Checks and Balances for County Government. The People should have a voice in how your tax dollars are managed, and in 1875 the Texas Constitution created a structure of checks and balances for county government. Every four years, you elect someone you trust to manage the county’s funds. If they perform poorly, you fire them at the ballot box. The authors of our state constitution wisely created an elected treasurer’s office in every county to ensure the separation of powers between the commissioners court, which sets the county’s budget, and the treasurer, who manages and disburses the funds. This balance of power is fundamental to the checks and balances that make county government work for the People. The framers gave the People final authority on questions of amending the constitution. Two-thirds of the legislature may put a proposed amendment on the ballot, but a majority of voters must approve it. That’s why you are asked to vote on amendments that seemingly don’t concern you. Beware: The amendment’s stated purpose—drafted by legislators who put it on the ballot—may be less benign than it sounds. Its implications may be far-reaching. Proposition 12 on the November 7 ballot reads, "The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County." You may think what happens in Galveston County doesn’t affect the rest of us. Why, then, does the constitution require the whole state to vote on Prop 12? Abolishing the county treasurer’s office would eliminate the separation of powers in Galveston County and concentrate power over county money solely in the commissioners court. That’s dangerous for all Texans. The treasurer is the chief custodian, administrator and disburser of county funds. State laws precisely govern their conduct of duties, and they post a personal bond to ensure they meet this bar. Because they are elected, county treasurers are independent—not beholden to any county official or employee. In fact, Texas law authorizes treasurers to challenge the commissioners court if they question the legality and propriety of a payment order. An elected county treasurer has mandatory training requirements which must be met to remain in office. The treasurer’s independence sometimes irks commissioners, which is a byproduct of good checks and balances.
Early Voting Starts Monday, October 23, 2023 &
Last Day of Early Voting Friday, November 3
Election Day 2023, November 7, 2023