County Officials explore local effects of 88th Legislature

Caldwell County

Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden was one of more than 850 county officials and staff members who attended the Texas Association of Counties’ (TAC) 2023 Legislative Conference on Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Austin. The three-day event offered attendees a county-level
analysis of what happened during the 88th Legislature.
“TAC’s Legislative Conference gives county officials from around the state the chance to get
together each year as peers and as community leaders to discuss potential solutions to our
shared challenges. It is essential to learning about legislative issues that affect county government and local taxpayers,” TAC Executive Director Susan M. Redford said.
The conference followed TAC’s successful hybrid model and allowed participants to gather
either in person or virtually online. County leaders joined federal and state lawmakers, state
agency leaders, policy experts and representatives with the National Association of Counties to discuss state and federal issues important to counties.
Central to the conference were 10 breakout sessions moderated by TAC’s Legislative Services
team. Topics ranged from property taxes, elections and broadband funding to the American
Rescue Plan Act and grant opportunities for counties.
The conference’s opening session featured a keynote address by Texas Secretary of State Jane
Nelson. The event concluded with a panel discussion of the Legislature’s efforts to erode local
control.
The Texas Association of Counties was established in 1969 to provide services to Texas counties and to promote the value of county government statewide. Through TAC, counties
communicate the county perspective to state officials and the citizens of Texas.