As I wrote this article on a rainy Mother’s Day, I found myself thinking about the impact my mom had on my life. She was born on an Indian reservation in northern Michigan. She became a successful small business owner, loved the outdoors, and was very strict when it came to personal responsibility and accountability.
One of her core philosophies was simple: follow the law, especially the black letters of the law, or face the consequences. There were no excuses, no “creative interpretations,” and no selective enforcement depending on who benefited.
Yes, I tried the path of creative interpretation a few times myself and heard the famous words: “Wait until your father gets home.” We all know what that meant.
The rules mattered because fairness depended on them.
Those memories came rushing back recently when I saw a comment posted on X by Texas State Representative Jeff Leach during a discussion about the opening of youth summer camps in Texas:
“The actual texts of the bills we pass should mean something. The black letters of our laws should mean everything, actually.”
It was a simple statement, but an important one.
In today’s political environment, too many people want laws to apply only when convenient or interpreted differently to fit a personal narrative, political goal, or personality involved. But the rule of law only works when the law applies equally to everyone and when violations carry clear and fair consequences.
That principle matters at every level of government. It matters in Austin. It matters in Washington. And it absolutely matters in local government.
The “black letters of the law” are not suggestions. They are the written words adopted through the legislative process. Whether discussing city charters, state statutes, development regulations, zoning laws, ETJ de-annexations, the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Texas Public Information Act, or ethics rules, elected officials do not get to ignore the portions they dislike while selectively enforcing the rest.
My mother understood something many people today seem to forget: laws create stability, predictability, and trust. Without that foundation, government becomes arbitrary and capricious, with decisions driven more by public pressure, the loudest voices in the room, politics, or personalities than by consistent principles.
My mother was a very simple person, so I can hear the conversation we would have had if she had the opportunity to read this article:
Me: “Did you like the article?”
Mom: “Isn’t it just common sense?”
Me: “Yes, Mom.”
That does not mean laws cannot change. In our republic, laws evolve over time through civil debate, elections, and legislative action. But until they change, they must be followed as written, not as someone wishes they were written.
The Texas courts are not the proper avenue to override disagreements about county subdivision regulations, charter violations, undermine private property rights, or bypass the authority of a city charter. If citizens or elected officials want different laws or different outcomes, the proper path is through the legislative process, charter amendments, or elections, not selective interpretation or attempts to ignore the law as written.
As our state and local communities continue facing difficult debates over population growth, economic development, improving infrastructure, creating safe cities, property taxes, and ethical governance, this principle becomes even more important. Citizens may disagree on policy outcomes, but the process, and the law itself, must still matter.
Final Thought
A lot of elected officials and citizens have taken a lot of grief for simply asking city councils or commissioners courts to follow the law. They are attacked in private social media groups for even suggesting that an elected body should comply with the law as written.
Maybe that lesson stayed with me because of how I was raised. On Mother’s Day, I am reminded that some of the most important lessons about leadership, accountability, and integrity are not learned in government buildings or political campaigns. Sometimes they are learned at home from parents who believed your word mattered and that the law should apply equally to everyone.
And for that reminder, I thank State Representative Jeff Leach for bringing back two of my mother’s most important lessons: laws, and common sense, still matter.
Civic Insights with David Billings
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About the Author
David Billings, former Mayor of Fate, has served the community for over a decade. A longtime business leader in the telecommunication industry, Navy veteran, and resident of Rockwall County, he brings both professional and civic experience to his writing on government, budgeting, and local economics. He is a graduate of Leadership Rockwall, North Texas Commission Leadership Program, active in several Rockwall County non-profits boards, and the American Legion.
He is passionate about civic involvement in local government, maintaining transparent governance and thoughtful strategic planning to preserve a bright future for the regions.
