The Mayor Doesn't Get It!

In his latest Op Ed in the Wilco Sun, the Mayor complains again about the legislation being considered in the State Legislature that reduces the power and authority of local governments. 

He either does not understand or accept that the State created local governments and established their authority. The State also has the power to change or reduce the authority of local governments. See page 10A of the Wilco Sun published August 6, 2017 for an in depth discussion of the State's authority and responsibility.

Next, there are so many red herrings and diversions scattered through out the piece that focus is lost on the fundamental issue of city governance. A city government should fundamentally provide for public safety (fire and police), build and maintain roads, garbage pickup, storm water, sewer and water systems. (Electricity has been intentionally omitted as private industry is quite able to provide that service, even though Georgetown currently owns and provides electric service) Since the need for these services grow with the population, it follows that the city budget should grow no faster than population plus inflation. So why has the city budget been growing at more than 10% annually over the last five years? Population plus inflation has been 7% over the same period.  

The city government should be focused on providing those essential government services for the least cost. The more that the city government focuses on land use, economic development, restrictive development codes and other issues means they are doing a less than optimal job on providing the essential services for the least cost. Is the city charged with "managing growth"? That is not one of the essential functions of government. The private market will best decide when, where and how growth occurs. If growth does not occur within Georgetown, then it will occur in Williamson County. So what if the city cannot grow its boundaries over the objections of those citizens living adjacent to the city? Shouldn't citizens be able to vote on being annexed?

Red herrings abound like changing the subject to school finance. School finance is not under the purview of the city. Why bring it up?

Do not let politicians invoke visions of budget cuts to public safety. That is the standard response. In Washington D.C. it is called the "Washington Monument" response, meaning the monument will have to be closed no matter the amount or location of a budget cut.

Georgetown has adequate funding to maintain its essential services as long as the budget increases in relation to population and inflation.

Surveys are also highly suspect these days. Does anyone remember the 2016 presidential election where the pollsters unanimously declared Hillary Clinton would win? The results always depend on who is surveyed, how many are surveyed and the composition of the questions. They should be viewed with skepticism and are generally not very useful.

The Mayor needs to understand that the Governor and Lt Governor are "staying in their lane". The proposed legislation is all about reining in the power of local governments and returning that power to the citizens. The Mayor should be supporting that, not opposing it.