AUSTIN – Controversial and possibly illegal city ordinances, like plastic bag bans and fees, have sparked an intense debate over the proper role of local control and the rule of law. To examine the local control vs. local liberty debate that transpired in the 84th Legislative Session, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance will host the panel “Local Control vs. Local Liberty” at the 14th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm CST at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Meeting Salon K.
“Many cities have enacted ordinances – most notably, plastic bag bans – that are in likely violation of state law,” said Allegra Hill, policy analyst with the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance. “Local governments should not be able to do as they please where the state has spoken. That is not local control; that is local government overreach.”
Panelists include:
- Senator Sylvia Garcia, Texas State Senate
- Senator Bob Hall, Texas State Senate
- Representative Matt Rinaldi, Texas House of Representatives
- Luke Metzger, Director, Environment Texas
- James Quintero, Director, Center for Local Governance, Texas Public Policy Foundation (Moderator)
For over thirteen years, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation has been one of the nation’s top policy conferences, selling out each year while bringing together lawmakers, policy experts, and engaged citizens from across the political spectrum to discuss critical issues facing the Lone Star State and America. This year’s program includes more than 35 panel discussions and debates on the major issues affecting Texas’ future.
Members of the public and media who wish to attend may register and view the agenda at: www.PolicyOrientation.com
Allegra Hill is a policy analyst with the Center for Local Governance at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
James Quintero is director of the Center for Local Governance at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.