1 Local Governments Chapter 3 Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives 3.1 Explain the relationships that exist between a local government and all other governments, including local, state, and national governments. 3.2Describe the forms of municipal government organization. 3.3 Identify the rules and social issues that shape local government outcomes. 3.4 Analyze the structure and responsibilities of counties. 3.5Examine the functions of special districts and their importance to the greater community. 3.6Discuss the ways that local governments deal with metropolitan-wide and regional issues. Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 2

Local Politics in Context  Local Governments and Federalism  Dillon’s Rule  Cooley Doctrine  Almost 5,000 local governments  Territories often overlap Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3

Local Politics in Context  Grassroots Challenges  Providing equal access to public services for all communities  SpeakupAustin! social media portal  Widespread voter apathy  Typical to have fewer than 10% voter participation Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 4 Learning Check

Municipal Governments  Legal Status of Municipalities  Two legal classifications  General-law cities (charter by legislature)  Home-rule cities (locally drafted charter)  Greater flexibility in structure and operation  Three powers not held by general-law cities Recall Initiative Referendum Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 5

Municipal Governments  Forms of Municipal Government  Strong mayor-council  Mayor elected at large  Mayor has power to veto council actions  Weak mayor-council  Mayor has limited administrative powers  City council can override mayor’s veto Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 6 Critical Thinking Question: What is the difference between the Strong Mayor-Council and Weak Mayor-Council form of government?

Strong Mayor-Council Form of Municipal Government (Houston) Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 7

Municipal Governments  Forms of Municipal Government  Council Manager  Most home-rule cities use  Mayor and City Council elected  City Manager appointed  Major weakness: lack of a leader  Respond to elite and middle-class rather than working class concerns Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 8

Council-Manager Form of Government (San Antonio, 2014) Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 9 Critical Thinking Question: What advantages does the city manager have in this form of government over the mayor? What concerns would citizens have about this form of government and why?

Municipal Governments  Forms of Municipal Government  Commission  Each government department is responsibility of a single commissioner Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 10 Learning Check

Municipal Politics  Rules make a difference  Nonpartisan elections (no party labels)  Low voter turnout  More personal/less issue oriented  Redistrict after every 10-year census  Ways to organize municipal elections  At-large elections  Single-member district elections  Cumulative voting Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 11

Municipal Politics  Socioeconomic and Demographic Changes  Increasing levels of urbanization, education, and economic development has made state more diverse  Houston most diverse political system  Dallas serious black-white racial tensions  South Texas has Latino leaders at all levels Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 12

Municipal Politics  Municipal Services  Government’s major job is to provide services...  Police and fire protection  Water and streets  Sewer and sanitation  Parks and recreation  Zoning has received more opposition in Texas than most other states Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 13

Municipal Politics  Municipal Government Revenue  Low levels of state assistance; local governments hurt by “Great Recession”  Taxes (property tax, sales tax)  Fees  Bonds and Certificate of Obligation  Property Taxes and Tax Exemptions Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 14

One Home but Property Taxes from Four Governments Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 15 (An Example from Walker County on a Home with an Appraised Value of $120,220; Taxes Paid in January 2014)

Municipal Politics  Generating Revenue for Economic Development  State and federal appropriations shrinking  Attract businesses with tax incentives  Tax reinvestment zones (TRZs)  Controversial Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 16 Learning Check

Counties  Structure and Operation  254 counties  Commissioners Court  Administrative and legislative (not judicial) Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 17 Critical Thinking Question: Do most citizens know the role of their County Commissioners Court?

Counties  Structure and Operation  County Judge  Most prominent job in county government  County Attorney and District Attorney  County Sheriff  Law Enforcement and Judges  Statutory county courts  District court  Justices of the peace  Constables Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 18

Counties  Structure and Operation  County Clerk  County Tax Assessor-Collector  Role is decreasing  Treasurer and Auditor Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 19

Counties  County Finance  Taxation  Revenues from Nontax Sources  Tax Incentives and Subsidies  The Bottom Line  Pressure to increase taxes and balance budgets  Expenditures Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 20

Counties  County Government Reform  Merit systems in large populations  County home rule  Texas strongly against Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 21

Counties  Border Counties  Unprecedented growth near Rio Grande  NAFTA  Many live in colonias  Extremely poor  Government does little to help  Undocumented immigrants Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 22 Learning Check

Colonias lack infrastructure or utilities Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 23 Critical Thinking Question: Should county government, along the border, work on improving the conditions of colonias? Why?

Special Districts  Public School Districts  More than 1,000 ISDs  Increase in state/federal requirements  Increasing ethnic/economic diversity  School finance  Equity  How much should be spent?  Property tax only local revenue source Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 24 Critical Thinking

Special Districts  Junior or Community College Districts  50 districts with two or more colleges  Noneducation Special Districts  Nearly 2,300 found in Texas  Many local needs cut across city boundaries  Restrictions make it difficult  Individuals create districts to make money (T. Boone Pickens) Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 25 Learning Check

Texas Community, Technical, and State Colleges Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 26 Critical Thinking Question: How will tuition increases affect student access to and success in higher education?

Metropolitan Areas  Metro government  Possible solution to address variances in urban/suburban governments  Councils of Government  24 created in 1960s  Perform regional planning  Implement state/federal programs Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 27

Metropolitan Areas  Municipal Annexation  Law enacted in 1963  Cities have extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)  Designed to improve order and planning  Makes Texas central cities larger than other states  City can annex contiguous unincorporated areas without a vote by citizens living in area  Those with few services (fire, police) want annexation Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 28 Learning Check

Texas Councils of Government Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 29 Critical Thinking Question: Why does Texas have so many levels of government? Are COGS really necessary?

Houston Taps Emergency Water Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 30 Click picture to view video

Video Discussion Questions 1.Which government entity is responsible for providing water to Houston residents? 2.What everyday resources are local governments responsible for? 3.Should the state oversee water allocation? Should the federal government? Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 31