed laws directly impacting the community and county level.
The message centered around Wise County’s growth, with the priorities of preserving local control, expanding city flexibility to fund local transportation projects, boosting funding for water/wastewater and prioritizing broadband infrastructure. With Tax Code Chapter 313 expiring in 2022, the group also focused on restoring economic development incentives. Other legislative priorities included providing safeguards and expanding city input on the municipal development districts/public improvement districts process, fortifying the state’s electric grid and providing additional tools for municipally-owned electric utilities.
It was a different approach for Wise County. Typically, a delegation will attend the legislative session, but this year’s legislative session brought a more broad and organized effort to communicate specific priorities as one voice.
“With all the visits and contacts that our Wise County group made over the past couple of days, the majority of legislators’ offices knew that Wise County was in the building,” said Wise County Judge J.D. Clark. “We were making the rounds. That’s a good look for our county that we’re engaged and that we show up and we’re paying attention.”
Decatur ISD superintendent Chad Jones meets with Rep. Lynn Stucky at his office in the capitol Tuesday. WCMESSENGER/AUSTIN JACKSON
As part of the turnout, Wise County residents, including members of Decatur, Bridgeport and Wise County chambers, descended on the capitol Monday and Tuesday.
This session also served as the first under new representation for the county under House District 64 Rep. Lynn Stucky (R-Sanger) and District 12 Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound). Stucky and Parker attended functions Monday and Tuesday, with Stucky acknownledging the contingent of Wise County residents on the House Floor with House Resolution 144, recognizing Wise County Day at the State Capitol.
“Your advocacy matters tremendously,” Parker said. “It’s not just about Dr. Stucky and myself, who will always have your back and protect the county, but it really helps raise the profile of this tremendous county.”
Parker is sitting on committee assignments that focus on higher ed/K-12 education, transportation, veterans affairs (vice chair), tax policy and senate administration. Parker mentioned a pair of bills he is championing, SB 5, a business tax relief package, and SB 1541, a bill that would remove the tax portion being included in credit card fees. According to the Texas Restaurant Association, the swipe fee fairness legislation would save Texas businesses $587 million annually without creating new costs for the government or Texas consumers. Stucky’s committee assignments include appropriations, county affairs (vice chair) and resolutions calendars.
With the Friday deadline approaching, the two have filed multiple bills with state and local impacts. The proposed legislation includes House Bill 1034, filed by Stucky, which would give Wise County the authority to enact its own hotel occupancy tax. The HOT fund would be used to advertise Wise County events and hotels, preservation of other historic sites around the county, promote heritage tourism, critical improvements and expansion of the Wise County Fairgrounds and historic downtown areas. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee last week. Stucky has also filed HB 1906, dubbed “Athena’s Law,” which would give judges the authority to delay the release of those accused of sexual assault or serious injuries on children. Last week, he filed a bill that would name a portion of U.S. 380 to honor members of the Lost Battalion.
The 2023 Legislative Session began Jan. 10 and runs through May 29.