“If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” – Will Rogers. This adage is known as the First Law of Holes. As with most old sayings, there is a lesson to be learned. There are two types of holes in life: Those that others dig for us, and those that we dig for ourselves. For examples of those dug by others, see previous columns on “Traps for the Unwary.” This column will … [Read more...] about The First Law of Holes
From the General Counsel
Win Some, Lose Some, Some Get Rained Out
The old baseball expression “win some, lose some, some get rained out” is applicable to the legislative process. This column is submitted at the close of the 89th Regular Session but prior to the veto deadline by Gov. Greg Abbott. However, it is clear that counties have registered some successes and some losses, and some issues are postponed until the next session. Each … [Read more...] about Win Some, Lose Some, Some Get Rained Out
The Slippery Slope
In an earlier column, we warned that the foundational principles of county government were eroding. Local decision-making/local control were once basic tenets endorsed by the state leadership. Support for these tenets has slipped significantly, especially in the Texas Senate. As special interests have pumped millions of dollars into legislative races, many supportive … [Read more...] about The Slippery Slope
The Deadliest Duo: Unfunded Mandates and Revenue Caps
Our constitutional system creates three separate branches within the federal, state, and local governments. Each branch has duties and responsibilities. The legislative branch is responsible for adopting laws via the legislature and funding the government. The executive branch is responsible for administering the laws. The judicial branch interprets the laws and ensures that … [Read more...] about The Deadliest Duo: Unfunded Mandates and Revenue Caps
Significant Legislative Activity
With a total of 8,898 bills and joint resolutions filed, the legislative session will definitely include numerous bills with significant effect on counties. Bills often undergo major changes as they progress through the committee and floor process. To receive timely updates, please monitor the Texas Association of Counties listserv. Under Section 5, Article III, Texas … [Read more...] about Significant Legislative Activity