State rep. looks for constituent feedback

PHOTO BY GABE WOLF State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen), right, talks in his district office last week with Don Baker. Aycock visited with constituents in his first "open house"-type meeting, which precedes a series of planning sessions with local government officials.

After visiting with "a continuous stream" of constituents last Thursday in his Lampasas district office, State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen) said almost all asked him about the same issues: taxes, immigration, spending and eminent domain.

The representative has been organizing meeting times for constituents and local government entities as lawmakers identify priorities for the next session of the Texas Legislature. Cutting spending and protecting property remain important objectives, Aycock said.

"Property rights are violated in a lot of areas," he said.

The state legislator plans to target unfunded mandates -- local spending the state requires but does not fund -- which are drawing complaints from many city and county government officials, he said. Voting requirements, for example, create high expenses in small precincts, including some where 10 or fewer people voted in school bond elections, Aycock said.

"A lot of times I think the local governing boards can do a better job if (the state) would just leave them alone," he said.

Aycock will meet in planning ses- sions this month with school and local government officials from Lampasas, Burnet and Bell counties, which make up Texas House District 54. Legislative committees' interim studies will begin in January.

The representative encouraged continued citizen input, especially once interim studies begin. Agencies and committees will set as much as 80 percent of the state budget before the 2009 legislative session begins, Aycock said. As a result, constituent comments help legislators set priorities early for the remaining funds and plan spending cuts where necessary, he

Aycock said his first "open house" meeting at his Lampasas district office prompted strong turnout and helpful conversations.

"I was delighted that many people came and had issues to discuss," he said. "We're certainly going to do more of these."