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2. 1. Understand the relationships that exist between local governments, as well as the relationships between local government and the state and national governments. 2. Recognize the importance of municipal governments and their forms of organization. 3. Identify the forces that shape local government outcomes. 2Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

3. 4. Analyze the structure and responsibilities of counties. 5. Examine the importance of special districts and how they function within the greater community. 6. Discuss ways that local governments deal with metropolitan-wide and regional issues. 3Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

4.  Local Governments and Federalism  Dillon’s Rule and Cooley Doctrine  Texas’s local governments are created by the state and subject to the state.  More than 5,000 local governments  Grassroots Challenges  Making sure that all communities receive equal access to public services  Voter apathy 4Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

5. 1. Do local governments have more flexibility to make their own decisions under Dillon’s Rule or the Cooley Doctrine? Which one does Texas follow? 2. Are federal (or intergovernmental) relations marked by conflict, cooperation, or both? Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning5

6.  Legal Status of Municipalities  General-law city (900)  Home-rule city (350)  Recall  Initiative  Referendum 6Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

7.  Forms of Municipal Government  Strong mayor-council  Weak mayor-council  Council-manager  Commission 7Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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10. 1. Name the two legal classifications of cities in Texas and indicate which form had more flexibility in deciding its form and the way it operates. 2. Which form of municipal government is most common in Texas's larger home-rule cities? In smaller cities? 10Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

11.  Municipal Politics  Rules make a difference  Nonpartisan elections  Voter turnout low  Reduced minority representation  More personal and less issue oriented  At-large elections  Single-member district elections 11Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

12.  Municipal Politics  Socioeconomic changes  Increasing urbanization, education and economic development have resulted in a more diverse state 12Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

13.  Municipal Services  Police and fire protection, streets, water, sewer and sanitation, parks and recreation, libraries, airports, hospitals, community development, housing ■Regulations  Zoning, construction, food service 13Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

14.  Municipal Government Revenue  Resources limited with greater responsibility placed on local governments  Property and sales taxes  Fees  Bonds 14Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

15.  Municipal Government Revenue  Property tax exemptions and caps  The bottom line  Pressure against increasing taxes results in cutting services or finding other means of raising revenue. 15Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

16.  Generating Revenue for Economic Development  Less money coming from federal and state government  Tax reinvestment zones (TRZs)  Tax breaks to attract investment in blighted inner- city and other areas needing development 16Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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18. 1. Which of the following election forms tend to increase the representation of minorities in local government: nonpartisan elections, redistricting, at-large elections, single-member district elections, or cumulative voting? 2. What are the two largest tax sources that provide revenue to local governments? Do these taxes usually provide enough revenue for local governments to meet the demands placed on them? 18Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

19.  Structure and Operation  Provided by Texas Constitution  Same basic structure for all counties  Partisan election to serve four-year term for all elected county officials 19Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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22.  Structure and Operation  Commissioners Court  Major policy-making body of the county  Membership includes four elected commissioners for specific precinct  County Judge  Presiding county officer  Completes administrative and judicial functions 22Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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24.  Structure and Operation  County Attorney and District Attorney  County Sheriff  Chief law enforcement officer  Law enforcement and judges  District court clerk, justices of the peace, constables  Country Clerk and County Tax Assessor- Collector  Treasurer and Auditor 24Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

25.  County Finance  Taxation  Property tax  Sales tax  Revenues from nontax sources  Fees  Federal grants-in-aid  Bonds 25Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

26.  County Finance  Tax incentives and subsidies  Tax abatements, reimbursements, tax increment financing  Expenditures  Varies greatly between rural and metro  Largest expenditures are hospitals and health care, public safety and roads  Commissioners court approves the budget 26Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

27.  County Government Reform  Merit systems or home rule  Border Counties  High growth because of NAFTA and immigration  Most impoverished counties in the nation  Colonias (2300)  Depressed housing settlements often without running water or sewage systems  Border security 27Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

28. 1. True or False: Local residents of each county can determine the structure of their own county government. 2. What is the major policymaking body in each Texas county? 3. What is usually the most important source of revenue for county governments? 28Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

29.  Public School Districts  More than 1,000 independent school districts  Governed by elected board  Primarily financed by local property taxes  Increasing ethnic diversity  School finance issues 29Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

30.  Junior or Community College Districts (50)  Elected board  Receive property taxes raised by the local district, state appropriations, small federal aid  Noneducation Special Districts (2,300)  Single districts that provide specific functions in an area  Provide specific services that county may not be able to cover  Personal profit motivation 30Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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32. 1. What are the two categories of special districts in Texas? 2. Why are special districts so important? 32Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

33.  88% of Texans live in metropolitan areas.  With many governments, addressing problems is difficult.  Metro government  Councils of Governments  Voluntary associations of local governments  Perform regional planning activities and provide services 33Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

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35.  Municipal Annexation  Provides process for home-rule cities grappling with suburban sprawl  Extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)  Allows regulation and annexation of unincorporated areas  Intended to improve order and planning 35Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

36. 1. What are the two primary ways that Texas deals with problems in metropolitan areas? 2. Which groups want to be annexed? Which do not? 36Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning