STP Podcast

The Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool is proud to produce the Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast Series to help local officials (and managers and staff) understand key operational and legal concepts and the services the Pool provides. After arming Members with that information, each 15-minute episode will give easy action items to help keep your citizens, employees, volunteers, and property safe, all while saving public dollars.

Your host is Scott Houston, the Pool’s Intergovernmental Relations Manager. Scott served the Texas Municipal League for over 20 years, the last half as general counsel. He has served as an adjunct professor, been published in the Texas Tech Administrative Law Journal, and has received awards from the American Bar Association, Texas Bar, and International Municipal Lawyers Association. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in political science and — after studying law in Austria and Argentina — received his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

The Pool provides financial strength and stability through a partnership with over 2,800 local governments, providing workers’ compensation coverage to over 165,000 public servants, and protecting more than $48 billion in property. The collective success makes Members Stronger, Together, demonstrated through the Pool’s core values:

Integrity: Serving with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
Public Service: Serving the public good – for the benefit of local governments and their tax-paying citizens.
Fiscal Responsibility: Responsibly managing our Members’ pooled funds for the protection of their financial stability.
Operational Excellence: Delivering excellent Member service in all components of risk financing and loss prevention services.

Employee Drug Testing: An Interview with Dripping Springs City Attorney Laura Mueller

Posted November 10, 2023

In this episode, Scott interviews Dripping Springs City Attorney and Texas City Attorneys Association Board Member Laura Mueller. In it, Laura explains how the law limits the circumstances in which a city or other local government can drug test its employees. Lots of entities are improperly drug testing employees, and this short interview can help set them straight. Check out the podcast as usual or watch the interview by clicking on the video.

Further Information:
“Weeding Out Bad Employees: Random Drugs Testing and Cities 2023 Update” prepared by Laura Mueller and recently presented to the Texas City Attorneys Association.

The TML Risk Pool’s 50th Anniversary:
Here’s What You Need to Know

Posted October 5, 2023

In this special, abbreviated episode, Scott welcomes you back from the TML Annual Conference and Exhibition and explains more about the TML Risk Pool and what we offer our Members. He describes a few of the Pool’s most important Member benefits and encourages elected officials to learn more by reviewing the 50th Anniversary Pamphlet. In it, you’ll learn about why TML created the Pool, why we’re the best value proposition for cities, and our coverages and loss prevention services. Reach out to Scott at scott.houston@tmlirp.org with questions or comments!

Further Information:
TML Risk Pool’s 50th Anniversary Pamphlet

Code Enforcement Officers: Certification and Training, Practical Challenges, and Legal Pitfalls

Posted August 4, 2023

In this episode, Scott explains State of Texas code enforcement officer certification and training, and he interviews City of Irving Assistant City Manager Teresa Adrian, Code Enforcement Director Shain Diller, and Deputy City Attorney Janet Spugnardi about practical and legal challenges related to code enforcement.

Further Information:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation New Code Enforcement Officer in Training Registration
Texas Department of State Health Services Code Enforcement Certification and Training Website
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Basic Code Enforcement Officer Training

“The Texas Public Information Act: The Information Business”

Posted August 19, 2022

In this episode, Scott: (1) explains the basics of the Public Information Act; and (2) interviews three city secretaries and an open government analyst for practical tips and advice.

Further information:
Texas Attorney General’s Public Information Act Handbook
Texas Attorney General’s Mandatory Public Information Act Training
Texas Municipal League Public Information Act Resources
Texas Attorney General’s Charges for Public information Resources

“Temporary Custodians — Public Information on Private Devices and Accounts”

Posted June 21, 2022

Explains: (1) that work-related local government information held on private devices or in private accounts is public information; and (2) that a local government official or employee is a “temporary custodian” responsible for maintaining that information according to certain procedures.

Further information:
Temporary Custodian Q&A
Attorney General Public Information Act Handbook Excerpts
Texas State Library and Archives Commission Records Retention Website

“Special Edition: My Three Most Compelling Episodes”

Posted April 12, 2022

In this episode, you’ll hear: (1) about the STP Series and how it can help elected officials and other local officials and employees keep their citizens, employees, volunteers, and property safe, all while saving public dollars; (2) from a podcast fan and the Pool’s Executive Director about the benefits of the series; and (3) segments from three special episodes.

Further information:
TML Risk Pool "Texans Helping Texans" Video

“Contractual Risk Transfer"

Posted March 4, 2022

Explains: (1) the importance of shifting risk to the appropriate parties to a contract; and (2) the essential provisions that should be included in any major or high-exposure contract.

Further information:
TML Risk Pool’s Risk Transfer and Contract Strategies
Thomson Reuters (Westlaw): Contract Drafting or Review for Local Governments
Public Risk management Association Insurance Requirements in Contracts: Tips for Effectively Transferring Risk Podcast

“Risk Pool Human Resources Training: Top Three Human Resources Challenges and Opportunities"

Updated and Reposted December 2, 2022

Explains: (1) the three most common human resources challenges and opportunities for local government employees; (2) training provided by the Pool to address behaviors that cause unhealthy conflict in the workplace.

