The criminal justice system works to hold people accountable for their illegal activities. Given the constitutional rights of Americans, someone who allegedly broke the law must be found guilty to serve the consequences determined by the court handling their case....
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Disclose or be deposed
As a government official, you have such a high level of responsibility that part of your life becomes public record. Many people automatically think this only applies to higher profile individuals like mayors and senators, who have public Facebook pages and might...
FCC order may reduce cable franchise revenues for Texas governments
Franchise arrangements for cable services are a major benefit to many Texas municipalities. In addition to serving as a source of revenue, they often provide additional “freebies” such as low- or no-cost services for public institutions. However, a recent...
San Antonio’s Paid Sick Leave ordinance undergoing changes
San Antonio’s paid sick leave ordinance was supposed to have been implemented on August 1. But Bexar County District Judge Sol Casseb approved an agreement between the City Attorney’s office and a business coalition to delay the ordinance’s by four...
Social media and the Texas Open Meetings Act
The Texas Open Meetings Act promotes transparency between public officials and the general public. First adopted in 1967, the Act makes decisions and meetings of governing bodies more accessible, requiring explicit 72-hour notice of such meetings.The purpose of the...
Can you block citizens on government social media accounts?
In a world where information can spread faster than we can keep track of, social media can be both a blessing and a curse. The government can communicate about emergencies, find out where public opinion lies on an issue and even humanize politicians and agencies in...
Proper hiring process can save cities from future problems
Hiring a new employee should be an exciting opportunity for an employer, but some cities find personnel matters stressful. Employment law seems to be fraught with legal peril, starting with the hiring process. Many employers fear accusations of discrimination or other...
Preparing to report campaign finances after an election
As election season wraps up within the next few weeks, Texas candidates and political committees will once again prepare records of their campaign finances. Throughout your campaign, you must frequently submit a report to the Federal Election Commission, so take a...
Online convenience is the future, but laws cannot be forgotten
Most companies handle as much of their customer interactions online as possible. It has become entirely normal to us. From paying bills with an app to shopping online, to discussing complaints through chat bots – this is the way of the future.Recently, Vote.org...
Identifying A Conflict Of Interest As A Public Official
Imagine the San Antonio city council is set to vote on a new zoning regulation that is anticipated to raise the property value of small businesses along the River Walk. Ray Smith is a city councilman who is considering voting in favor of the new regulation. While...
