On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Texas Legislature will begin its 89th Regular Session, which will last 140 days. There will be a variety of issues that will be presented, and from these issues approximately 7,000-8,000 bills will be filed. As a county official, you need to form relationships with your representative and senator so you can express to them how you feel about matters … [Read more...] about Be Ready to Engage in the Legislative Process
Education Requirements for County Judges and Commissioners
To download the education requirements for County Judges and County Commissioners, please click this link: Education Requirements for County Judges and County Commissioners MAIN REFERENCE POINTS: Judges: Texas Government Code Sections 56.006 and 74.025. The State of Texas delegated to the Court of Criminal Appeals the authority to establish the rules of judicial … [Read more...] about Education Requirements for County Judges and Commissioners
Resolution Spotlight: Elections and Countywide Polling
Countywide precincts, or vote centers, allow voters the option of voting at any of the countywide polling places on Election Day instead of their assigned precinct polling location. A pilot program to test vote centers was authorized by the 79th Legislature’s House Bill 758. Vote centers have been reauthorized by the Texas Legislature ever since. Lubbock County participated … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Elections and Countywide Polling
The Eroding Foundation of County Government
When the current state constitution was adopted in 1876, Texas was a rural, frontier state. With limited communication and transportation systems, a centralized government was not feasible, and county government was a necessity. The framers relied upon locally elected officials to provide essential governmental services, such as law enforcement, courts, public records, roads, … [Read more...] about The Eroding Foundation of County Government
Emergency Medical Services
Health care has been and still is a big issue for counties, and it is becoming an even bigger issue now. There are many counties in Texas that have little or no medical care services. Some do not even have one clinic, and there are still others that do not have a local hospital. In light of these facts, emergency medical services (EMS) is a very important issue. When I … [Read more...] about Emergency Medical Services