Further information:
Risk Pool Loss Prevention Department (Training and More)
TML Risk Pool’s “Call Before You Fire Program”
Employment Law Manual for Texas Cities
Texas Municipal Human Resources Association
State Law Sexual Harassment Update

“Are You R.O.A.D. Ready?"

Posted January 5, 2022

R.O.A.D. Ready is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising Member awareness of dangers on and near roadways. The Pool will provide participating Members with: (1) specifically designed resources and training to mitigate roadway risks; and (2) promotional materials to show they are R.O.A.D. Ready.

The Pool launched the program in January 2022 and has designated each successive January as R.O.A.D. Ready month. To participate, a Member should: (1) make a commitment to becoming R.O.A.D. Ready by providing internal roadway safety training or using the Pool’s resources to do so; and (2) participating in national roadway, vehicle, or work zone programs.

In this episode, you’ll hear more about why this initiative came about and why it’s so important.

Further information:
R.O.A.D. Ready home page

“First Responder Workers’ Compensation Benefits — The Facts”

Posted July 28, 2022

Mentions a recent Texas Observer assertion that the Pool mistreated three first responders and explains that: (1) the Pool never tries to claw back benefits already received in a benefits determination appeal; (2) the workers’ compensation beneficiary determination process can seem calloused; and (3) appeal lawsuits are about determining who is the appropriate beneficiary.

Further information:
First Responder Workers’ Compensation Beneficiaries: The Facts

“Workers' Compensation: First Responder Disease Presumption”

Posted November 9, 2021

Listen to "Workers' Compensation: First Responder Disease Presumption," the second part of the tenth episode in the TML Risk Pool’s STP Series.

The TML Risk Pool provides workers’ compensation coverage for thousands of first responders. State law provides a special workers’ comp benefit to those employees, known as the disease presumption law. Simply put, the law “presumes” that first responders contracted certain diseases on the job for purposes of workers’ comp benefits. In this episode, you’ll hear about the presumption, how it’s administered, and how the Pool partners with Members to help guide them through the complex process.

Further information:
Texas Department of Insurance - Division of Workers’ Compensation First Responder FAQ
Texas Government Code Chapter 607

“Workers' Comp: Taking Care of Your Employees"

Posted October 14, 2021

The TML Risk Pool provides workers’ compensation coverage for more than 200,000 local government employees, and receives around 10,000 claims per year. The Workers’ Compensation Department is the largest of all the Pool’s departments, largely because the workers compensation process is highly-regulated by the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Texas Department of Insurance. In this episode, you’ll hear from key Pool staff about the process and how it’s administered, most importantly how we partner with Members to help guide them through the complex process.

Further information:
Texas Political Subdivision Workers’ Compensation Alliance
Texas Department of Insurance - Division of Workers’ Compensation
Division of Worker’s Compensation – Performance-Based Oversight Results
Workers’ Compensation At-a-Glance TIPS
Presentation: Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Process

Lubbock Firefighter Matt Dawson Receiving Risk Pool Worker’s Compensation Benefits:
Everything Lubbock
KCBD

“Cyber Bytes #2 – Welcome Back Hacker Hank!”

Posted September 15, 2023

In this episode, Scott introduces the second of several short cybersecurity training videos. This isn’t some boring webinar. No way. Instead, join the Risk Pool Cyber Guy, Ryan Burns, and his buddy Hacker Hank as they continue to educate you about all sorts of cyber perils. These videos are hilarious! You can listen in traditional podcast format, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t watch the nine-minute YouTube video version linked next to this episode! If you can identify which pool employee plays Hacker Hank, email Scott at scott.houston@tmlirp.org for the chance to win a prize!

Further information:
DIR Cyber Incident Reporting Requirement

“Cyber Bytes #1 – Hank’s Hacks!”

Posted March 3, 2023

In this episode, Scott introduces the first of several short cyber security training videos. This isn’t some boring webinar. No way. Instead, join the Risk Pool Cyber Guy, Ryan Burns – and his buddy Hacker Hank – as they discuss “Hank’s Hacks,” which are the most common ways a hacker tricks local government employees into sending money, downloading ransomware, and more. This video is hilarious! You can listen in traditional podcast format, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t watch the nine-minute YouTube video version linked next to this episode! If you can identify which pool employee plays Hacker Hank, email Scott at scott.houston@tmlirp.org for the chance to win a prize!

Further information:
DIR Cyber Incident Reporting Requirement

"Cybersecurity: Are You Prepared?"

Updated and Reposted May 5, 2023

Local governments, in addition to the nuts-and-bolts services they provide, are actually just as much in the business of providing and maintaining information, and local officials should recognize that they should work at it just as hard at protecting that information as they do providing law enforcement and maintaining streets and water lines.

You’ve got to think of cybersecurity as part of your daily work serving and protecting your residents. In today’s world, you just can’t afford to be unprepared – that’s true whether your population is 250,000 or 250.

In this episode, you’ll hear why local governments are frequently targeted by cyber-criminals, how the Risk Pool can help you avoid trouble on the front end, and that we’ve got your back should you get hacked.

