Monthly Archives: June 2018
Dark Sky Ordinances Keeping the Stars Bright in Texas
The classic musical tribute to the Lone Star state, “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” boasts of how “the stars at night are big and bright,” an attribute many municipalities would like to maintain in the sky above. In an era of state preemption of city laws in Texas, my recent blog concerning city… Read More »
Free Speech, Public Forums and Government Social Media Accounts
The internet has made communication much easier and infinitely further reaching. With a few strokes of the keyboard, anyone with internet access can express their thoughts or opinions to thousands or even millions of individuals. Many government officials have opted to use popular social media platforms for this very purpose. Probably the most well-known… Read More »
Enforcing Building Codes in a City’s ETJ in Texas
Cities routinely collect permit fees as they go about enforcing their building codes, but what is a city in Texas to do about development in its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)? According to a recent appellate court decision, a city cannot pursue code enforcement in its ETJ. However, (1) that case may be appealed to the… Read More »