Over the years, the Texas Legislature has increased efforts to diminish local control by limiting the city’s ability to make decisions in the best interest of the community. The city-state relationship has changed drastically with state-level legislation and decisions that negatively impact municipalities. Irving’s ability to govern and provide essential municipal and community services has been hindered by state legislation that takes a one-size-fits-all approach.
Since 2015, about 25 percent of all bills filed affected cities. For the most recent 88th Legislative Session, that number was more than 2,000 bills.
Hostility toward local governments came into full view in 2019, after legislators attempted to pass a bill that would keep cities and counties from advocating for themselves in the Legislature. The sitting Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen was recorded in a meeting with State Representative Dustin Burrows saying they “hate” cities and counties and promising the next session would be even worse than the last.
Resident awareness and involvement are key to protecting and maintaining the safety, finances and quality of life of each individual who lives in Irving. Irving Legislative Insider is a public awareness campaign to educate residents about the negative impacts some state legislation has on communities across Texas. Visit CityofIrving.org/Legislative-Insider for more information and to subscribe to email updates.
Irving Legislative Insider will post a series of articles over the next 12 months highlighting some of the legislation affecting cities, including bills that passed, some that didn’t and some that will be filed again in 2025.
Senators who represent Irving:
House members who represent Irving: