May

9, 2015

Mr. Tom Benning
Reporter, The Dallas Morning News
508 Young St.
Dallas, TX 75202
tbenning@dallasnews.com; @tombenning

Mr. Benning,

Thank you for your assistance with scheduling appointments for my Senate office. As a public
servant, I require the help and input of many people, including my constituents and local media.
You are far more efficient than the U.S. Postal Service. In fact, you published the letter from the
Senate District 16 mayors before I even received it.

I respectfully request your assistance in very promptly scheduling a meeting with the
outstanding mayors of the communities within Senate District 16. Given the pressing business of
the Texas Senate, I will be unable to meet with the mayors in the Dallas area, but I urge them to
come to Austin at their earliest convenience, on a day and time of their choosing. In fact, I hope
this meeting can happen this week. We can meet and then share a lunch or dinner.

As I have said in the past, local control is not a blank check. I am blessed to represent Senate
District 16, where the local leaders make a good faith effort to respect the necessary balance
between state laws and local control. My efforts are aimed at reining-in stringent regulations
that undermine or contradict state laws. The rule of law must be vigorously defended.

I look forward to continuing to have a productive and constructive dialogue with all of the local
leaders within Senate District 16. Of course, these esteemed mayors know that I have an open
door policy for meeting with local leaders and constituents alike.

Again, because the mayors communicated with you before contacting me, I respectfully ask that
you facilitate a meeting with these mayors in Austin this week.

Thank you.

In liberty,

Senator Don Huffines

Senate District 16 - Dallas