Big-city mayors talk with Abbott: It’s about time

Some of Gov. Greg Abbott’s plans for this special session of the Texas Legislature involve overturning city ordinances and weakening local control.

Texas’ big-city mayors have pushed back, and Abbott has wisely added plans to meet with Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price next week along with Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and others.

Texas’ mayors have plenty to discuss with Abbott. In many ways, he has strengthened cities by building economic development, creating jobs and bringing new companies that foster the state’s metropolitan growth.

But along the way, Abbott is also delving into petty local matters like tree preservation ordinances, a question of aesthetics best left to local preferences.

In at least two recent speeches, he has sharply criticized local ordinances as overly restrictive. He said America is not the “United States of Municipalities.”

Mayors are particularly concerned about a proposal to cap how much taxes can be increased without voter approval, and another requiring annexation elections.

Price and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings will meet Tuesday with Abbott. Williams will join mayors of Frisco, Irving and McKinney in Abbott’s office Wednesday.

Cities benefit from Texas’ growth and success, but also need the money to maintain essential city services. Abbott should have consulted mayors long before now.

This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Big-city mayors talk with Abbott: It’s about time."