Public schools have an obligation to uphold the best interests of their students. However, this broad mandate is open to interpretation from every teacher, principal, board member, administrator, student and parent. As many public school employees are finding out,...
Texas Municipal Law Blog
What is the role of a municipal prosecutor?
Everyone has heard of prosecutors. They are the attorneys who work for the state to take criminals off the streets. While most people have an idea of what prosecutors who work for the district attorney’s office do, fewer people probably know about the duties of...
Tips to improve municipal meetings
Public meetings are a cornerstone of every municipality. They allow officials to discuss important issues, give members of the public a platform to make their voices known and allow officials to interact with the public. Efficiency, professionalism and courtesy are...
Attorney General promotes election integrity in Texas
Cities and counties throughout the state are preparing for the upcoming general election. One of the foremost topics on voters’ minds is the integrity of their vote: Will the elections be fair? Is there potential for voter fraud? Will all votes get a fair count? To...
Handling non-agenda items in government meetings
The Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) allows members of the public who wish to address their local government to add items to the official meeting agenda. This is a positive way to involve residents in their local governments' decisions. Still, it can add too many issues...
Public employers facing staff shortages push for higher pay
The worker shortage has affected workplaces at the federal, state and municipal level throughout the country. In Texas, government agencies and other public entities are struggling to find employees to fill crucial job positions. To retain current employees and...
What are the rights of municipalities under the Public Information Act?
One of the most important laws regarding government transparency in Texas is the Public Information Act. It grants members of the public the right to request government records, as long as the records are not confidential. All government entities must comply with this...
Texas bans municipalities from working with firms that favor renewable energy
Oil and natural gas are a significant source of revenue for the Texas economy. However, many corporations such as financial firms are distancing themselves from fossil fuels, preferring instead to use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In an...
Texas faces internal municipal lawsuits
Texas is facing legal heat from no less than six of its own cities. These suits are coming hot and fast due to a number of municipal matters. These are issues that no other type of measure seems able to quell. As a result, real estate, financial, and legal authorities...
New boot camps help municipalities secure federal grants
Federal dollars are critical for many small- and medium-sized towns throughout Texas. These cities often lean heavily on grant money as a source of funding. Securing those grants, however, is not always easy. Fortunately, there is a new initiative that provides an...
