Unlike General Law cities, which look to the State to tell them what they may do, Home Rule cities look to the Texas Constitution and State laws to see what they are forbidden to do. Home Rule was established by Texas voters in 1912 and enabling legislation was passed in 1913.
San Antonio has a Council-Manager form of government with a ten-member City Council. Councilmembers are elected by District, while the Mayor is elected at-large. The term of office for the Mayor and all members of the City are two-year terms, for not more than four (4) full terms of office.
The Texas Constitution provides that the legislature, by a two-thirds vote of all members of each house, may propose amendments revising the constitution and that proposed amendments must then be submitted for approval to the qualified voters of the state.
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.
Characteristics of home rule cities There is no upper limit on the population size for home rule cities (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, etc.)
In 1879, California became the second state to authorize home rule when its new constitution was adopted. Other states conferring home rule rights for cities during the remaining years of the 19th century included Minnesota and Washington."
In 1951, the City of San Antonio adopted its current Charter and became a Council-Manager form of government. The Charter was written by an elected Charter Commission chaired by Walter W. McAllister and has been amended multiple times.
The Texas Constitution gives home-rule cities, such as the City of San Antonio, broad authority—with specific restrictions—to adopt ordinances to meet the unique needs of our residents. General-law cities, in contrast, operate only within specific powers granted by the Texas Constitution or Texas law.