Craddick Appoints Heflin to the Select Committee on
Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform

(Austin) - Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland), today, appointed Rep. Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) to the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform.  The committee will oversee all matters related to tax relief and reforming the property appraisal system. 

"Rep. Heflin's appointment ensures that West Texas taxpayers have strong representation on this committee," Speaker Craddick said.  "He is a well-respected lawmaker who will work hard with the other committee members as they come up with a solution to this issue." 

The committee will review the sections of the Texas Constitution and the tax code that limit or authorize limiting the appraised value or increases in the appraised value of property for tax purposes.  It may request assistance from any executive branch agency, and it will issue a report to the House of Representatives before the 81st Legislative Session, which may include draft legislation or recommendations for legislation. 

Rep. Heflin stated, "I am grateful for the opportunity to work on this select committee.  It is essential that the citizens of our rural area have a voice in this process.  Any reforms to our current system must be both responsible and realistic."

Rep. Heflin is the state representative for House District 85.  He is a member of the House Agriculture & Livestock Committee and the House County Affairs Committee.  His district includes: Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Irion, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties.  He can be reached at the Capitol at P. O. Box 2910, Austin, TX  78768-2910 (Tel. 512-463-0604), at his District 85 office, P. O. Box 585, Crosbyton, TX  (Tel. 806-675-1583), or by telephone in Big Spring at 432-213-2897. 

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Dear Citizens of House District 85:

    I am writing urging you to support the development of wind energy in House District 85 and West Texas. A formal hearing of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Regulated Industries will be held on, Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 9 a.m. The meeting is to be held at the Region 16 Education Service Center, Panhandle Conference Center, located at 5800 Bell Street, Amarillo, TX 79109.

    The purpose of the hearing is to discuss wind energy and transmission lines. The development of wind energy is very important for the residents of House District 85 and all of West Texas. I encourage you, if possible, to spend the day at the committee meeting. It will give you first hand knowledge of the process as it unfolds.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to call my district office at 806-675-1583.  I hope to see you in Amarillo.

Very truly yours,

Joe Heflin
State Representative, District 85