Facing severe drought conditions, several Texas counties adopted emergency measures to avoid fire dangers from fireworks during the July 4th holiday. Many commissioners courts prohibited the sale or use of "skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins" under the authority of Section 352.051, Local Government Code. Other commissioners courts also prohibited the use of all … [Read more...] about Fireworks Lawsuits Fizzle
CJCAT
Message from the President
FREEDOM. What a wonderful word! As we celebrate our Independence Day on the 4th, do we really understand what the Declaration of Independence that was signed on July 4, 1776, really meant? Independence. Freedom from the influence, control, or determination of another or others. Boy, that said a lot. Can you remember your younger days when you could do just about anything … [Read more...] about Message from the President
The Test of Time Counties Offered Limited Opportunity to Adopt Official County Road Maps
Texas counties still have a window of opportunity to legally clarify the public interest in long-maintained roads, a measure that could save counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation costs. House Bill 1117, passed by the 78th Texas Legislature, went into effect Sept. 1, 2003, and expires Sept. 1, 2009. Implementation of the bill, a discretionary measure found in … [Read more...] about The Test of Time Counties Offered Limited Opportunity to Adopt Official County Road Maps
Dodging Bullets
The Third Called Session of the 79th Legislature adjourned without imposing revenue caps or appraisal caps on county government. That is certainly good news. However, all reports indicate an intense effort to limit local government revenue options in the next regular session in January. Legislation to impose revenue caps and appraisal caps was introduced during the special … [Read more...] about Dodging Bullets
Message from the President
Howdy. June is always such a busy time for many of us as we will start on our budgets for the next year. Have you started yours yet? Are you going to be hampered by caps on your revenues or appraisals? As I write this article, it is still undecided as to which direction the Legislature is going to go. We are always threatened by either the Legislature putting a cap on such … [Read more...] about Message from the President