Chapter 8: Local Governments Flashcards
Dual-purpose of County Gov’t
provide direct services such as roads, public health, property records; serve as administrator for state functions (vehicle titles and licensing, voter registration, administrating elections)
Elected officials of County Gov’t
commissioners, judges, justices, 2 attorneys, sheriff/constables, 2 clerks, treasurer
2 Main sources of Local Government Revenue
property taxes and sales taxes
Main source of Local Gov’t spending
k-12 education
What are charters?
enabling documents wherein the states authorize creation of a “city” gov’t; within a charter, the state defines essential parameters for local gov’t
Charters fall in 2 broad categories…
General Law Charter and Home Rule Charter
General Law Charter
municipalities only have powers specifically granted to them by the state (Dillon’s Rule); changes to the charter must be made by the state legislature
Home Rule Charter
municipalities have all powers not forbidden by their charters (must have a population of 5,000+, cities residents may change the charter
2 Forms of Mayor-Council
strong-mayor form and weak-mayor form
Strong-Mayor Form
common among the nation’s largest cities; strong mayors have powerful duties: budgeting and veto; councils and strong mayors check and balance each other
Weak-Mayor Form
common among very small municipalities
Cons to Mayor-Council
strong form has sometimes led to political corruption
Council-Manager Form
most common in mid-size cities; elected city council; mayor is elected by the council; argued to be the most efficient form of city gov’t
2 Types of Gov’t “Legislative” Seats
Single-Member-District Seats and At-Large Seats
Single-Member-District Seats
city is divided into pieces and residents of that geographic are elect one person to represent them in the legislative body; better represents diversity that appears geographically
At-Large Seats
voted on by residents without regard to district; Pro: these members are expected to be non-partisan; Con: still can be highly partisan; an at-large representative may not seek to represent everyone in the city
Commission Form
elected commissioners administered various departments and collectively comprise city’s policy-making board; rarely used now
City’s Expenditures
police, fire, streets, hospitals, sewage, parks and recreation, libraries, poor/homeless
Elections in School Districts
school board members are publicly elected; school board decisions are generally well publicized; superintendents are always hired by board
School Board’s Relationship w/ Public
most Americans think their local schools are doing a great job; but most Americans also think public schools, in general, are failing
Special Districts
local gov’t established for specific purpose by state: utilities, fire protection, transportation, flood control, hospital, etc.; overlays with other local gov’t boundaries; elected board usually oversees bureaucracy directly
Why Special Districts?
designed for special needs of rural areas with limited gov’t resources; sometimes established local gov’ts cannot or will not pay for needed services
Dillon’s Rule: States Hold All the Cards
states can and do yank the leash on local gov’ts; when states do this, it’s called preemption
Local Control Bills Not Passed by Texas Legislature
cities must seek state approval on any law that would be more or less restrictive than the state; local votes must first be certified by the state
Local Gov’ts are…
numerous, multi-layered, and overlapping; are ultimately dependent on the state for their authority
