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Sen. Menendez Filibusters To Kill Controversial Annexation Bill

Ryan Poppe
/
Texas Public Radio
Sen. Menendez filibustered long enough to kill a bill that would have required a vote before cities could annex property owners.

State Sen. Jose Menendez of San Antonio filibustered for more than two hours Sunday night to kill legislation that would have required a vote by property owners before they could be annexed into a city.

Killing Senate Bill 715 was a top priority for the City of San Antonio which argued it needed the authority to annex areas near military bases like Camp Bullis to ensure development doesn’t interfere with military operations.

Supporters of the bill, filed by New Braunfels Republican Sen. Donna Campbell, argued that protections to control light and other impediments to military maneuvers are already in place. San Antonio area homeowners along the I-10 corridor claim they’re being targeted for annexation because their upscale properties would provide taxable revenue for the city.

Sen. Menendez’s filibuster lasted long enough to reach a deadline which prohibits lawmakers from deciding legislation within 24 hours of the last day of the session- which is today.  So the annexation measure failed. 

Shelley Kofler is Texas Public Radio’s news director. She joined the San Antonio station in December 2014 and leads a growing staff that produces two weekly programs; a daily talk show, news features, reports and online content. Prior to TPR, Shelley served as the managing editor and news director at KERA in Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.