Bastrop city council approve anti-democratic rules including a means to stifle the voices of the people.

Texas Town Takes Tiny Step Toward Transparency, But Is It Too Little Too Late?

• Bastrop, Texas, has some serious issues with transparency, and it's taking baby steps to address them.
• The Bastrop City Council approved 14 propositions to amend the city charter, including shrinking the quorum required for city business, from four members down to three.
• This comes after concerns about council members discussing matters behind closed doors and violating the Texas Open Meetings Act.
• David Bragg, chair of the Charter Review Commission, warned that Option C could allow a loophole for secret meetings, but the council chose this option anyway.
• The council also proposed decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession, which is a step forward, but long overdue.
• Other propositions include making gender-neutral changes to the charter, increasing compensation for the mayor and council members, and removing the city manager's residency requirement.
• URL to original article

Quotes:

“This proposal would allow a voting majority of the council to operate under a veil of secrecy, whether intentional or not,” Bragg said. “Under this proposal, a three-person majority of this council could appoint themselves to a committee and then conduct the people’s business entirely in secret, showing up to a public council meeting, only to vote on what they already had decided to do.”

“This has never been about communicating in secret,” Plunkett said. “This has always been about producing the best outcome for our citizens. [...] Sometimes, to do that, one needs to get opinions from more than one person [...] making the same decision you’re making.”

Propositions:

• Proposition A: Annexation without consent (aligning with state law)
• Proposition B: "Resign to run" rules for council members
• Proposition C & D: Technical regulations and ordinances available digitally/for free
• Proposition E: Aligns with state law on municipal court judge's term
• Proposition F: Repeals outdated provisions
• Proposition G: Gender-neutral language
• Proposition H: Clarifies appointment process for advisory boards
• Proposition I: Increases compensation for mayor and council members
• Proposition J: Creates charter review commission every six years
• Proposition K: Reduces quorum for city business to three members
• Proposition L: Removes residency requirement for city manager