During the 82nd Legislature’s Regular Session, the appropriations bill reduced funding for indigent defense to $54,674,013 for the biennium ($27.3 million each year), which reflects $8.6 million in cuts over the biennium, a 10 percent reduction of administrative budget over the biennium ($174,100), and the loss of one FTE (staff) position. Fortunately, the Legislature … [Read more...] about Indigent Defense Legislative Updates
From the General Counsel
From the General Counsel
Anatomy of a Resurrected Unfunded Mandate A few years ago, this column described the process of passage of the unfunded mandate requiring counties to pay attorneys for indigent parents in Child Protective Services cases in an article titled “Anatomy of an Unfunded Mandate.” The article … [Read more...] about From the General Counsel
From the General Counsel
The Slippery Slope Toward Disaster As this article is being drafted, the Texas Legislature has indicated that the state budget will not utilize the Rainy Day Fund and will be balanced totally upon spending reductions and diversions of dedicated funds, including county road funds, criminal justice funds, mental health … [Read more...] about From the General Counsel
From the General Counsel
Legislature Considers State Budget Reductions As the legislative session progresses, the potential reductions in the state budget are the subject of considerable debate and action. The House of Representatives has approved the expenditure of approximately $3 billion from the State Rainy Day Fund to … [Read more...] about From the General Counsel
Lawmakers File Bills to Prohibit Unfunded Mandates
Lawmakers File Bills to Prohibit Unfunded Mandates CJCAT Leadership Calls for County Support When Rep. Burt R. Solomons (R-Carrollton) filed House Joint Resolution 56 calling for the prohibition of unfunded mandates, CJCAT President Don R. Allred was on hand to offer his applause. … [Read more...] about Lawmakers File Bills to Prohibit Unfunded Mandates