ES

TAKE ACTION

Government decisions are public decisions.

Learn who handles your issue, find the right meeting, prepare your message, and speak directly to the people with power to act.

WHO HANDLES WHAT?

City

Local ordinances, zoning, municipal streets, parks, policing, planning, local development, and some utilities.

County

County roads and services, unincorporated areas, drainage, county facilities, elections administration, and commissioners court.

Texas

State laws, public education policy, statewide health programs, transportation, state agencies, licensing, and state funding.

Federal

Immigration law, federal civil rights, national programs, interstate matters, federal environmental rules, and federal taxation.

RGV CIVIC CALENDAR

Your government meets in public.
You have a right to be there.

Choose your county or city to open its official meeting and agenda page.

These links take you directly to each government's official website, where meeting information and agendas are maintained.

COUNTIES

Hidalgo County Cameron County

CITIES

McAllen Mission Edinburg Pharr Brownsville Harlingen
Want to speak at a meeting? Use our public-comment guide to prepare a clear message and make your voice heard. Learn how to speak at a public meeting

PUBLIC COMMENT

Prepare a statement that is easy to understand and act on.

  1. Identify the decision maker. Confirm which city, county, board, agency, or legislative committee has authority.
  2. Read the agenda. Know whether your issue is listed and how the body handles public comment.
  3. Research the facts. Use official records, reliable data, and local examples.
  4. Write the request. State the problem, explain why it matters, and make one clear request.
  5. Practice for the time limit. Have a shorter version ready.
  6. Sign up and speak. Complete any required sign-up, then deliver your statement during the allotted public-comment or testimony period.
  7. Follow the issue. Monitor future agendas and decisions, and contact the responsible office when follow-up is appropriate.

Know Your Rights

For civil-liberties and immigration-rights education, Our Liberty points residents to established legal-rights resources rather than providing individualized legal advice.

ACLU Know Your Rights ↗