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Robert John Smith

Former Garland City Council Member, District 8

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Category: Policy

Abolishing Property Taxes?

March 4, 2024March 10, 2024 rjsmith

“On second thought, let’s not go to Austin. Tis a silly place.” Another two years have gone by, and candidates are once again addressing the concept of abolishing the property tax. Increased local spending, skyrocketing property values, and an increased Read More …

Policy

Property Taxes – 2023

April 16, 2022August 10, 2022 rjsmith

Yesterday I made the mistake of trying to drink a cup of coffee and read my new 2022 home value at the same time. After I finished choking and wiping the coffee off of my computer monitor, I started browsing Read More …

Bond 2019, Policy, Smart Spending

GP&L FAQ

July 28, 2021July 29, 2021 rjsmith

Disclaimer: This is my personal understanding of how everything works. This is not an official publication of either GP&L or the City of Garland, and does not represent the opinion of the Garland City Council. Here are my answers to Read More …

Council, Policy

Winter Storm Aftermath

February 18, 2021February 20, 2021 rjsmith

Downloadable PDF version here With the latest winter storm plunging Texas into a once-in-a-generation grid failure, we’ve all scrambled to try and plan our water, meals, shelter, and medications around when the power is on. So far, ERCOT (Energy Reliability Read More …

Policy

Sidewalk Repair Program Reform

July 7, 2020July 7, 2020 rjsmith

This evening we passed an ordinance that revamped our sidewalk repair program. Agenda item 2j: Consider an ordinance amending multiple provisions of Chapter 31, Article IX, “Construction or Repair of Sidewalks,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Read More …

Policy, Safe Streets

COVID – Masks

July 1, 2020August 14, 2022 rjsmith

UPDATE 7/2/2020: Executive Order GA-29 Requires masks in public and private facilities. Read the governor’s order HERE Order Summary: The order requires Texans living in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases to wear a face covering over the Read More …

COVID19, Policy

COVID-19 Closings 03.12.2020

March 13, 2020August 14, 2022 rjsmith

This evening the Garland City Council met to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and consider what actions we should (or should not) take in response. We heard presentations from a number of departments including health, police, fire, courts, parks, and libraries. Read More …

COVID19, Policy

The Garland Day Labor Center (Closed)

August 22, 2019December 5, 2023 rjsmith

The future funding of the Garland Day Labor Center is being debated by the Garland City Council as a part of our annual budget process. This blog post covers the history, operations, financing, and future of the facility from my Read More …

Council, Policy, Safe Streets, Smart Spending

Liquor Sales

July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 rjsmith

Several people have recently asked: Why Garland does not allow sales of liquor/distilled spirits in ‘package stores’ in the city, but we do allow drinks to be individually poured and served in restaurants? In reality, the city has very little Read More …

Local Business, Policy

86th Legislative Session Update

July 8, 2019July 9, 2019 rjsmith

The 86th legislature concluded in May, and it has taken awhile for me to put together a list of the bills and their impact on Garland. This is not strictly a city council obligation on my part, but I usually Read More …

Planning and Zoning, Policy, Texas Legislature, Transportation

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