Serving in an elected office is an honor that few people get to experience. Elected office comes with a great deal of responsibility in governance. It requires staying abreast of new legal developments, honoring Texas laws and advocating for their constituents’ best...
Creative Representation For Governmental Entities
Year: 2022
Are there limits to what an intern can do?
As the new year approaches, it is time to prepare for a new batch of interns. Your interns may have various goals and expectations, and it is up to you to help them have a positive learning experience. While interns may perform tasks in a municipal or government...
City faces lawsuit for banning pedestrians on meridians
Last month, the Dallas City Council passed a ban on pedestrians loitering on medians. The city stated that it saw the measure as a public safety necessity to protect drivers and pedestrians. Civil rights groups, however, immediately criticized the measure. Now, the...
Public schools grapple with civil rights violation allegations
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,...
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...