City Council adopted a 60-day suspension on evictions Thursday that will buy tenants two months before a landlord can seek to evict them for missed rent payments. Many renters and local advocates, however, say the ordinance only kicks the can down the road for those in need rather than providing real relief for renters who […]
COVID-19
Posted inAustin
Council wants ‘bridge aid’ for residents, businesses ahead of federal COVID-19 help
City Council directed staff to move quickly in the coming weeks to allocate direct payments and other forms of aid to residents and small businesses that have taken a severe financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. A wide-reaching item passed on the consent agenda Thursday directs city staffers to “develop programs to support Austinites that […]
Posted inHousing
Rent deferred. Full amount due. What landlords are telling tenants during the COVID-19 crisis.
It’s a hell of a time to try to open a restaurant. That’s what Steven Kresena was thinking last week as he watched Austin Mayor Steve Adler order all restaurants and bars closed to diners in an attempt to stall the spread of the coronavirus. Kresena had just inspected the tile in his new restaurant, […]
Posted inBudget
City, county taxes could climb 8 percent under emergency declaration
A provision included in the Texas Legislature’s “property tax transparency” bill could offer jurisdictions across the state, including the city of Austin, the financial flexibility necessary to deal with some of the economic impacts of COVID-19. According to an update from the Texas Municipal League, when Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster on March […]
Posted inCity Hall
Council vote could allow online board and commission meetings during COVID-19 quarantine
The city’s boards and commissions, which have been sidelined since mid-March because of bans on large gatherings linked to the spread of COVID-19, could get the green light to hold virtual meetings. Today City Council is expected to vote on temporarily waiving local ordinance 2-1-6(E) that requires all members of a board or commission to […]
Posted inElections
Worrying about elections in the time of coronavirus
While some people may be worrying about their health or their business, it is Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir’s job to worry about elections. One of her major worries is how she’s going to conduct the July 14 runoffs for the Democratic and Republican primaries. After that, she wonders if the coronavirus will still be […]
Posted inPolice
APD’s curtailed operations could impact equity
Last week, the Austin Police Department announced changes to its daily operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there will be no change to the department’s response to critical calls where life and safety are jeopardized, smaller offenses and administrative tasks have taken a back seat. APD will no longer respond to low-priority calls […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Eckhardt to remain county judge until May 13
In yet another unprecedented decision linked to COVID-19, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt will not be stepping down from county government after all, despite her March 10 resignation. Eckhardt said at a press conference Monday that she could not have foreseen the developing impact of the pandemic. She explained that she will continue to lead county […]
Posted inAustin
Updated: Austin issues shelter-in-place order to stop coronavirus spread
The City of Austin has issued an order for residents to stay at home except to do essential activities to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday and lasts until at least April 13. The order requires all nonessential businesses to have employees work from home […]
Posted inCity Council
City Council to vote on anti-eviction ordinance Thursday
City Council will vote Thursday on establishing a 60-day grace period for renters in an emergency ordinance released Monday. The ordinance, which is sponsored by Council members Greg Casar, Kathie Tovo, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and Mayor Steve Adler will create a two-month grace period before eviction proceedings can begin due to nonpayment of […]
Posted inAustin
Continued restaurant closures could mean 21,000 lost jobs by summer
A prolonged shutdown of area restaurants into the late spring and summer months is projected to result in 21,000 lost jobs throughout Travis County, with $738 million in total lost wages. Those figures come from an analysis of restaurant industry data that federal officials are using to determine the size of an aid package to […]
Posted inTransit
COVID-19 produces immediate need for workers at Cap Metro
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority system ridership has fallen every day since March 10 as the effects of the coronavirus spread throughout Austin, but the transit agency is increasing its workforce in order to remain reliable and safe for those in need of public transit during the crisis. Although Capital Metro has scaled back service for […]