Title
Discuss the City’s 2025 Legislative Platform.
Body
REQUESTOR:
City Manager’s Office
BACKGROUND:
City staff developed the City’s 2025 Legislative Platform, conveying state legislative policy direction and positions on potential issues delegates may propose within the upcoming 89th Texas State Legislature. As a policy document, the 2025 Legislative Platform guides staff on advocacy direction for the City in response to proposed legislation and in working with local and state agencies.
DISCUSSION:
The City’s 2025 Legislative Platform was developed on three key legislative principles necessary to protect and benefit Farmers Branch:
• Farmers Branch is the closest level of government to its residents and bears primary responsibility for ensuring residents’ health and safety, along with the critical infrastructure supporting such.
• Farmers Branch opposes legislation that erodes its authority to govern or finance its own local affairs.
• Farmers Branch opposes unfunded federal or state mandates.
Utilizing these three principles, the 2025 Legislative Platform allows:
The City to support legislation:
• Advancing the City’s strategic goals and interests;
• Improving the health, safety, and welfare of Farmers Branch residents;
• Allowing the City to sufficiently fund its services and operations; or
• Provides tools and resources to enhance the quality of life of Farmers Branch residents.
The City to oppose legislation:
• Detrimental to the City’s strategic goals or limits local control;
• Contrary to the health, safety, and welfare of Farmers Branch residents;
• Mandating increased costs or results in loss of revenues for our municipality;
• Adversely impacting municipal operations; or
• Diminishing the authority of the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Financial Impact
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Draft Legislative Platform Resolution
2. Presentation