By Julie Anderson, Editor An unfunded mandate is a state law or regulation that requires a local government to perform certain actions, with no money provided for fulfilling the requirements. During the Regular Session of the 82nd Texas Legislature, Rep. Burt R. Solomons filed House Joint Resolution 56 (HJR 56) calling for the prohibition of unfunded mandates. Oldham … [Read more...] about Unfunded Mandate Legislation: Past Efforts Lay Groundwork for Future Progress
Commissioners Court
Valuable Budget Tools
Calendar, Vision Help Guide Lengthy Process Legal document…approved expenditures…statement of revenue…expenses and fund balances… While these technical definitions of the county budget are certainly valid, the budget document often embodies much more to Commissioners Courts and the constituents they serve. In many counties, the facts and figures in the budget ultimately … [Read more...] about Valuable Budget Tools
What You Wish Your Constituents Knew About County Government, the County Budget, and the Property Tax
Per reader request, we publish this article several times a year. We receive regular calls asking for permission to reprint and/or share this story with local community groups and constituents. We welcome you to use this article to help educate the public you work so diligently to serve. By Julie Anderson Editor What is County Government? In the State of Texas, county … [Read more...] about What You Wish Your Constituents Knew About County Government, the County Budget, and the Property Tax
Inmate Health Care
Sandra Bland Act Mandates Telemental Health Access By Julie Anderson Editor The 85th Texas Legislature’s mandate requiring telemental health access in county jails may seem daunting at first. However, correctional care experts say that while finding providers may be a challenge, the setup itself is not so difficult; after all, telehealth has been well used in prisons … [Read more...] about Inmate Health Care
Employee Clinic Promotes Healthy Workforce, Healthy Bottom Line
What started as a one-room clinic in the basement of the Jefferson County Courthouse in 1999 has grown into a multiservice employee health clinic that has outgrown its location two times. The Jefferson County Employee Health Department Clinic was the first county employee clinic in the State of Texas. The brainchild of former Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith, the clinic … [Read more...] about Employee Clinic Promotes Healthy Workforce, Healthy Bottom Line