Government of Pasadena, Texas facts for kids

The Government of Pasadena, Texas helps run the city and make it a good place to live. Pasadena uses a special system called a Mayor-Council government. This means there's a mayor and eight council members. Together, they make important decisions for the city, like creating laws, deciding how the city's money is spent, and setting rules for everyone.

How Pasadena's Government Works

The Mayor and City Council

The mayor is like the main leader of the city. They are chosen by all the voters in Pasadena. The mayor can serve up to two four-year terms in a row. They are in charge of managing the city's daily operations and making sure everything runs smoothly.

The City Council has eight members. Six of these members are elected by people living in specific areas called "districts" within the city. The other two members are elected by all the voters in the city, which is called "at-large." Council members serve for two years at a time. They can serve up to four two-year terms in a row.

Making Decisions and Laws

The mayor gets to vote on all the topics that the City Council discusses. If the City Council passes a new law or rule, the mayor can say "no" to it. This is called a veto. However, the City Council can still make the law happen even if the mayor says no. They can do this if most of the council members vote to override the mayor's veto.

The City Council meets once a week to talk about city issues and make decisions.

Citizens' Power in Government

People who live in Pasadena have a say in how their city is run. If enough citizens sign a petition (a formal request), they can suggest new laws for the City Council to vote on. Citizens can also use a petition to stop a law that the City Council has already passed.

If citizens are not happy with how a council member or even the mayor is doing their job, they can also use a petition to try and recall them. This means voters can ask for a special election to remove that person from office before their term is over.