By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-789317.mp3
Dallas, TX – The city of Dallas is gearing up for the 2009 Legislative Session, with a list of 39 priorities for state lawmakers. KERA's BJ Austin reports.
The Legislative Agenda for the city of Dallas was approved this week. Councilmember Vonciel Jones Hill says a top item is protection of the city's water rights and reservoirs. She says they are on guard against a possible grab by other, drier parts of the state.
Hill: People who do not live in North Texas do not have a good feel for what's happening in North Texas, The increase in our population that is surely coming; and may not necessarily have a good feel for the significant, good planning that Dallas and the North Texas region has done and continues to do.
Councilmember Hill says transportation, specifically new financing methods for regional rail, is also a top priority. Other legislative priorities are wide-ranging, including public disclosure of commercial property sales prices for more accurate appraisals and incentives to cut down on the use of plastic shopping bags.