At the time this is published, counties who are on an October fiscal year will be busy conducting public meetings, trying to meet all the publication deadlines, and adopting a budget to take effect Oct. 1. After doing this for 21 years you would think this would get easier, but I can assure you it … [Read more...] about From The President
CJCAT
From the General Counsel
Commissioners Court May Authorize County Judge, Fire Marshal to Lift Burn-Ban Order In 1999, the commissioners court was granted the authority to prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in all or part of the unincorporated areas of the county. In times of drought, this authority has been … [Read more...] about From the General Counsel
From The President
Sine die! This is a term that we all have heard when the Legislature adjourns at the end of a session. Over the years I have come to look forward to this adjournment more and more. In the dictionary, the term “sine die” is defined as a Latin noun meaning “without day.” … [Read more...] about From The President
Indigent Defense Legislative Updates
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
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