In 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas Senate Bill 19 into effect, forbidding Texas from approving any public securities purchased from or issued by any banks that discriminate against the firearm industry. The office of Attorney General Ken Paxton even released a...
The actions of city councils affect the lives of thousands – sometimes millions – of people. The Texas Open Meetings Act ensures that members of the public have access to municipal meetings. This provides transparency that is critical for local democracies. However,...
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...
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...
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 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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
