As Texas grows and changes, so do the legal issues facing its cities and municipalities. From evolving technology to changing demographics, many emerging trends and issues will significantly impact Texas municipal law in the years to come. Here's what you should know...
Ordinances allow cities to create and enforce rules that fit the best interests of their local residents. Although ordinances must fit within the bounds of to state regulations, they give municipalities much-needed autonomy so that it is not necessary to appeal to...
Marijuana is a topic that few municipal leaders thought they would have to address as representatives. The legalization of cannabis is usually left to federal and state authorities. However, a recently proposed bill would grant this power to municipalities. Under...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
The popularity of streaming services has significantly changed how Texans consume entertainment. Millions of Texans use Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ to stream their favorite TV shows or movies. These companies, however, currently face accusations from more than two dozen...
