Cities across the nation are facing the same housing crunch that Austin has spent recent years trying to correct, with a new report from Realtor.com showing a gap of 3.8 million houses and apartment units across the country. Those findings served as the jumping-off point for Monday’s South by Southwest panel discussion that included Mayor […]
City Hall
Posted inBudget
Technology Commission approves FY 26 budget recommendations to address digital equity
Austin’s Technology Commission unanimously approved five recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, based on a digital needs assessment, to address digital equity in Austin including funding for affordable devices, expanded public internet access and increased digital skills training for underserved residents. City staff presented findings from the city of Austin and Travis County’s collaborative […]
Posted inAustin
Watson warns of Austin’s ‘budget asteroids’ in speech to real estate council
At last week’s annual address to the Real Estate Council of Austin, Mayor Kirk Watson stressed a number of “budget asteroids” the city could face as a result of upcoming state and federal policy decisions. Along with the potential impact of tariffs on international goods, Watson explained to the room filled with developers and other […]
Posted inCity Council
Prompted by convention center controversy, Council seeks changes to public art program
In response to increasing scrutiny over Austin’s handling of public art, City Council voted Thursday to modernize the Art in Public Places program by updating policies to prevent mishandlings like the controversial deaccessioning of artwork at the Austin Convention Center. The resolution, which was approved on the consent agenda, follows a heated debate over the […]
Posted inAustin
Following Trump’s lead, Abbott orders state workers to return to offices
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office has quietly directed heads of state agencies to phase out hybrid-work schedules and require all employees to return to the office five days a week “as soon as practicable” under state law, according to multiple accounts from state employees. Abbott’s mandate comes as President Donald Trump doubled down during his Tuesday […]
Posted inTipSheets
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 3.6.25
The Austin City Council will meet today to vote on an abbreviated agenda – just 48 items – but we managed to find a few things to dive into nonetheless. As usual, the entire agenda and backup is also available online and is available to the thorough here. On today’s modest agenda, the biggest item […]
Posted inCity Council
Council sets the stage for more short-term rental regulations, with tax collection to begin in April
The city will soon begin requiring platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo to collect and remit Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues on behalf of short-term rental properties, marking the first in a number of expected changes in the industry. The change, which goes into effect April 1, is aimed at closing loopholes that have allowed thousands […]
Posted inCity Council
Council solidifies transparency in labor talks over APA’s opposition
City Council on Thursday approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s transparency policy in labor negotiations, despite objections from the Austin Police Association president. The one-page resolution, introduced by Ryan Alter, reiterates the city’s policy that meet-and-confer and collective bargaining discussions with public safety unions are publicly recorded and broadcast. It also ensures that documents exchanged […]
Posted inCity Council
Council will likely delay implementing new STR rules pending legislative action
Austin City Council today will consider an overhaul of the city’s short-term rental regulations but is expected to delay implementing most changes until the summer. At Tuesday’s work session, Mayor Kirk Watson suggested pausing the new rules pending the outcome of several STR-related bills before the state Legislature. “There are some key aspects of what […]
Posted inAustin
Panelists cite city, state programs among positives for health of Austin music scene
Praising attempts by the city and state to offer more support for Austin’s musicians and live music venues, panelists weighing in on the state of the city’s music scene were upbeat Tuesday during a discussion at the LBJ Presidential Library. The Future Forum discussion on the health of Austin’s vaunted music ecosystem cycled through the […]
Posted inTipSheets
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 2.27.25
Austin City Council will meet today for their regular meeting and, looking over the agenda, it promises to be a shorter meeting, for the most part. As for the other part, Council is poised to consider, if not adopt, new regulations for short-term rentals today. Mayor Kirk Watson (who usually gets his way) has suggested […]
Posted inAustin
December Parks and Recreation Department report identifies needs for senior and recreation facilities
Last week, Jesús Aguirre, the new director of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), sent a memo summarizing the findings of the department’s Recreation and Senior Center Facility Assessment and Gap Analysis Report. The report, released in December, identified priority areas in need of new senior and rec centers and highlighted some renovation and repair […]