A bill State Rep. Leo Berman is drafting would allow the State Legislature to interfere in local government and take control from the hands of voters, Smith County Judge Joel Baker said on Friday.

"Rep. Berman is assuming that the voters in Texas counties are either unwilling or unable to communicate their wishes to their elected officials," Baker said. "In my experience as Smith County Judge, that is simply not the case. Our voters are intelligent, vocal citizens who will let us know when they disagree with our actions."

"In fact, as a result of comments and actions by our voters, I have decided to decline the last two years of the raise commissioners approved last year."

Baker decided over the holidays to decline the raise after talking to county residents and hearing their comments.

"Something like a raise for commissioners should not stand in the way of Smith County having a serious discussion about our need for a jail and finding a solution to this pressing problem," Baker said. "This was a decision I made for the good of Smith County and I arrived at it without state interference. " FLEMIING RESPONDS:

Please be advised that the news release you received on Commissioners Court letterhead regarding State Rep. Leo Berman's bill that would have commissioners court raises delayed until members are reelected DOES NOT represent the views of the entire court - at least not mine.

I support the legislation because it will give the people a chance to assess the performance of a Commissioners Court member and the results achieved (or not achieved) before that official gets a raise.

If the official has to wait for re-election to get the raise, the people's voice is strengthened.

However, I am glad to learn that Judge Baker has made the decision not to take the next two years of the pay raise approved last July. He heard the voters and has acted accordingly. I commend him for his decision.

I have made it clear to our executive assistant that no news releases should go out on general letterhead for the Commissioners Court unless it is a statement discussed in a public meeting and voted upon by the entire court.