Author Archives: J. Grady Randle
Farmer Joe
Since we don’t have enough wars raging presently, Texas has declared war to protect farming. Did you know that was a problem? Proposition 1 (that’s how important this is, first place on the ballot) will seek to amend the Texas Constitution for the 518th time since 1876. It seeks to restrict regulations and ensure,… Read More »
Return of the Jedi?
In May, we wrote and warned about the passage of HB 2127 named the Death Star bill because it was to radically change local regulation. The name is ironic given the Death Star was fatally flawed and was destroyed by the very people it was meant to intimidate and subjugate. The City of Houston… Read More »
Selling Park Land
Recently, a decades long dispute was settled when one of the parties agreed to swap park land for a new location so that a development could progress. Can a political subdivision of the state just write and execute a deed to transfer title? Is the land really a park? It’s complicated, especially if a… Read More »
Contemplating Contempt
You are in contempt! Television courtroom dramas and national politics bring this to our attention very often. But how often does a court hold a party in contempt? Not very often. The process to hold a party in contempt is procedurally, shall we say, robust. It is used by the courts to restore order… Read More »
Peaceful Transfer of Power, Texas Style (Bring an Axe)
The 2020 elections were or still are on everyone’s mind. Trying to fill airtime, there has been speculation of how the Federal Government peacefully transfers its power from one administration to another. But how does Texas do it? After all, Texans never let an opportunity pass without reminding anyone that we were once a… Read More »
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Grand Jury Subpoenas
What happens if the City receives a grand jury subpoena with a secrecy clause or gag order? Can a Texas District Attorney prevent you from informing your client, or the city manager or the mayor or the city council? As a city attorney, who is your client? What duty do you owe your client… Read More »
You’re Up in My Business – Suing the AG Over an Open Records Ruling
Elected officials often chafe at the intrusiveness of the Texas Public Information Act when requests come in asking, for example, to obtain text messages sent during a city council meeting on a personal cell phone. The answer: “Dad can you bring some “queso” home after the meeting.” Public employees and managers chafe equally because… Read More »
Strengthening Cybersecurity for Municipalities in Texas is Now a Mandate
Sunday, September 1st, opens dove season in the north zone in Texas, college football will have started, and new laws go into effect in Texas. That priority is intentional! One new bill mandates that cities train their personnel in cybersecurity every year. Of course, this is an unfunded mandate but still good policy. House… Read More »
Texas Legislature Tightens State Reins over Local Control
As Daenerys rode the dragon Drogon and sacked King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, I was reminded of the just closed 86th Texas legislative session and its effect on local control. “Local control” is the notion that the better form of government is the government closest to the people because it is more responsive… Read More »
Top 14 Ways to Drive Your City Attorney Crazy (or Make Him Take a Vacation)
A wise mayor once told me that you train people how to treat you. He also told me that an accountant’s job is to reduce cost, a lawyer’s job is to reduce risk, but an owner’s (manager’s) job is to grow the business by taking risk and wisely spending money. I thought about those… Read More »