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Governor Greg Abbott Signs Legislation To Reform Municipal Annexation Process

Governor Abbott presents legislation reform municipal annexation process.
Governor Greg Abbott Signs Legislation To Reform Municipal Annexation Process
August 15, 2017 | Austin, Texas | Press Release | Legislative
Governor Greg Abbott today signed Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), which will reform and restrict the municipal annexation process. Under the new law, authored by Sen. Donna Campbell and Rep. Dan Huberty, Texans will now be able to vote on whether a city can annex areas outside of its limits. This legislation was a key priority for the Governor during the special session, and with its passage, Texans will now have a voice when it comes to the annexation practices of local governments.

“In Texas, of all places, property rights matter,” said Governor Abbott.
Residents from across the state that have expressed their concerns about feeling abused by the annexation process have had their voices heard. I’m proud to sign legislation ending forced annexation practices, which is nothing more than a form of taxation without representation, and I thank the legislature for their attention to this important issue during the special session.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-greg-abbott-signs-legislation-to-reform-municipal-annexation-proce

The Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act has finally PASSED! ...Awaiting Governor's Signature

Today is a victory for freedom in Texas! I am extremely excited to finally announce that the Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act has passed both the Texas House and Texas Senate! The bill is on the way to the Governor's desk and we expect him to sign it in the coming days! We were able to accomplish this with the persistent support from our State Representative Lyle Larson, State Senator Donna Campbell, their staffs' diligent work and especially the ladies behind Homeowners Against Annexation. Barbara Green, Sandy Fitzpatrick, Glenda Haynes, Frances Booker, Linda Leeser, Sarah Stevens and countless others in the community worked tirelessly to end the tyranny of forced annexation! I'd like to give a special thanks to my wife, Gretchen. Without her support at home, my involvement in this struggle for freedom could not be possible. And I appreciate the communities thanks and praise. May god bless Texas! Stay tuned for a celebration and benefit event in the coming days! Sincerely Michael P. Stewart Husband, Father & Neighbor President, Homeowners Against Annexation

San Antonio Wants To Annex the IH10W Commercial Corridor....Let's Tell Them "NO"! Here's How....

To All IH10W Residents,
As we sit tight for a revised version of SB6 to come out of committee in the Texas House, you may ask what can I do to help end the tyranny of forced annexation? We can stand up and be heard! There will be three (3) opportunities to speak out and tell the City of San Antonio (COSA) to NOT annex the IH10W Commercial Corridor. This annexation takes revenue away for our Emergency Service District (ESD). Our message to San Antonio: please get your own house in order...we like our services the way they are! If San Antonio votes to annex the IH10W Commercial Corridor on August 31 as they plan on doing, some of these businesses, i.e. the Fireworks stands, will no longer be able to operate on September 1st and thus, their livelihood will be disrupted. Opportunity 1: COSA Planning Commission will meet to discuss the proposed zoning changes for the IH10W Commercial Corridor Annexation. Here is link to the details: https://sanantonio.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx? ID=22842&GUID=3E416584-8B58-4FA0-99F6-DD12D064476A Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2017 Time: 2:00pm Location: 1901 S. Alamo St., San Antonio Tx 78204 Opportunity 2: COSA City Council will have a public hearing on the Annexation of the IH10W Commercial Corridor. Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2017 Time: 6:00pm Location: Municipal Plaza, 114 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205. If going into San Antonio is an issue, there will be another meeting in Fair Oaks this Thursday.... Opportunity 3: COSA City Council will have a special public hearing on the Annexation of the IH10W Commercial Corridor. Meeting details: https://sanantonio.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=559191&GUID=673BEC9B-746F- 454A-99F8-C3F2F721D0E1&Options=&Search= Date: Thursday, August 10, 2017 Time: 7:00pm Location: Fair Oaks City Hall; 7286 Dietz Elkhorn, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas. LET'S GET EVERYBODY THERE TO PROTEST THE ANNEXATION OF THE IH10W COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR. WE WILL HAVE "NO ANNEXATION" T- SHIRTS AVAILABLE! Respectfully, Mike Stewart, President, Homeowners Against Annexation

A Great Day for the Right to Vote on Annexation

We had a great visit to Austin yesterday! 25 people from our area along with countless others from Bexar County and other parts of the State testified before the Texas House Land and Resource Management Committee. There were numerous Cities and Lobbyists that are paid to be there but the residents who were there on their own dime out numbered them! There is no doubt the Committee heard the people and we have tremendous momentum to end the tyranny of forced annexation.

Our Representatives not only have a plan, they have an expectation of what happens next. We expect HB6 to be voted out of committee in the next 24 hours. From there it will go through the Calendars Committee on Friday or Sunday and be moved the House floor for full debate early next week. Our House and Senate members will coordinate activities to minimize the risk of the shenanigans we experienced last session. The key right now is time so they are moving fast to get the legislation through the process.

At this time, there is no action required by us but we stand at the ready to call, email and tweet anybody that acts as an impediment to the process.

You can watch the entire hearing at this link: http://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=40&clip_id=14405

Another positive thing that happened during the hearing but 90 miles away was the San Antonio City Council met to discuss the Fast Track Commercial Annexation. We were successful with our petition to force a hearing in the annexation area and that was noted in the meeting. However, the best news was that the City staff is recommending against the annexation of the IH10 West Commercial corridor. Why? Well with the addition of a Fire Department Squad, the costs of that outweigh the revenue to the tune of -$72.1M over 20 years.

This was only a staff recommendation so it may still be necessary to attend the San Antonio Public Hearings next Wednesday and Thursday so stay tuned.

Here is a link to article in the San Antonio Express News as well. http://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-may-scale-back-annexation-plan-11730110.php#photo-13629128

A big thank you to everyone that came out today or previously and all those that called and sent emails. We the people are being heard and we are one step closer to the right to vote on annexation. 

Thanks,
Mike Stewart 
President, Homeowners Against Annexation

Hearing for the TX Annexation Right to Vote Act scheduled for Wed, Aug 2nd

Hi All...Due to the speed at which this Special Session is happening, we have just learned that a House hearing with the Land & Resource Mgmt Committee will occur tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug 2, at 10:30 am. I know it is barely enough time to react, but, if you are inclined to speak out to the Committee members about our right to vote (or lack thereof) on the annexation issue that are forced upon us by the city, please consider going to Austin.

COMMITTEE: Land & Resource Management
TIME & DATE: 10:30 AM or upon final adjourn./recess Wednesday, August 02, 2017 
PLACE: E2.026
CHAIR: Rep. Abel Herrero

HB 6 Huberty | et al. Relating to municipal annexation
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/85R/schedules/html/C3602017080210301.HTM

The time of these hearings are an inexact science... they don't always happen on time. We just try to have as much patience as possible especially if testimonies continue late throughout the day. Thanks for everyone's support!

Thanks,
Mike Stewart
President, HAA