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Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast — Government
Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast

The Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool proudly introduces the Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast Series. The Pool is producing this regular podcast series, which has been dubbed STP, 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. City council members 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.

Copyright: © 2024 Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 47: The Texas Municipal League and the TML Risk Pool – Scott Houston’s Reflections After 25 Years of Service Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

After more than two decades serving Texas cities—and five impactful years with the TML Risk Pool—Scott Houston signs off with a thoughtful and candid conversation about a career dedicated to public service. In this special episode of the “Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast,” Scott reflects on how the Texas Municipal League and the Risk Pool have evolved to meet the changing needs of their members, from legal challenges to politics to emerging risks and innovative coverage solutions.

With perspective shaped by years in the trenches, Scott shares insights on what makes the TML and the Pool unique, why relationships matter more than ever, and how collaboration continues to strengthen local governments across Texas. It’s part retrospective, part roadmap for the future—and a fitting sendoff from a trusted voice in the municipal community.

Episode 46: Monumental Reduction in Law Enforcement Fatalities Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

The number of law enforcement professionals nationwide who died on duty in 2025 decreased 25 percent compared to the same time period in 2024, according to preliminary data provided by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). The NLEOMF data shows that 111 federal, state, county, municipal, and U.S. Territories officers died in the line of duty in 2025, compared to the 148 officers who died in 2024. The 111 line-of-duty deaths in 2025 represents a near-historic low. The last time annual officer fatalities were at a comparable level was in 1943, when 94 officers were killed in the line of duty.

In this episode, Scott visits with Risk Pool Law Enforcement Consultants Chase Stapp and Joseph Florance, about the reduction. You’ll hear about efforts like the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Vincible training program, along with the risk management outreach by Chase and Joseph. Members are encouraged to reach out to Chase and Joe at lawenforcementoutreach@tmlirp.org or 512-491-2440 for a no-cost consultation designed to promote excellence in law enforcement.

Further Information

o National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF)

o Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Vincible Training Program

o TML Risk Pool Police and Fire Resources

o TML Risk Pool Training

o The Pool’s Role in Supporting Excellence in Law Enforcement – A Preliminary Report for Board of Trustees Consideration (2023)

o TML Risk Pool’s Support for Excellence in Law Enforcement – Summary of Actions(2023)

o TML Risk Pool’s Support for Excellence in Law Enforcement – Progress Report (2025)

Episode 9D: 2026 DIR-Certified Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Training: Featuring the Cyber Guy and Hacker Hank!! Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Texas Government Code Section 2054.5191 mandates artificial intelligence and cybersecurity training for local government employees, elected officials, and appointed officials who have access to a local government computer system or database and use a computer to perform at least 25 percent of their duties. The training must be certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) — both this podcast and the YouTube video linked to the left are DIR-approved.
This episode isn’t some boring episode. Instead, join the Risk Pool Cyber Guy — Ryan Burns — and his buddy — Hacker Hank — as they discuss ways that “Hank Hacks” trick local government employees into sending money, downloading ransomware, and more, along with newly-mandated artificial intelligence training.
A local governmental entity must keep track of participants internally and certify its compliance by August 31, 2026, using the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments form.

Further Information:

OPTIONAL, self-administered cybersecurity and/or artificial intelligence test with answer key.
Artificial Intelligence Presentation

Episode 11c: January is R.O.A.D. Ready Month: One Way the Pool Helps Save Lives, Prevent Injuries, and Protect Property Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

The TML Risk Pool has seen far too many accidents and injuries in and around roadways. The Pool’s goal is to provide tools to help Members avoid them, and we’ve developed a program to do just that. R.O.A.D. Ready (The acronym stands for Recognize the Hazards; Observe People, Processes, and Equipment; Assess the Risk Level; and Determine the Safest Course of Action) is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising member awareness of dangers on and near roadways, and each January is designated as R.O.A.D. Ready month.

The program recently received national attention through publication in the June 2025 edition of Professional Safety, the American Society of Safety Professionals’ flagship monthly journal, which covers the latest safety management and injury prevention trends. The article, written by Risk Pool Safety and Loss Control Consultants Kolby Burkhart and Manny Trejo, is titled “Improving Roadways Safety: A Practical Framework to Protect Frontline Workers.”

Check out the article here and listen to this episode to hear Kolby and Manny discuss ways to keep your city R.O.A.D. Ready! The Pool extends special recognition to the following R.O.A.D. Ready month participating Members: the Lower Valley Water District and the Cities of Anthony, Mont Belvieu, Beeville, Liberty Hill, Port Neches, Nederland, Rockport, Ingleside, Portland, Jasper, Livingston, Frisco, Schertz, and Fredericksburg.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

R.O.A.D. Ready Web Page

Find Your Safety and Loss Control Consultant

Safety @ Your Fingertips Sign Up

Professional Safety Article

2024-2025 Year in Review T.I.P.S. Sheet

Texas Police Chiefs Association VINCIBLE Training Program

lawenforcementoutreach@tmlirp.org

January R.O.A.D. Ready Risk Pool Trainings:

January 6 Frisco Trenching and Excavation Awareness (1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
January 13 LVWD/Clint Loading and Transporting of Equipment (8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) Field Operations Safety (1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
January 13 & 27 Schertz Safe Police Vehicle Operations (8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
January 14 Anthony Trenching and Excavation Awareness (8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.) Work Zone Safety (10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) Field Operations Safety (1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
January 20-21 Fredericksburg Safe Police Vehicle Operations (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Episode 45: Insurance Procurement and the Use of Consultants: What You Need to Know Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Cities and other local governments aren’t required to go through a formal procurement process to join the TML Risk Pool because they are essentially self-insuring when they do so. That being said, many do for various reasons. And when they do, local officials should be aware of various industry tactics to ensure an apples-to-apples coverage comparison. In this episode, Scott visits with the Pool’s Director of Risk Services – Aaron Hardiman – about what that means and how local officials can ensure integrity in their processes.

Further Information

Claims Made v. Occurrence-Based Coverage Article

Episode 2C: Local Governments and Firearms: State Preemption of Local Authority Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, special guest host Tamara Chafin (Risk Pool’s Communications Officer) interviews Scott Houston (Risk Pool Intergovernmental Relations Manager) about the dearth of city authority in Texas to regulate firearms.

Futher Information:

Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam V5 (Comprehensive Paper in Q&A Format)

Local Governments and Firearms: Avoiding a Jam V5 (Cheat Sheet)

Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 23

Texas Local Government Code Section 229.001

Episode 44: The Pool's Loss Prevention Efforts: Working in the Texas Heat Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Texas summers are brutal and can even be deadly. Some local government employees have no choice but to work in the heat to do their jobs. For those employees, the Pool’s loss prevention provides tips and training on how to stay safe and healthy in a demanding environment. In this episode, Scott interviews Safety and Loss Control Consultant Johnny Vera about the Pool’s efforts in this area. He also hears from Risk Management Advisor Robert Hinojosa about a real story of how training can save lives.

Further Information:

Find Your Safety and Loss Control Consultant

Surviving the Texas Heat T.I.P.S. Sheet

Index to all T.I.P.S. Sheets and Publications

TML Risk Pool Training Webpage (Live and Online Training)

Episode 43: The Pool's Flood Coverage Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Our hearts are with those affected by the recent summer 2025 flooding in Texas, and the TML Risk Pool stands ready to assist its Members with Flood Coverage. Whether your entity has the coverage or not, you should know generally what it covers, for how much, and other specifics. In this episode, Scott interviews Paula Marr-Ludwig, who has been with the Pool for 37 years and managed the Pool’s underwriting department for 11 of those, about the ins-and-outs of the Pool’s Flood Coverage.

Further Information

· Flood Coverage FAQ

· FEMA Flood Maps Web Page (Search by Address)

Episode 9G: Fifteen-Minute Cyber Health Checkup for Local Leaders Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Cybersecurity preparedness and response can seem technical, confusing, and daunting for local government officials, but pretending the threat isn’t real won’t save you. The TML Risk Pool’s Cyber Squad (consisting of Cyber Risk Services Manager Ryan Burns and Senior Cybersecurity advisor Mike Bell) is here to help. Whether your entity runs off one computer or 1,000, the Squad’s Fifteen-Minute Cyber Health Checkup for Local Leaders is a very simple assessment you can use as a guide to taking action, immediately. Every step you take to being more secure is a step in the right direction. Listen in to hear Scott interview Mike about how to get started, today.

Further Information:

15-Minute Cyber Health Checkup Test
TML Risk Pool’s Cyber Liability Home Page
TML Risk Pool Cyber Squad YouTube Channel

Episode 42: 2025-2026 Rerates: A Lesson in Shared Purpose, Accountability, Equitable Responsibility, and Long-Term Sustainability Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

In this special report, you’ll hear from Jeff Thompson (Risk Pool Executive Director) as he explains the partnership that is the TML Risk Pool and the major rate drivers that affect your 2025-2026 rerates.

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