R93-36 10-25-93RESOLUTION NO. R93-36
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE EFFORTS OF THE
NATIONAL Ta~GUE OF CITIES AND THE TEXAS
MUNICIPAL T~GUE ~ INFORM CITIZENS ABOUT THE
IMPACT OF FEDERAL MANDATES ON CITY FINANCES
AND THE BURDENS THEY IMPOSE.
WHEREAS, federal unfunded mandates on city governments
have increased significantly in recent years; and
WHEREAS, federal mandates require cities to perform
duties without consideration of local circumstances or capacity;
and
WHEREAS, federal mandates require compliance regardless
of other pressing local needs and priorities affecting the health,
welfare, and safety of municipal citizens; and
WHEREAS, excessive federal burdens on cities force on
citizens and taxpayers either higher local taxes and fees, reduced
local services, or both; and
WHEREAS, federal mandates are too often inflexible, "one-
size-fits-all" requirements that impose unrealistic time frames and
specify procedures or facilities when less costly alternatives
might be just as effective; and
WHEREAS, existing mandates impose harsh pressures on
local budgets, and the federal government has imposed a freeze upon
funding to help compensate for any new mandates; and
WHEREAS, the cumulative impact of these legislative and
regulatory actions directly affects the citizens of our cities; and
WHEREAS, the National League of Cities (NLC), in
conjunction with other state and local government representatives
and state municipal leagues, including the Texas Municipal League
(TML), has begun a national public education campaign to help
citizens understand and then reduce the burden and inflexibility of
unfunded mandates, beginning with a National Unfunded Mandates Day
on October 27, 1993;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Pearland
endorses the efforts of the National League of Cities and the Texas
Municipal League and supports working with NLC and TML'to fully
inform our citizens about the impact of federal mandates on our
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city finances and the pocketbooks of our citizens; and
BE IT FURT~_~RRESOLVED that the City of Pearland endorses
the events that will begin this process on October 27th; and
BE IT FURTHERRESOLVED that the City of Pearland resolves
to redouble efforts to inform and work with members of our
Congressional delegation to inform them about the impact of federal
mandates and actions necessary to reduce their burdens on our
citizens.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this
~j~ , A.D., 1993.
day of
ATTEST:
Pat Jones,~ty Secretary
torneY
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