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- How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin
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- Council Member Mike Siegel will speak out against cuts to federal services
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Tag Archives: Texas Legislature
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…
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
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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
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…
