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- From Round Rock’s school board to City Hall, District 6 newcomer Krista Laine gives conservatives a run for their money
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Local Politics
Audit finds short-term rental enforcement lacking
Members of the Council Audit and Finance Committee learned Monday that, though the city has had success in bringing illegal short-term rentals into compliance, those that do not come into compliance are falling through the cracks. On a positive note,…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 16, 2014
Council backs new social service contract metric
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a resolution from Council members Mike Martinez, Laura Morrison and Chris Riley that instructs City Manager Marc Ott to tie the city’s social service contract spending to the Consumer Price Index. The action, approved…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Dec 16, 2014
Election night is tonight, parties are here
There is only one way to celebrate getting through this long election season, and you might as well celebrate at a party with those who have been in the trenches with you. We have included as many post-election parties here…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 16, 2014
Reporter's Notebook: Council gets a big send-off
What was wrong with David Bowie’s “Ch-Ch-Changes”? … Thursday was the last meeting of the current City Council. Maybe it was a case of managed expectations, but given the length of the agenda, when the meeting ended at just past…
Austin • By Austin Monitor • Dec 15, 2014
Chapter 380 won't stop firms from tax protests
City Council Member Kathie Tovo’s attempt to prevent companies that enter into Chapter 380 economic development agreements with the city from appealing their property tax appraisals ended with something considerably less than that Thursday, after Council members heard from a…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Dec 12, 2014
Council OKs changes to Lone Star Rail agreement
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a set of amendments to an interlocal agreement with the Lone Star Rail District. The action clears the way for rail district officials to count the city — and funding derived from special taxing…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Dec 12, 2014
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Council scales back Riley's quarter-cent proposal
Austin City Council members Thursday declined to solely commit $20.4 million derived from Capital Metro quarter-cent funds to projects along the Airport Boulevard corridor. Instead, they opted to commit $2 million for various short-term improvements in the region. The $20.4…
Development • By Michael Kanin • Dec 12, 2014
Austin Monitor Radio: Mayor Lee Leffingwell
Retiring Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell joins Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin and Political Editor Jo Clifton to look back at his terms and look ahead to the new era in Austin politics. The show is posted below:
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Dec 11, 2014
Austin politics joins world of shadowy PAC action
Even though some political action committees have made a bigger splash in terms of negative messaging during this City Council election season, the Austin Firefighters Association, which has two political committees helping candidates, has spent the most money. Bob Nicks,…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Dec 11, 2014
Council may amend source-of-income ordinance
Austin City Council members, set to finalize an ordinance that would ban housing discrimination based on one’s source of income, will consider a language change that would bring their version of the rule in line with state and federal codes.…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Dec 11, 2014
Riley plan for quarter-cent funds raises concerns
City Council Member Chris Riley ran into concerns from both Austin city management and his Council colleagues over a plan to use $20.4 million in funds raised through a Capital Metro one-quarter-cent tax agreement for transportation infrastructure improvements along Airport…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Dec 10, 2014
Council braces for a long Thursday meeting
With a final agenda that has more than 230 items on it so far, Austin’s last at-large City Council looks determined to go out with a bang, and a really long meeting. On Tuesday, members discussed how to best deal…
