Tag Archives: Texas Legislature
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…
Austin • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Nov 16, 2016
Council OKs legislative teams, agenda for 2017
City Council on Thursday approved the city’s legislative agenda, along with the hiring of 10 consultants in Austin and two in Washington, D.C. The Austin consultants altogether will receive $708,000, and the two Congressional consultants will receive $174,000. The vote…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Oct 21, 2016
Cole, Deshotel likely candidates for Dukes' seat
On Monday morning, as soon as Austin state Rep. Dawnna Dukes shared her plans to retire in January, the buzz began about who would run for her District 46 seat. The Quorum Report carried the news of Dukes’ plan to…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Sep 27, 2016
Lawmakers consider changes to local petitions and bond elections
It was as if they’d been studying Austin’s recent petition haps and mishaps. State lawmakers on the House Elections Committee began hearing testimony Thursday on possible legislative changes to how local petition ballots and bond elections are run. Several of…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Sep 23, 2016
State report outlines potential new locations for Austin State Hospital
Austin is home to one of the first mental health care facilities in Texas, but state lawmakers are considering selling the property and relocating the facility. The Austin State Hospital admits about 4,000 patients a year, serving 39 counties. But…
Development • By Syeda Hasan • Sep 21, 2016
Capitol view corridor dashes longshot hopes for county courthouse plan
The Texas Legislature has no interest in helping Travis County build a new civil courthouse across the street from its existing one if it means blocking protected views of the State Capitol, according to state Sen. Kirk Watson. “I don’t…
Planning • By Caleb Pritchard • Aug 31, 2016
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Elysium Park angst: From City Hall to Israel
Last Thursday, many of those watching the City Council meeting were left befuddled by an exchange that took place late in the meeting over a proposed affordable housing project at 3300 Oak Creek Drive. Both the developer and the neighborhood…
Housing • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 9, 2016
Hyde Park neighborhood groups divided over future of Austin State Hospital
State leaders are considering selling the Austin State Hospital, a historic facility near the Hyde Park neighborhood, but residents are divided over the future of the site. After construction was completed in 1861, the Austin State Hospital becaome the first…
Planning • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 27, 2016
Lack of contractor oversight leaves Texas homeowners unprotected
Amir Khalil and his girlfriend, Emily Thomas, bought their duplex off of South Lamar in February, but so far, it doesn’t feel quite like home. Khalil pointed out the damage that’s left over from an incomplete remodel job on the…
Development • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 21, 2016
Hyde Park residents vote to keep state hospital, but Texas lawmakers will decide its fate
For more than a century, the Austin State Hospital has been a fixture in Hyde Park. While the facility near Guadalupe and 41st streets is primarily a psychiatric hospital, its winding trails and tree-lined campus are a popular recreational space…
Development • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 14, 2016
State considering sale of land in Central and West Austin
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is considering the sale of state-owned land totaling 223 192 acres on two sites in Central and West Austin. The first step is a study, currently underway, to determine the feasibility of relocating…
Development • By Vicky Garza • Jun 10, 2016
Uber and Lyft swing by the Legislature
Uber and Lyft were back in Austin on Wednesday afternoon for a rambling hearing at the State Capitol that also featured several upstart competitors, representatives from friendly and not-so-friendly cities and at least one NFL Hall of Famer. The State…
