February 15, 2013, Number 6
  

Fiscal Transparency Bills May Miss the Mark

The Texas Comptroller's recently-filed "fiscal transparency" bills (S.B. 14 by Senator Tommy Williams (R - The Woodlands)/H.B. 14 by Representative Jim Pitts (R - Waxahachie))...
  
On January 1, 2013, Congress and the President approved a deal avoiding the "fiscal cliff" known as sequestration.  Part of that legislation included the delay of billions of dollars...
 

Texas House Implements Electronic Witness Committee Forms

If you have ever testified before a legislative committee at the State Capitol, you are familiar with filling out a Witness Affirmation Form (WAF) stating your position on a bill, who you represent, etc.  These hardcopy forms...
 

City Officials Testify

When the legislature is in session, nothing compares to the effectiveness of city officials testifying at the Capitol. City officials who take their time to travel to Austin...
 

                    

Scenic City Certification Program Now Accepting 2013 Applications

The Scenic City Certification Program, a project of Scenic Texas in cooperation with the Texas Municipal League and several additional partners, will accept 2013 applications through April 30. The Scenic City Program publicly recognizes cities with the established scenic standards that can provide a competitive edge in today's economy. The program supplies applicants an objective review of existing infrastructure ordinances for public roadways and public spaces, evaluated against the Scenic City model. Assessment is points-based, with every applicant receiving a detailed, scored evaluation. Cities earning the highest points are certified for five years.

 

Currently there are 36 Certified Scenic Cities in Texas. Visit www.sceniccitycertification.org for contact information and to access the application, example ordinance language, and current Certified Scenic Cities. For additional information, please contact Scenic Texas Executive Vice President Anne Culver at 713-979-4374 or anne@sceniccitycertification.org.

 

It's Time for Show and Tell: Apply for a Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award

The Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Awards recognize and encourage the achievements of Texas cities in meeting the challenge of municipal government. The competition is divided into two population categories-cities less than 25,000 in population and cities over 25,000 in population. Within each of the two population categories, there are five subject categories-management innovations, communication programs, city spirit, public safety, and public works. The deadline to submit applications is June 7, 2013.

 

Texas Municipal League Institute (TMLI)

Now is the time for elected officials to set the goal of obtaining certification through the Texas Municipal League Institute (TMLI). TMLI is a voluntary certification program for elected officials in TML member cities and is sponsored by the Texas Municipal League and the Association of Mayors, Councilmembers and Commissioners (AMCC). The highest level of recognition an elected official can obtain is Certified Municipal Official (CMO). 
 
Region 8
February 21, 2013
North Richland Hills
Meeting Information
  
Region 12
February 28, 1013
La Joya
  
Region 16
February 28, 2013
  
Region 11
March 7, 2013
  
Region 10
March 21, 2013
Rockdale

Region 3
March 28, 2013
  
Region 14
April 4, 2013
Houston
 
Region 2
April 18, 2013
Amarillo
 
Region 5
April 25, 2013
Burkburnett
 
Region 15
April 25, 2013
Tyler
  
Region 11
June 21, 2013
Refugio 

Region 3
June 27, 2013
  
Region 3
September 19, 2013
  
For more information on a specific meeting, contact rpitts@tml.org.
 
February 16-17

February 21-22
Salado   SOLD OUT

February 21-22

February 27

February 28-March 1

March 11

March 21-22

March 21-22
  
March 22
  
April 14-17
Government Finance Officers Association of Texas Spring Institute
Austin

May 22-24
Texas Municipal Utilities Association Annual Conference
College Station
  
   

If you do not wish to receive the TML Exchange, please reply with the words NO TML EXCHANGE on the subject line, or e-mail tmladmin@tml.org with NO TML EXCHANGE on the subject line.

Texas Municipal League
1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400
Austin, Texas 78754
Phone: 512-231-7400
Fax: 512-231-7495