The Texas Legal Guide: To City, County, and State Law Differences

When my youngest daughter who's in college wanted to find her own place but found real estate prices sky-high, she thought of living in a travel trailer in our backyard. This seemed like a great idea until I explained that we have laws prohibiting this. She asked, “Is this your law, a local law, state law, or what kind of law is it?”

I informed her that it’s a city ordinance meant to keep neighborhoods looking nice, as enforced by many homeowner associations. This led to a deeper discussion about the differences between city, county, and state laws. Here's what I found out, focusing on Abilene, Taylor County, and Texas as seen in the videos below.

City Government: Abilene

In Abilene, our city council governs us. They create local laws, set policies, and oversee services like police, fire departments, city sanitation, parks, and public transportation. The Mayor and council members work to address our needs, focusing on issues impacting our daily lives, from zoning laws to road maintenance.

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County Government: Taylor County

Taylor County, which includes Abilene and other communities, provides services over a larger area. Led by a commissioners' court, the county handles tasks too large for individual cities, like managing jails, collecting property taxes, and maintaining rural roads. The county sheriff and district attorney ensure law enforcement and legal proceedings throughout the county, bridging city-specific services and broader state functions.

State Government: Texas

The state of Texas oversees all counties and cities, including Taylor. With its capital in Austin, the state government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The governor leads the executive branch, implementing laws and overseeing state agencies. The Texas Legislature creates laws on education, transportation, and more, while the judicial branch ensures justice across the state. The state manages highways, parks, and public education systems.

Although each level of government has distinct responsibilities, they often work together to serve us better. For example, while Abilene maintains local roads, Taylor County manages major thoroughfares, and Texas oversees interstate highways. Public health initiatives also see cooperation among city clinics, county health departments, and state agencies.

Finally, knowing the roles of city - county - and state governments helps us navigate our interactions with each level more effectively. In Abilene, Taylor County, and throughout Texas, these government layers work together to create the great State of Texas. Knowing the role of each level of government empowers us to be informed-active citizens.

Source: City of Abilene - Taylor County - State of Texas