Category Archives: Local Governmental Entities
City Ordinances Facing Societal, Technological Changes: Robot Brothels and SOBs
The City of Houston was recently in the news for a rather unusual reason. A robot brothel was set to open its doors in the heart of the city. A Canadian company which already operates an “adult love dolls rent before you buy service” in Toronto attempted to open a Houston location. Even a… Read More »
Robots are Rolling into Cities in Texas for a Variety of Purposes, including Security
The Robots are coming to a city near you. We all knew the day was coming in light of living in the age of computers, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Robots have been used by law enforcement for a few decades to aid with explosive devices. For some time, the U.S. military… Read More »
Texas Property Tax Debate Illustrates How State Government Pressures Municipalities
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is running for re-election in a few weeks and a lot of the information and news coming out of the governor’s office is geared to ensure a successful campaign. The governor released his legislative blueprint on his campaign page which he has labeled the “Texas Bicentennial Blueprint,” and similar content… Read More »
Shabby Chic Yard or Public Nuisance? How Texas Cities Can Cover Costs of Weed Abatement
Most Texans take pride in keeping their home looking good, maintaining a well-kept lawn, and preventing junk from piling up in their yard. Of course, there are always those who don’t seem to mind having waist-high weeds or an old junked vehicle sitting on their front lawn. For the neighborhood and the community as… Read More »
Texas Ethics Commission Regulates State Campaign Finance Rules, for Now
Lately, we have been hearing a lot about campaign finance. Any individual that chooses to run for an elected public office in Texas has election and finance laws to follow. We are about 10 weeks away from election day on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and we know who our Texan candidates are. Texans will… Read More »
Trademarking a City Slogan to Enhance Economic Development
What’s in a name? Or, in a city slogan, for that matter? A city may adopt a slogan to boost civic morale, encourage economic development and increase tourism dollars. Further, a city may opt to trademark a slogan to protect its brand from dilution or imitation. Some slogans are unofficial, such as “the city… Read More »
Bulletproof Backpacks Are Now a School Supply Item, But Are Schools Safer?
It’s August and for millions of young Americans, the first day of the new school year is just around the corner. Time for parents to stock up on all those school supplies. Time for new clothes, pens, pencils, notebooks, highlighters, and bulletproof backpacks. Wait, what? Yes, bulletproof backpacks have become a very real thing…. Read More »
Poison: Conflicts of Interest for Texas Local Public Officials
There’s a saying in toxicology: “the dose makes the poison.” This saying is derived from the concept that any substance, including water and oxygen, can become toxic at high enough concentrations. Well, a similar concept can be applied to conflicts of interest. Virtually any action taken by a public official can have some positive… Read More »
Texas Law Supports Women’s Right to Breastfeed in Public
Recently, the United States surprised many by opposing a World Health Assembly resolution to promote breastfeeding as preferable to baby formula substitutes. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman told the New York Times earlier this month that the position was taken to be considerate of women who are unable to breastfeed…. Read More »
Blueprint for Good Governance: Review Your City Charter
A City Charter establishes a town and sets up the municipality’s form of government. In a sense, a City Charter can be thought of as a town’s constitution. So what happens when the city charter is unclear, or even worse, the Mayor or Council fail to uphold the rules of the Charter? The City… Read More »