Category Archives: Local Governmental Entities
One Man’s Trash, Another Man’s Treasure: Abandoned Vehicles
Whether you’re in a major metropolitan area, or a small rural community, one thing all Texas cities have in common is the existence of unwelcome abandoned vehicles. Abandoned cars, trucks, and RVs are not only an eyesore to most members of the community but can be a particular nuisance when occupying valuable parking spaces… Read More »
Local Government Basics: what is a City Council Meeting Agenda and why is it in a Packet?
Local government directly affects our everyday lives. City ordinances, which are adopted in city council meetings, are the local laws that directly impact the residents of cities and towns across Texas and are created by elected officials. In Texas, state law provides the authority for smaller cities to self-govern by ordinance [1], and for… Read More »
Shifts in Election Requirements
Local elections in Texas are a crucial aspect of the democratic framework, allowing residents to elect officials who directly impact their day-to-day lives. These elections typically cover positions such as mayors, city council members, school board trustees, and county officials. They serve as the core of the democratic process, ensuring that communities are represented… Read More »
How can I drive in Texas with a foreign driver’s license?
In Texas, as in many other U.S. states, you can drive with a valid foreign driver’s license for a certain period of time after you arrive in the United States. However, there are some important considerations and rules to keep in mind: International Driving Permit (IDP): While neither Texas nor the United States requires… Read More »
County Appraisal District Chaos?
If you are a property owner in Texas, you were probably thrilled last November to vote in the constitutional amendment election to reduce your property tax liability and to increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000. Given the unprecedented increases in property values across most of the state over the last several years,… Read More »
New Laws Texas Cities Must Keep in Mind When Making New Year’s Resolutions
The 88th Texas Legislature Session ushered in hundreds of new laws that directly affect the way Texas municipalities conduct business. Through the latter half of 2023, cities across the state have already been making necessary adjustments to the manner in which they regulate agricultural and farming operations (H.B. 1750, H.J.R. 126), interact with their… Read More »
Legalization of Bingo in Texas
Bingo is a straightforward game that virtually everyone has played at some point in their lives. In Texas however, the road to allow this simple game is somewhat complicated. Legalized bingo actually began with an amendment to the Texas Constitution in 1980. The Constitutional amendment allowed the legislature to authorize and regulate bingo games… Read More »
Holiday Gifts vs. Holiday Bonuses
The question is often-asked this time of year: May a city give holiday gifts to its employees, such as a turkey, ham or gift basket? The analysis is important because our Texas Constitution prohibits the grant of public money or things of value to any individual unless it is for a public purpose. Article… Read More »
The End of the “Dead Suspect Loophole” and Other TPIA Changes
During the last legislative session, changes were made to Chapter 552 of the Texas Local Government Code which altered important government transparency provisions related to the release of information under the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA). Public Information Officers (PIOs) need to be aware of these changes which impact: 1) the release of information… Read More »
When is an Advisory Committee Subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act?
Under the Texas Open Meetings Act – except in certain scenarios dictated by the Act – Texas cities are required to hold every regular, special, or called meeting of the governmental body open to the public. The Act defines a governmental body to include any deliberative body that has rulemaking or quasi-judicial power and… Read More »