Our constitutional system creates three separate branches within the federal, state, and local governments. Each branch has duties and responsibilities. The legislative branch is responsible for adopting laws via the legislature and funding the government. The executive branch is responsible for administering the laws. The judicial branch interprets the laws and ensures that … [Read more...] about The Deadliest Duo: Unfunded Mandates and Revenue Caps
Connecting on All Levels
County government is essential because it delivers services that people need on a daily basis, such as health care, law enforcement, roads and bridges, senior services, and veterans services. Your county officials, who are made up of those elected by the people, serve at the pleasure of the citizens. The Commissioners Court sets policy and governs the activities of the … [Read more...] about Connecting on All Levels
Resolution Spotlight: Indigent Defense
The Texas Fair Defense Act of 2001 requires all Texas courts to establish procedures to provide court-appointed lawyers to indigent defendants. This legislation also established the Task Force on Indigent Defense, now the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC or Commission) to oversee indigent defense services and provide state grants to counties. Half of all criminal … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Indigent Defense
County Appraisal Districts
What Are They If Not County Offices?
Confusion has reigned since 1979 about exactly what Texas County (or Central) Appraisal Districts are, what they do, and who is in charge. To understand, you have to go back to “the way it used to be.” Before 1979, state law provided for each local taxing unit to do its own appraisal of properties within the unit’s boundaries. A single property would be appraised separately … [Read more...] about County Appraisal Districts
Tax Assessor-Collector Roles and Responsibilities
A primary responsibility of the tax assessor-collector is to calculate and bill property taxes to provide revenue for county and local jurisdiction budgets, unless this responsibility is contracted to another entity. Tax assessor-collectors are also agents of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, assisting citizens with registration renewals and title transfers of motor … [Read more...] about Tax Assessor-Collector Roles and Responsibilities