Question one
The local governments in Texas such as the county governments are the extensions of the state that acts as the administrative arm of the state (Collier, Galatas and Harrelson). At the local level, there are the municipalities, special districts, school districts, water conservation districts, and the myriad of commissions that permit citizens to participate in different elected and appointed capacities. However, the counties are limited to their authorities by the constitution. All counties in the United States have different geographical sizes, inhabitants, and value of their properties. On the other hand, there is a controversy in the sense that the counties mainly depend on their property taxes to provide the basic services such as law enforcement, building, and maintenance of roads and bridges of the state.
The municipal governments are considered as nonpartisan. Therefore, they have been established within groups; home rule cities, and the general law cities. Additionally, there are also three basic forms of government that exist within the above categories. These are the strong council of mayors, weak mayor-council, and the city manager. The elections are at-large by single district member, place or through the cumulative system of voting.
The local school districts act as the separate and independent local governments that offer limited local control to citizens. The state government exercises power over the creation of the local school districts and the policies that have to be administered and adhered to within the district. Moreover, the limited jurisdiction and authority of the county and municipal governments in Texas have special district governments that offer services that might not be available at the county or municipal level. However, the municipality depends on sales tax and property tax to fulfill the needs of the community. The property taxes increases with the rising value of the properties in several communities, and this has led to the continuous discussion regarding the native and national politics in Texas.
Question two
County
Counties are considered as the general purpose governments because they perform different functions. They serve the dual commitments of providing the governmental services for their residents on behalf of the state (Stevens 9). However, the national services are the construction and maintenance of roads, welfare, enforcement of laws, and health.
Special Districts
The schools and different types of special districts are known for a sole duty because they always perform a single function such as education, the supply of water, and hospital care. However, several special districts serve a limited geographical region (Stevens 9). Therefore, they were created due to the inability of the general purpose local governments to offer a particular service.
Councils of Governments
The council of governments is known for commissions of regional planning. They are distinct in a political subdivision of the state, especially under the tax laws. On the other hand, it is different from the cities, counties because they neither levy taxes nor incur debt.
Cities
Cities undertake the greatest number of functions among all the local government regarding the state and the proprietors. As a proprietor, it performs the operation and maintenance of public utilities that are owned and operated by the city. However, any other duty is abnormal and dangerous or risky.
In conclusion, it is clear that the sub- units in the local governments are the real agents of the central government. The decentralization system in the federal government with the degree of autonomy in the local government differs considerably from one country to another. In all cases, a considerable extent of local independence prevails. Therefore, Texas should maintain its several and distinctive types of local government.
Bibliography
Collier, Ken, Steven Galatas, and Julie Harrelson. Tradition and Transformation in Texas. 2nd ed. Sage Copress, 2013. Print.
Stevens, Inger. "Chapter One". Local Governments in Texas (2015): n. pag. Web. 17 May 2016.
