Category Archives: Local Governmental Entities
Mind the Shot Clock
As we come out of an epic college basketball season, shot clocks may still be on the mind. Maybe you are new to municipal planning or maybe you just want a refresher, but either way we are going to chat a bit about the platting process and critical timing elements of that process. What… Read More »
Public Building or Public Funds?
In a recent blog post, we discussed how Texas cities may inadvertently violate the Elections Code by authorizing the use of employee time for political advertising. However, does this statute also affect the ability of a municipality to allow political events at city-owned facilities? We are often asked the question of whether it is… Read More »
Texas Supreme Court Retroactive Ruling
The Texas Supreme Court rendered an opinion on a Petition for Review on Friday, March 15, 2024, and decided that a new law passed in 2023 by the Texas legislature, signed by Governor Abbott on June 9, 2023, (effective immediately) could be applied to cases already on file in Texas Courts. This was qualified… Read More »
Tree Removal Regulations
A municipality’s authority to regulate tree removal is found in the Texas Local Government Code, Title 7 Regulation of Land Use, Structures, Businesses, and Related Activities; in Subtitle A. Municipal Regulatory Authority; at Section 212.905 Regulation of Tree Removal. Tree removal regulations can vary significantly depending on the specific municipality in Texas. Many cities… Read More »
Call Off the Dogs, We’re Letting the Cat Out of the Bag: New(er) Laws for Fido and Tiger
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Mahatma Gandhi Are you a cat person? A dog person? Both? Well, then you might be interested in learning about two new laws adopted during the 88th Legislative Session in Texas that are intended to offer greater protection to… Read More »
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 »