February 2019

Tarrant County: Our North Home 86th Texas Legislative Session Tarrant County Legislative Priorities Local governments strive to pro- Mental Health vide the best services possible to Improvements in mental health services continue to be their citizens. With the start of the a major priority for Tarrant County and the nation as a 86th , it is espe- whole. Tarrant County supports mental healthcare pro- Tarrant County Judge cially important for local govern- B. Glen Whitley grams which enhance crisis response and diversion op- ments to keep a close eye on poten- tions, funding for crisis centers, jail diversion programs tial legislation which could have a positive or negative and expansion of mental health programs in schools. impact on the citizens they serve. During a recent meeting, your Tarrant County Com- Appraisal Reform missioners approved our legislative priorities for the Tied to property tax relief is appraisal reform. Some of 86th Legislative Session. Here are the issues we will be these reforms include overhauls in the appraisal review watching closely and working together with state law- process and providing more transparency and real time makers to come up with solutions which are in every- information to tax payers regarding their proposed prop- one’s best interest. erty values. Creating specialty appeals panels for certain Property Taxes properties could improve the current system. Another consideration might be changing the method of selecting The Governor has declared this as an emergency item members of the Appraisal Board. for the legislative session. However, solutions state law- makers are considering could negatively impact cities, What can you do? counties, and our school districts. The lowering of the Talk to your legislators! Let them know you would revenue cap could affect our ability to provide essential like the state to be a 50/50 partner with you in public services such as keeping important records, building education, respect our representative democracy and roads, maintaining the courts and jails and many other allow local elected officials to make quality of life deci- services essential to our citizens. sions, such as police, fire, roads and seniors, and support A related priority for the state is to evaluate school reforms in both mental health and property appraisal. funding. School finance reform done right is property I continue to look forward to working with you and the tax relief. The state should return to paying their half of state to help Tarrant County continue to be a great place the partnership between local property taxpayers and the to live, work and raise our families. state. As we await the filing of this bill, everyone should reach out and let their representatives know they want the state to be an equal partner in the funding of our public education system. Online Tools To Keep Up With Unfunded Mandates The 86th Texas Legislature Unfunded or underfunded mandates are those pro- Texas Legislature Online http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ grams which the legislature has told local government to implement but they forgot to send the check along to pay Legislative Reference Library for them. Some examples include indigent defense and www.lrl.state.tx.us/ state prisoners held in county jails awaiting pickup. https://legiscan.com/TX

February 2019 County News Update Volume 2 No. 1

In Remembrance The Honorable Dionne Phillips Bagsby In January, Tarrant County lost a prominent leader and sub-courthouse is named in trailblazer in our community. Dionne Phillips Bagsby was her honor. Upon her retire- elected as Tarrant County Commissioner for Precinct 1 in ment the 79th Texas Legisla- 1989. As the first woman and first minority member of the ture honored her with a reso- Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Commissioner lution recognizing her dedi- Bagsby’s commitment to the lives of the citizens was her cation to the community passion. She worked tirelessly as an advocate for women having served with integrity and children and improving the lives for all people in need. and excellence. Other One of her first priorities was creating new policies to awards and recognitions for include women and minorities in the appointments to coun- her service to the community ty boards. This lead to Erma Johnson Hadley to serve as are too numerous to list. Chair of the JPS Hospital Board of Managers. Most recently, Commission- She was instrumental improving the quality and access to er Bagsby was awarded the healthcare. Some of her many accomplishments include a Legacy Award from the Fort

county-wide immunization program and obtaining grant Worth Chamber of Com- Judge Whitley with Commissioner dollars for the benefit of services for women. The Presby- merce in recognition of her Bagsby at the precinct one sub- terian Night Shelter women’s building, YWCA, Circle T 45 years of service to the courthouse rededication in her honor. Girl Scout Council, the Women’s Center, and women’s community. shelters are all the result of her leadership and advocacy. I Commissioner Bagsby always encouraged citizens and was proud to work with her on the creation of the Tarrant leaders to serve their community saying “there is always County Youth Recovery Campus. work to be done.” She often quoted Luke 12:48 “From After retiring as County Commissioner, Dionne continued everyone to whom much has been given, much will be re- her commitment to the community by serving on numerous quired.” boards such as United Way of Tarrant County, Jubilee The- Commissioner Dionne Phillips Bagsby will truly be atre, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber Young Lead- missed but always remembered for her lifelong dedication ership Development Program and many, many more. to the community and her ability to bring people together Commissioner Bagsby retired in 2005. The precinct one for the good of the community. Tarrant County Legislative Delegation Texas House District 90 Representative: Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth ……… [email protected] .……... 512-463-0740 District 91 Representative: Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth ……… [email protected] …….... 512-463-0599 District 92 Representative: Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford ……... [email protected] …... 512-463-0522 District 93 Representative: Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth ………….. [email protected] ………….. 512-463-0562 District 94 Representative: Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington ………... [email protected] ……… 512-463-0624 District 95 Representative: Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth ………… [email protected] ...……..... 512-463-0716 District 96 Representative: Bill Zedler, R-Arlington ………………. [email protected] …………….. 512-463-0374 District 97 Representative: Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth ………. [email protected] .…….... 512-463-0608 District 98 Representative: Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake ... [email protected] ... 512-463-0690 District 99 Representative: Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth ………... [email protected] ……….... 512-463-0610 District 101 Representative: Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie …….. [email protected] .…………. 512-463-0574 District 9 Senator: , R-North Richland Hills ………. [email protected] ……….. 512-463-0109 District 10 Senator: Beverly Powell, D-Fort Worth ……………….. [email protected] ...…… 512-463-0110 District 12 Senator: , R-Flower Mound ……………… [email protected] .………... 512-463-0112 District 22 Senator: , R-Granbury ………………….. [email protected] ……….. 512-463-0122

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