Further information:
TML Risk Pool’s Cyber-Liability Home Page
TML Risk Pool’s State-Mandated Cyber-Security Training
Will Trevino’s Cybersecurity Blog
CPM Applied Research: Steps in Building a Successful Cybersecurity Protocol
DIR Cyber Incident Reporting Requirement

Texas City Attorneys Association: Cyber Security is a Risky Business:
PowerPoint Presentation
Paper
Cyber-Breach Checklist

“Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam”
Posted July 8, 2021

The information in this episode becomes effective on September 1, 2021. In this episode, we talk about whether local governments can prohibit — or allow — employees to actually carry a gun while at work, and how that can affect your workplace and your risk of a lawsuit.

Further information:
Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam V4 (Comprehensive Paper in Q&A Format)
Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam V4 (Cheat Sheet)

“Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam”
Posted July 9, 2021

The information in this episode becomes effective on September 1, 2021. Explains the authority of a local government to prohibit or allow employees with a license to carry a handgun at work, the potential liability for doing so, and basics of the Pool’s coverage.

Further information:
Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam V4 (Comprehensive Paper in Q&A Format)
Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam V4 (Cheat Sheet)
November 2021 Update: Licensed Carry in Meetings

City Officials and Attorneys, did you know?

City councilmembers can earn up to 19 Texas Municipal League Institute CEUs for listening to the podcasts. To receive CEUs for a particular episode, an elected official must provide a description of the episode, which must be educational in nature, pertain to municipal leadership, and should enhance your service as an elected official, for TML approval.

Attorneys who listen to podcasts may be eligible for up to three hours of self-study CLE credit. Please refer to the State Bar CLE compliance rules for more information.

Educating members through discussions about key legal issues and Pool services.

Episode 29

Employee Drug Testing: An Interview with Dripping Springs City Attorney Laura Mueller

Posted November 10, 2023

Episode 28

The TML Risk Pool’s 50th Anniversary: Here’s What You Need to Know

Posted October 5, 2023

Episode 27

Code Enforcement Officers: Certification and Training, Practical Challenges, and Legal Pitfalls

Posted August 4, 2023

Episode 26

Podcast en Español: "Manténte Segura en el Trabajo! (Stay Safe at Work!)"

Posted June 30, 2023

Episode 25

“2023 Reinsurance Discussion: What it Is, Why the Pool Has It, and How the Pool Uses It"

Posted June 9, 2023

Episode 24

“2023 Rerates, the State of the Pool, and More"

Posted June 2, 2023

Episode 23

“An Interview with Risk Pool Assistant Director Mike Rains: Lessons Learned from 37 Years”

Posted March 3, 2023

Episode 22

“Texas Town & City Magazine: How Cities Work”

Posted February 3, 2023

Episode 21

“An Interview with Board of Trustees Chair Mary M. Dennis”

Posted November 11, 2022

Episode 20

“Crimes and Coverage”

Posted October 21, 2022

Episode 19

“Member Service Managers: Your Gateway to the Pool”

Posted September 2, 2022

Episode 18

“The Texas Public Information Act: The Information Business”

Posted August 19, 2022

Episode 17

“Temporary Custodians — Public Information on Private Devices and Accounts”

Posted June 21, 2022

Episode 16a

“Lessons from Hurricane Ian: Are You Prepared?”

Posted March 31, 2023

Episode 16

“Are You Prepared: Before, During and After the Storm”

Posted June 16, 2022

Episode 15

“An Interview with Executive Director Jeff Thompson”

Posted June 24, 2022

Episode 14

“Special Edition: My Three Most Compelling Episodes”

Posted April 12, 2022

Episode 13

“Contractual Risk Transfer"

Posted March 4, 2022

Episode 12 REDUX

“Risk Pool Human Resources Training: Top Three Human Resources Challenges and Opportunities"

Updated and Reposted December 2, 2022

Episode 11

“Are You R.O.A.D. Ready?"

Posted January 5, 2022

Episode 10c

“First Responder Workers’ Compensation Benefits — The Facts”

Posted July 28, 2022

Episode 10b

“Workers' Compensation: First Responder Disease Presumption”

Posted November 9, 2021

Episode 10a

“Workers' Comp: Taking Care of Your Employees"

Posted October 14, 2021

Episode 9b

“Cyber Bytes #2 – Welcome Back Hacker Hank!”

Posted September 15, 2023

Episode 9a

“Cyber Bytes #1 – Hank’s Hacks!”

Posted March 3, 2023

Episode 9 Redux

"Cybersecurity: Are You Prepared?"

Updated and Reposted May 5, 2023

Episode 8

The TML Risk Pool’s 50th Anniversary:
Here’s What You Need to Know

“An Interview with Board of Trustees
Chair Mary M. Dennis”

“Keep Your Police Officers Safe: TPCA’s Vincible Program”
Recorded in May 2021

“The storm has passed, now what? The Pool’s BEST Roofing and Enhanced Property Damage Recovery Programs”
Recorded May, 13, 2021

“Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam”
Posted July 8, 2021

“Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam”
Posted July 9, 2021

“What’s the City Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast Series and Why I Should be Listening?”
Posted April 23, 2021