CC Resolution No. 1186 2294
RESOLUTION NO. 1186
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, SUPPORTING RELIEF FROM UNFUNDED MANDATES BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE
THEREOF.
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WHEREAS, the increase in unfunded federal mandates to cities
is having a profound adverse financial impact on American cities;
and
WHEREAS, the underlying foundation of federalism is a working
partnership between the federal, state, and local levels of
government; and
WHEREAS, such partnership implicitly and explicitly conforms
to a notion of shared responsibility and accountability; and
WHEREAS, the current practice of unfunded federal mandates
results in neither shared responsibility nor accountability; and
WHEREAS, unfunded state mandates on local governments
constitutes a similar breach of the underlying principles of
federalism and partnership; and
WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors has documented
the increasing importance of unfunded mandates on city budgets in
previous surveys; and
WHEREAS, citizen awareness of the devastating effect of
unfunded mandates on local governments and therefore their own
lives is extremely low; and
WHEREAS, increased citizen awareness is absolutely necessary
to effect positive change on this issue; and
WHEREAS, effective mandate relief legislation must incorporate
not only a statement of costs on state and local governments, known
as fiscal notes, but must also contain stipulations that unless the
federal government includes funding for mandated programs they
should not be valid; and
WHEREAS, risk assessment is a crucial and fundamental
component to any cost-benefit analysis of mandates and should be
included in all pending legislation which will mandate programs on
state and local governments; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Baytown call
on Congress and the President to oppose any regulation, policy
proposal, or legislative bill which mandates programs and
responsibilities on state and local governments without full
federal funding.
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Section 2 : That the City Council of the City of Baytown call
on Congress and the President to perform risk assessment and
cost-benefit analyses on all legislation which requires mandates on
state and local governments.
Section 3 : That the City Council of the City of Baytown
supports a "National Unfunded Mandate Day" on October 27, 1993 ,
during which Mayors of all cities conduct simultaneous press
conferences in their City Halls on that day to draw attention and
heighten awareness to the tremendous cost such mandates impose upon
city residents.
Section 4: This resolution shall take effect immediately from
and after its passage by the City Council of the City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED, READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote of the
City Council of the City of Baytown, this the 26th day of August,
1993 .
PETE C. AL FARO, Mayor
APPROVED BY:
EVA BENAVIDES, District 1 ROL AND J TT, District 2
0AAW2
MANUEL ESCONT IAS, District 3 E. FRANK HINDS, JR. , District 4
DAVID BYFORD, D ict 5 &TIEP DONCARLOS, Distric
ayor Pro Tempore
ATTEST:
EILEEN P. HALL, Ci Clerk
r
ACIO RAMIREZ, , City Attorney
legaVeo cil/8-26-93mUNFUNDEDm dales