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Quote of the Day
“The City of Austin is confident the ballot language is appropriate and meets all legal requirements. We also have confidence in the court system and will respond in that venue.”
— Mayor Kirk Watson, from Former candidate sues City Council over tax election ballot language
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Former candidate sues City Council over tax election ballot language
From Jo Clifton:
An former 2024 candidate for Austin mayor has filed suit against City Council over the November ballot language proposed to increase the city’s property tax rate. Last week, Council approved a $6.3 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts on October 1. That budget includes a tax rate five cents higher than the current tax rate, triggering the requirement for a tax rate election in November. Under state law, any increase higher than 3.5 percent above the current tax rate triggers an election.
Attorney Bill Aleshire, who represents Bowen, wrote in the lawsuit that the ballot language approved by Council, violates state law because it misleads voters. If voters approve the tax increase, the change will be permanent, a fact that Bowen says the ballot language does not reveal.
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Does your business (or one you admire) deserve the spotlight? This is your chance to make it happen! 🏆
The Greater Austin Business Awards (GABA) is the largest and most prestigious business event in our region, and nominations for the 2025 ceremony are now open.
Celebrate companies, like yours, across Central Texas who are making a difference whether through leadership, tech innovation, workplace excellence, or community impact.
It costs $0 and less than 30 minutes to apply. Self-nominations are encouraged. And, you don’t need to be an Austin Chamber member to participate!
Submit your nominations here: https://my.reviewr.com/s2/site/GABA_2025
Winners will be recognized at the 2025 GABA event on November 19th at the JW Marriott Austin.
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Hybrid parking east of I-35?
Portions of East Austin could see new paid and hybrid residential-permit parking zones as early as October under an initial rollout presented Tuesday week to the Community Development Commission. Transportation and Public Works staff said they plan to distribute flyers in September to residents in the affected areas, with new signage going up the following month.
The changes will be concentrated east of Interstate 35 and south of Third Street, with no expansions planned near Martin Middle School and only limited adjustments around Sanchez Elementary School.
The East Austin Parking and Transportation Management District, created in 2015, dedicates 51 percent of net parking revenue to neighborhood mobility improvements such as sidewalk projects. Staff said the proposed parking changes aim to relieve long-standing “spillover” pressure from downtown and East Sixth Street that has pushed non-resident vehicles deeper into nearby neighborhoods.
Key adjustments include adding pay-to-park and hybrid zones near high-demand areas like the Scoot Inn, Cosmic Coffee, and East Cesar Chavez at I-35, as well as a single hybrid block on the 1200 block of Holly Street. Staff said the hybrid model will come with two free residential permits per household as an incentive to offset the change for participating residents. At Sanchez Elementary, where parents voiced concerns about access during the school day, staff said they will work on parallel solutions before implementing any curb changes.
The city will study the impact of the Phase 1 changes and may explore opening 45 paid public parking spaces at the Terrazas Branch Library, while reserving 10 spaces for library use. Other future steps could include adding nighttime affordable parking options for service workers, evaluating retail-oriented paid parking blocks and considering resident-led expansion of the hybrid program. Staff emphasized that any broader rollout would be guided by neighborhood feedback rather than applied citywide.
— Chad Swiatecki
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Elsewhere in the News
In a sobering report, Austin Business Journal takes a look at the ballooning number of lots sitting empty in Austin and what it means for the housing market.
And yet, as the Statesman reports, we are still one of the fastest-growing metros in the country.
CapMetro is giving drivers “more authority” to discipline problem passangers.
KUT warns of upcoming traffic issues as classes resume at AISD.
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