Dallas County commissioners Tuesday agreed on 10 priorities to support during the state’s next law-making session.
Property flat-dollar homestead exemptions, quality child care, juvenile board members and keeping uninvited housing finance corporations out of Dallas County are among efforts county leaders want to champion during the 89th Texas Legislature.
Commissioner John Wiley Price said more conversations are needed about changing the juvenile board composition.
"Dallas County is unique from other juvenile departments across the state," he said. "That was a special dispensation to create this. If we're not careful, will default and be like every other juvenile department."
Dallas County also wants counties to have the option to offer residents a flat-dollar homestead exemption. They also want to be able to destroy media devices containing sensitive information instead of auctioning them.
Other legislative proposals on the list are Veterans Service Officer reporting to a commissioners court designee, deferred compensation programs opt-out, allowing counsel during magistrate appearances and letting commissioned peace officers to respond to and provide behavioral or mental health services.
Position statements are approved at county legislative briefings and get catalogued into Dallas County’s Policy Platform. Dallas County recommends proposals in the Legislative Agenda for statute changes that make county government better for constituents.
The legislative session begins Jan. 14 in Austin.
County legislative briefings are open to the public and will be held at 11 a.m. on various Fridays through May.
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