Tag Archives: Texas Legislature
County kicks off damage control after Abbott yanks funding
The Travis County Commissioners Court has given county programs whose funding was recently axed by Gov. Greg Abbott a new lease on life, albeit a temporary one. On Tuesday, the court voted to keep all nine programs running through May…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Feb 8, 2017
Travis County explores ways to overcome funding cuts
Travis County raised nearly $90,000 as of Monday afternoon through an online initiative set up after Gov. Greg Abbott cut $1.5 million in grant funding over Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s new immigration policy. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) launched the fundraising…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Feb 7, 2017
Updated: 'Sanctuary City' bill clears senate committee after 16 hours of public testimony
Texas lawmakers heard hours of public testimony Thursday and into early Friday morning over a bill banning so-called “sanctuary cities” in Texas, ultimately voting early this morning 7-2 -along party lines to send the bill to the full Senate Texas…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Feb 3, 2017
Speakers at Muslim Capitol Day call for dialogue and civic engagement
Demonstrators linked arms to form a human wall around Muslims and protect them from potential protesters at the state Capitol on Tuesday for Muslim Capitol Day. Calling themselves “peace observers,” the demonstrators joined in support of Muslim participants from across…
Austin • By KUT News • Feb 1, 2017
Austin Monitor Radio: Harvey Kronberg of the 'Quorum Report'
The Quorum Report‘s Harvey Kronberg joins Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to chat about the upcoming Texas legislative session. Post is embedded below:
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Jan 23, 2017
Candidates commit to challenging Dukes
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes was sworn in to her 12th term of office to represent much of Eastern Travis County on Tuesday, despite an announcement from Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore that her office plans to present evidence to…
Local Politics • By Jack Craver • Jan 11, 2017
Subscribe to our newsletter
Reporter's Notebook: Regarding Twitter
Vela to Dukes: Time to go… Embattled state Rep. Dawnna Dukes (Austin) has reneged on her promise to step down from her seat, leaving in limbo those who were hoping to replace her and actively campaigning to do so. One of…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Jan 9, 2017
Liquor tax cut a top priority for music venue lobbying group
Music venues in Austin are lining up to try to get their state liquor tax rates reduced in a bid that’s being presented as a needed step to preserve clubs and bars that heavily promote live music. The effort is…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 15, 2016
State lawmakers veer into robot car conversation
The transportation buzz around the state Capitol during the buildup to the 85th Texas Legislature has included word of statewide ride-hailing regulations, toll road reform and now – perhaps inevitably – autonomous vehicles. The House Transportation Committee on Wednesday hosted…
Transportation • By Caleb Pritchard • Dec 8, 2016
Legislature makes tax caps a priority, cities respond
Well-worn battle lines between the city and state were retraced Tuesday, as the Texas Legislature made it clear that it would be making property tax caps a priority this session. The response from area cities was just as clear. Sen.…
Texas State Legislature • By Elizabeth Pagano • Nov 30, 2016
County official: Political gridlock and local preemption loom at the Capitol
The Texas Legislature is returning to Austin in just 47 days, and Travis County is bracing for impact. On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court’s field team at the Capitol gave a grim forecast of political headwinds to come once the 85th…
Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Nov 23, 2016
Is Austin a sanctuary city? Good question.
Attempts to eliminate so-called sanctuary cities has begun anew with another Texas legislative session and new national leadership that has singled out these municipalities. And while Austin is often labeled a sanctuary city, it’s not clear that the city indeed…
