Commissioners approve resolution supporting tax measure

CLOVIS — During Thursday’s regular meeting the Clovis city commission demonstrated support for a state legislative measure helmed by Rep. Randy Crowder that, if approved by voters, would grant authority to all counties and municipalities to impose a tax on retail sales of gasoline and special fuel to enhance infrastructure.

Commissioners voted 8-0 for the resolution supporting House Bill 63, also known as the County and Municipal Fuels Tax Act. According to the legislative introduction, changes would be made permitting use of proceeds of county and municipal gasoline and special fuel taxes, revision of purposes for which bonds may be used and the repealing of the special county hospital gasoline tax act.

“This is a bill that is being carried by Rep. Crowder,” Clovis Mayor David Lansford said. “It’s simply a fuel tax that is dedicated to roads, bridges, highways and things to do with vehicles using the fuel are needing. It’s not going to be used for anything other than infrastructure.”

Officials said if the bill is approved during the 2017 legislative session, it would serve as a local option tax and would be subject to municipal election by voters.

In other meeting actions:

• The commission unanimously approved resolution opposing state legislation the resolution references would impose rules, regulations and restrictions exceeding federal law on private firearm transfers between individuals and on all firearms sales at gun shows, including the Clovis Lions Club event.

The resolution opposes proposed state legislation (Senate Bill 48 and House Bill 50) supported by Everytown for Gun Safety, which is described by organizers as a nonprofit which advocates for gun control and against gun violence.

“This bill goes way further than any previously,” Commissioner Gary Elliott said. “It even makes it illegal for me to loan a gun to someone. They would have to go get a background check and when they bring it (gun) back to me, I would have to get a background check to receive the gun. It’s foolish. You may not be able to even gift a gun to your son, daughter or family member.”

The resolution also addresses the potential impact of the proposed state legislation on the March 2017 slated Clovis Lions Club gun show, adding the bills would impose additional costs and recordkeeping requirements on buyers and sellers at gun shows. The parties, in turn, would be more likely to abandon the Clovis show for others in Texas and its less stringent gun laws.

The resolution notes the Clovis Lions Club gun shows raise between $35,000 and $40,000 annually, and provide $350,000 to $400,000 in annual economic impact.