Michael Kanin

Hidden amongst this week’s City Council-sponsored resolutions is one that could provide a change to the way the City Council awards contracts. Whether the change is a minor one that merely saves time and offers the Council flexibility or a major one that encourages lobbying depends on how it is implemented.   Posting language would […]

As the Austin City Council convenes in a special called budget session this morning, members could be looking at a roomful of people wanting to talk to them about the city budget, water rates and taxes. Or perhaps not.   The Council is meeting at 9:30am to take care of a number of matters regarding […]

Sales tax rebates to the City of Austin were $11.4 million in July compared to $10.7 million in July 2009, an increase of 7.1 percent, according to the city Chief Financial Officer Leslie Browder.   Her office reported on Thursday that current period collections for the city, as reported by the State Comptroller, are up 7.3 percent (not including possible variances like […]

Over the last decade, the folks on the City Council have managed to pull together both business and environmental groups for solid support of bond packages. For this year’s transportation bonds, almost everyone jumped on board — from the Chamber of Commerce to the Sierra Club.   However, the board of the Real Estate Council […]

Reagan National Advertising on Thursday filed suit against the City of Austin, alleging that the fees it charges for billboard registration are unfair and illegal.   Attorney Russ Horton filed the suit in federal court on the billboard company’s behalf.   Company president Bill Reagan told In Fact Daily he had tried to work with […]