In many Texas counties, the county jail has become a de facto mental institution housing mentally ill inmates awaiting due process without their medications and/or life-sustaining therapies. Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) operates nine state hospitals and one residential youth center, all located across the state, for people with mental health issues. If a judge … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Mentally Incompetent Inmates
CJCAT
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
As we celebrate the 190th anniversary of the Texas Declaration of Independence and approach the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, it is appropriate to reflect on the principles that were embodied in both of these documents and the efforts required to attain and sustain these principles. The significant role of county government in the … [Read more...] about Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
New Training Requirement for County Officials
At the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference in Wichita Falls this April, I was reminded how quickly things can shift in public service. Conferences offer more than required training hours; they also provide a way to stay current, exchange ideas, and learn from others facing the same challenges. These conversations and shared experiences are often … [Read more...] about New Training Requirement for County Officials
What Counties Need From the Legislature
As county officials across Texas continue the daily work of serving our communities, the actions taken in Austin during each legislative session have a direct impact on our ability to do that job effectively. Counties are on the front lines of delivering essential services. Because of this, the decisions made by the Texas Legislature can either strengthen or strain our ability … [Read more...] about What Counties Need From the Legislature
Resolution Spotlight: Juvenile Funding
County governments provided approximately 73 percent of the total funding for juvenile probation departments in FY 2024, according to the 2025 Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Rider Report to the Governor and Legislative Budget Board. This percentage has historically been as high as 75 percent, confirmed Windy Johnson, program manager for the Conference of Urban … [Read more...] about Resolution Spotlight: Juvenile Funding