The recent spike in violent crime has been a topic of concern for cities across the United States. Texas is no exception. A recent study analyzed crime statistics from towns and cities throughout the U.S. to identify the safest – and most dangerous – cities for...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
