Intergovernmental Relations Program

As directed by the City Council, the City of San Marcos participates in state and federal legislative processes by monitoring and advocating for or against policies to support, safeguard, protect and enhance the interests of residents and businesses.

The Intergovernmental Relations Program is guided by the core values found in the City Charter's Statement of Goals and the Comprehensive Plan Vision Statements. 

As part of the program, city representatives have visited the Texas State Capitol and Washington, D.C. They've also met with state and federal elected officials including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, and State Rep. Erin Zwiener. 

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87th Texas Legislative Session

Bills we're tracking: 

Environment

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Land Use

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Municipal Authority

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Public Safety

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Revenue & Finance

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Utilities & Tech

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Bill List

Our Participation

Representatives from the City of San Marcos have actively participated in the legislative process throughout the 87th Texas Legislative Session. City staff and Council members attended a series of legislative webinars to monitor legislation, held meetings with elected officials, and submitted several letters to our state and federal delegation advocating for and against policies on behalf of San Marcos residents and businesses. The City's efforts helped propel policies through the political process and played a pivotal role in adding beneficial amendments to proposed legislation. A resolution to make San Marcos the Mermaid Capital of Texas is also one step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to City representatives who traveled to Austin to testify on its behalf. 

Below: Letters to the Delegation and City Testimony on Behalf of HCR 13

1869_RequestforAmendment
Sb566_LetterofOppostion
SB10_LetterofOpposition
Tyler with Rep Zwiener

Above left: San Marcos City Council member Alyssa Garza testifies to the Texas House of Representatives Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee in support of HCR 13, which would officially designate San Marcos as the Mermaid Capital of Texas. 

Above right: Interim Director of Utilities Tyler Hjorth meets with State Rep. Erin Zwiener on April 14, 2021, after traveling to Austin to testify in support of HB 2275 relating to critical infrastructure resiliency. 

Projects Submitted for Federal Funding

Along with advocating for and against legislation proposed during the session, the City has worked alongside elected leaders to meet residents' needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented winter weather event in February.  The City submitted three projects to be considered for funding by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Representative Lloyd Doggett, a member of the committee, selected one of the City's proposals for further consideration. If approved, the City would receive an estimated $950,000 in federal funding to invest in weatherization and resiliency upgrades to critical infrastructure. Click on the document to the right for more details, or visit the Community Project Funding Requests page on Representative Doggett's website.

Weatherization Project Proposal

Contact your state lawmakers:

Name District
Rep. John Cyrier  House District 17
Rep. John Kuempel House District 44
Rep. Erin Zwiener House District 45
Sen. Judith Zaffirini Senate District 21
Sen. Donna Campbell Senate District 25

Contact your U.S. lawmakers:

Name District
Rep. Lloyd Doggett Congressional District 35
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez Congressional District 15
Rep. Chip Roy Congressional District 21
Sen. John Cornyn U.S. Senate
Sen. Ted Cruz U.S. Senate
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