Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Eminent Domain, Litigation, Separation of Powers, Sovereign Immunity

Texas Supreme Court holds one public entity is not immune from condemnation suit filed by another

HIDALGO COUNTY WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 3 v. HIDALGO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 1; 21-0507 (Tex. May 19, 2023) In this immunity case, the Texas Supreme Court held that governmental/sovereign immunity does not prohibit one political subdivision from utilizing eminent-domain proceedings against
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Constitutional Challenge, Employment Law, Procedure

An F-5 general discharge is insufficient evidence of disparagement of character to require a name clearing hearing as part of termination of employment due process.

An F-5 general discharge is insufficient evidence of disparagement of character to require a name clearing hearing as part of termination of employment due process. Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs City of Fort Worth v. Joel Fitzgerald,
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Agency, Constitutional Challenge, Mandamus, Sec. 1983, Sovereign Immunity, Uncategorized

Texas Supreme Court holds wrongfully imprisoned man could not bring federal claims after accepting Tim Cole Act funds from Comptroller

Brown v City of Houston, et al., 22-0256 (Tex, February 3, 2023) In response to a U.S. 5th Circuit certified question, the Texas Supreme Court held that under Texas law, a person wrongfully imprisoned cannot maintain a claim if the person receives
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Civil Service/Collective Bargaining, Constitutional Challenge, Contracts, Employment Law, Litigation, Sovereign Immunity

Fourth Court of Appeals holds civil service employee established jurisdiction for denial of due process claim

City of Laredo  and City of Laredo Municipal Civil Service Commission v. Tony H. Moreno, 04-21-00413-CV, (Tex. App – San Antonio, Aug. 24, 2022)  This is a civil service appeal where the Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of the City’s
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Injunction, Land Use, Public Works, Sovereign Immunity, Takings

Texas Supreme Court holds city’s civil-enforcement of utility payment ordinance was not an unconstitutional taking

  City of Baytown v Alan Schrock, 20-0309 (Tex. May 13, 2022)  In this takings case, the Texas Supreme Court held the City of Bayton (City) did not commit a taking by withholding utility service in order to collect unpaid utility bills.
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Injunction, Sovereign Immunity, Takings

Texas Supreme Court holds general-law cities cannot impose a revenue-based licensing fee for construction trash haulers

  Builder Recovery Services, LLC v. The Town of Westlake, Texas, 21-0173, (Tex, May 20, 2022)  In this case, the Texas Supreme Court held that general law cities have limited authority to impose license fees for solid waste collections.   The Town
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Injunction, Litigation, Nuisance, Sovereign Immunity, Takings

First District Court of Appeals holds property owner could not bring a takings claim based on judicial order regarding substandard building

Jaime Jaramillo v. The City of Texas City, 01-20-00654-CV, (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.], Feb. 8, 2022, no pet. h.) (mem. op.). This is a takings case brought after the City initiated an enforcement action for a dilapidated building. The First District Court
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Land Use, Sec. 1983, Sign Regulation

U.S. Supreme Court holds Austin on-premise/off-premise sign regulation is content neutral

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs City of Austin, Texas v. Reagan Nat’l Advert. Of Austin, LLC., et al, No. 20-1029 (April 21, 2022). The primary question in regulating off-premise signs differently than on-premise signs is whether such
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Constitutional Challenge, Litigation, Official/Qualified Immunity, Search and Seizure, Sec. 1983

US 5th Circuit held officer entitled to qualified immunity due to suspects resisting placement in vehicle

Craig, et al. v. Martin, 19-10013, (5th Cir. Feb. 15, 2022) Special guest author: Joshua Galicia, Law Offices of Ryan Henry, PLLC This Fifth Circuit appeal stems from a series of §1983 claims, all of which were dismissed under the appellant’s motion
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Board of Adjustment, Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Sovereign Immunity, Takings, Vested Rigths, Zoning

Fort Worth Court of Appeals holds Plaintiffs properly plead constitutional challenges to City’s short-term rental ordinance

  City of Grapevine v. Ludmilla B. Muns, et al, 02-19-00257-CV (Tex. App. – Fort Worth, Dec. 23, 2021) This is an opinion on rehearing where the Fort Worth Court of Appeals reversed in part and affirmed in part the trial court’s
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