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Most Popular Stories
- Save Austin Now to get rehearing on enforcement of Prop B
- Austin is increasing security at city parks and greenbelts following string of car break-ins
- Advocates urge immigrants in Austin to plan – but not panic – over new Trump orders
- Documentary film highlights the history of an 1870s-era home and the story of Clarksville
- Lady Bird Lake’s water levels dropped (again), raising questions about dam’s integrity
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Texas State Legislature
Local leaders slam Abbott's special session call
The Austin area’s top two elected leaders reacted quickly and harshly to Gov. Greg Abbott’s unusual call for a special session of the 85th Texas Legislature on Tuesday afternoon. “I admit to being a little dumbfounded when I hear what…
Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Jun 7, 2017
Updated: City of Austin joins San Antonio in lawsuit against 'sanctuary cities' law
By Stephanie Federico The City of Austin has filed a legal challenge to the state’s new “sanctuary city” law, joining a suit filed Thursday by the City of San Antonio. “Elected leaders across the state are following the leadership of…
Texas State Legislature • By KUT News • Jun 2, 2017
Anti-annexation bill now biggest threat to city
Although there were numerous legislative proposals that threatened Austin at the beginning of the current session of the Texas Legislature, the one that now appears to put Austin’s ability to grow and pay for its services in greatest jeopardy is…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • May 17, 2017
City, state officials call for legal action against 'sanctuary cities' law
Government officials and community activists from across the state gathered outside the Texas Capitol on Tuesday to voice support for taking legal action to stop the so-called “sanctuary cities” law. Senate Bill 4, which goes into effect September 1, allows…
Texas State Legislature • By Syeda Hasan • May 17, 2017
Texas sues Austin, Travis County over 'sanctuary city' law
Texas is preemptively suing the city of Austin, Travis County and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund to enforce the state’s newly minted “sanctuary city” law, Senate Bill 4. The suit, filed on Monday, asks a federal court…
Texas State Legislature • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 9, 2017
How does Texas' 'sanctuary cities' bill stack up against Arizona's 'show me your papers' law?
City Council Member Greg Casar sat on the floor, his back blocking one of the two main entrances to a state building on the Capitol grounds. He’d taken a seat as part of a sit-in Monday to protest Senate Bill…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 5, 2017
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Bills threaten Austin's land use plans
Brie Franco, the city of Austin’s chief legislative strategist, gave City Council a brief update at Tuesday’s work session before rushing off to do some last minute lobbying. The city is facing a number of legislative attempts to curb its…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • May 3, 2017
Demonstrators arrested after staging sit-in at state office to protest 'sanctuary' bill
State troopers began arresting demonstrators who had staged an all-day sit-in at a state office building to protest legislation banning so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions Monday. City Council Member Greg Casar was arrested and cited with a Class B misdemeanor for Criminal…
Texas State Legislature • By KUT News • May 2, 2017
House sets the table for Uber and Lyft's return to Austin
Uber and Lyft’s self-imposed exile from Austin could be nearing the beginning of the end. On Wednesday, the Texas House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill 100 on a crucial second reading. The bill would create a statewide regulatory…
Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Apr 20, 2017
Urban Affairs Committee takes up preservation bill
A state representative will be making some changes to a bill he proposed that would set a rigorous statewide standard for historic preservation against a property owner’s objections. Discussion of Houston-area Rep. Gary Elkins’ House Bill 3418 at the April…
Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Apr 18, 2017
Texas House bill takes aim at historic preservation rules
Fans of keeping historic buildings just as they are have sounded the alarm over a legislative bill that could bring wholesale change to preservation policies across the state, including here in Austin. State Rep. Gary Elkins, a Republican from northwestern…
Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Mar 23, 2017
Legislation spotlights Austin's fair chance rules
Members of the Texas House Business & Industry Committee heard lengthy and conflicting testimony Monday on fair chance hiring regulations but did not take a vote on Austin Republican Rep. Paul Workman’s House Bill 577 – which would overturn Austin’s…
