Truth-in-Taxation: Tax Rate Adoption

Property owners have the right to know about increases in their properties' appraised value and to be notified of the estimated taxes that could result from the new value. Creating a budget and adopting a property tax rate to support that budget are major functions of a taxing unit's governing body. This is accomplished by following truth-in-taxation requirements to ensure the public is informed of any increases. Truth-in-taxation is a concept embodied in the Texas Constitution and the Tax Code that requires local taxing units to make taxpayers aware of tax rate proposals and to afford taxpayers the opportunity to roll back or limit tax increases.

Proposed amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot

From the Texas Legislative Council

Constitutional amendments

Click here for details and to view more covers

Can a newspaper decline to run same-sex wedding announcements?

Attorney's Opinion by Alicia Calzada, Haynes & Boone, LLP

Volunteers are needed to judge the Maryland Delaware DC Press Association's advertising contest. Volunteering to judge is a great way to see the most innovative ideas from newspapers in other parts of the country.

Winners' Circle

The Results of the 2015 Texas Better Newspaper Contest

Download a pdf of the Winners' Circle Publication

Logos for winning newspapers: eps pdf

Summer retreat will feature experts in national security, technology, oil and gas and mental health

Texas Press Association members will convene in Austin June 18-20 for the 2015 TPA Leadership Retreat. The retreat will begin June 18 with the Robert Burns Golf Classic, benefiting the Texas Newspaper Foundation, followed by three days of inspiring speakers, critical group discussions and fun.  

Dear TPA members,

Texas Press Association staff members are preparing a detailed report on the 84th session of the Texas Legislature, which ends today. Look for the in-depth report in our e-newsletter in the next few days. In the meantime, here's the Readers Digest version of how newspapers fared this session:

1. TPA publishers, editors and reporters were instrumental in helping pass SB 627, which provides crucial libel protection for journalists using third-party sources to break important stories of public concern.

The Associated Press wrote the book on style – literally. The AP Stylebook is the industry standard, used by thousands of newsrooms and considered the best guide for achieving clean, consistent copy across publications or sections. This course delves into the most common style points journalists should know. It is a good refresher for the seasoned journalist or guide for the new reporter.

Registration deadline: Monday, June 15
(Registrations submitted after this date are subject to a $10 late fee)

WASHINGTON—The National Newspaper Association has again called for measurement of on-time delivery of rural mail.

Appearing in a May 19 roundtable hosted by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, NNA Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel Tonda F. Rush said Congress should follow the maxim that “what gets measured gets done.” If the U.S. Postal Service is required to report on the quality of rural mail delivery, trouble spots of late mail service will be identified and can be addressed.