Legislative Services

Caroline Love joined TAC in October 2022 as a Legislative Consultant and was named Director of Legislative Services April 2024. With more than 24 years of work experience in Texas, Caroline held various positions within Texas state government, including the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), and the Texas Municipal Retirement System. Additionally, she has worked for HillCo Partners and on several Texas political campaigns.

A Chicago native, Caroline received a Political Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago then quickly moved to Texas to avoid those long cold, bitter winters. Her broad exposure to work with both public and private entities brings diverse perspectives and solutions. Her previous role for many years as Director of Government and Strategic Communications with TxDMV, including work with stakeholders and counties on issues, makes her a great resource.

Program(s):
County Judges and Commissioners Association

Katy Estrada started her public policy career in 2009 as a clerk in the House Committee Coordinator's office. She became committee clerk for the House Committee on County Affairs in 2011 and was promoted to committee director in 2013. In 2016, she joined Davis Kaufman PLLC as a governmental affairs consultant, using her legislative expertise to develop strategy, conduct policy research and advise on legislation. In 2018, she joined TAC's Legislative Services team, working initially with the Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas and since 2022 with the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas. She became Associate Director of Legislative Services in 2024. Estrada holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University.

Amy Ruedas joined the TAC Legislative Department as Operations Manager in 2016. She brings more than 10 years of experience working in nonprofit management. Ruedas assists the TAC Legislative Director and department staff, helping to coordinate the operations of the department.

Ruedas was born and raised in Austin. She earned a B.A. in Human Services and M.A.T. with a minor in organization development and training from St. Edward’s University in Austin.

Program(s):
Texas District and County Attorneys Association

Elizabeth Choate joined TAC's Legislative Services team in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Science in political science and economics and a Juris Doctor with a certificate in government law. She started her career in public policy in the Texas House, where she served multiple sessions as a policy analyst and chief of staff/general counsel to the chairman of the County Affairs Committee. Choate spent over a decade as the director of government relations and general counsel at the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. In this role, she managed the association's robust government affairs program and political action committee, while providing legal counsel to the association and its members. She then brought her expertise to AAA Texas & New Mexico as a government relations specialist, advocating for the company's interests before legislatures, regulatory bodies and other key forums.

Program(s):
County & Districts Clerks' Association

Nanette Forbes has served as a TAC Legislative Consultant since 2005, working closely with the County and District Clerks' Association of Texas. Her areas of expertise include elections, fines and fees, open government, legislative research and communications with state elected officials and state agencies.

Before joining TAC's Legislative Services team, Forbes worked as a paralegal for TAC's Legal Services department. She has held a variety of public sector jobs, both county and state, since 1982. She has provided over 25 years of service to TAC members.

Forbes is a native Texan and grew up in Jim Hogg County. She has lived in the Austin area for the past 20 years. She has also lived and worked in Denver and Chicago.

Pete Winckler has served as liaison to the Texas Association of County Auditors since joining TAC in late 2020. Previously, he lobbied for corporations and interest groups, building on his 14 years as an aide, director and chief of staff to four Texas state senators. Winckler has called Austin home for over 20 years and draws on his time representing coastal, North and East Texas interests to better understand the diverse needs across our great state.

Program(s):
Justices of the Peace and Constables Association

Julie Young joined TAC in 2024. She began her public policy career in 2015 as a committee clerk for the House Investments and Financial Services Committee. She later served in various committee roles in the Texas House, including committee director and general counsel for the Higher Education and Juvenile Justice & Family Issues committees. In 2022, she became chief of staff and general counsel to the chair of the House Juvenile Justice Committee and then chief of staff, general counsel and committee director for the House Committee on County Affairs. Young holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami. She previously worked as a public defender and regional conflict counsel.

Program(s):
County Treasurers' Association of Texas

Program(s):
Sheriffs' Association of Texas

Program(s):
Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas

Tim Brown joined TAC in 1999 and is now the senior analyst for the County Information Program within the Legislative Department. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Dallas before joining the U.S. Navy. After leaving active duty, he attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a master’s degree in library and information science.

In 2001, Brown was mobilized and served one year with the U.S. Central Command.

Zelma Smith joined the TAC County Information Program in February 2019. Her focus is on state fiscal matters and the impact of legislative and operational changes on state and local government. She also provides expertise in the state budget process and timely fiscal note responses to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). Zelma has a B.A. in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in urban studies from Trinity University in San Antonio.

Zelma has over three decades of experience in state and local government budgeting and policy, beginning with an internship at the Texas Research League, now known as the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, while in graduate school. Zelma has worked at budget offices in the City of Austin, City of Lubbock and the City of Champaign, IL, and had her longest tenure at the LBB where she worked for nearly 20 years as an analyst and a manager.