Texas Republicans and Democrats will be going to the polls on March 5 to select their candidates for the November election. But another election is coming in May, and the only people who get a chance to vote in it are those who live in the Lost Creek Municipal Utility District or one of five […]
Texas Legislature
The state’s legislative governing body composed of the House and Senate.
Posted inCourts
CEO of Austin-based BookPeople ‘ecstatic’ over decision blocking law that restricts library books
The CEO of BookPeople said she is “ecstatic” the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday blocked a Texas law that sought to restrict which books are available in school libraries. “I’m so, so happy that they upheld the lower court’s ruling and that they understood and agreed with the unconstitutionality of the law as written,” […]
Posted inParks
New law means parkland funds will drop drastically
The amount of parkland dedication fees City Council can collect starting on Jan. 1 will be severely limited, two principal planners for the Parks and Recreation Department told Council at Tuesday’s work session. Robynne Heymans and Scott Grantham explained that PARD is working on changes to the city ordinance as required by a new state […]
Posted inEducation
Rural schools near Austin say they feel left behind as governor pushes for vouchers
For Randy Willis, public schools are crucial to rural communities. “I think the rural schools are the heart of Texas. They’re the backbone of Texas,” he said. Willis is the executive director of the Texas Association of Rural Schools, which represents about 375 small districts. He thinks the state’s Republican leaders may have forgotten the role […]
Posted inCourts
A new Texas law could get prosecutors fired for not pursuing charges. Here’s how it works.
A new state law could lead to the firing of elected prosecutors who refuse to take on certain crimes like low-level pot offenses. Supporters of the law say these “rogue” prosecutors should be thrown out of office. Opponents say the law makes it difficult to effectively do the jobs prosecutors were elected to do. There […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council approves development changes as required by state law
With several new state laws going into effect on Friday, Sept. 1, Austin City Council approved some significant changes to the rules governing the city’s Development Services Department this past Thursday. Most of those changes are aimed at making it easier for developers to get through the city’s often lengthy development review process. The city […]
Posted inBudget
Integral Care, Austin’s largest mental health care provider, approves 48 layoffs in next budget
Integral Care, the mental health authority for Austin-Travis County, voted Thursday to approve a budget that eliminates nearly 10 percent of its positions. Along with the 48 individuals who were identified for layoffs, 67 vacant positions were also cut. Employees in the union United Workers of Integral Care said layoffs would further strain staff already struggling […]
Posted inCity Council
Council approves push to make air conditioning a requirement in Austin
This summer, a stretch of hot, dry weather in Austin has tested everyone’s patience. The record-high heat has also posed a danger to those not lucky enough to feel the relief of air conditioning. A new City Council resolution looks to make sure that’s as few people as possible. The resolution, approved by Council on […]
Posted inPublic Health
Greg Casar calls for national standard to prevent heat-related illness, deaths on construction sites
Amid an oppressive summer, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar is calling on the federal government to enact stricter protections for workers to ensure they don’t suffer heat-related illness on the job. Casar, a former City Council member whose congressional district includes parts of Austin and San Antonio, led efforts to establish the city’s local protections, which […]
Posted inEducation
More Austin ISD students will eat breakfast for free after Texas ups funding for school meals
On a bright, hot July day, students trickle into the cafeteria at Akins Early College High School in South Austin. There, they can grab chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches, carrots and peas, fresh fruit and a roll for free. They’re greeted by Austin ISD employees, like Roland Cortez. Cortez, who is the food service manager at […]
Posted inPreservation
East Austin demolition forces landmark commission to grapple with higher powers
Though their comments held no official weight, Historic Landmark Commission members had things to say about a state law that prohibits the city from intervening in the demolition or relocation of buildings owned by religious organizations. Kalan Contreras of the city’s Preservation Office explained that the state laws that govern historic preservation were modified in […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
State laws will have broad-spectrum effects on Travis County
The 88th Texas Legislature’s regular session recently ended, with both favorable and unfavorable fiscal effects on Travis County. On Tuesday, county Intergovernmental Relations Officer Julie Wheeler updated the Travis County Commissioners Court on the outcomes of the session and the scope of the legislation passed, which affected the county in areas like transportation, natural resources, […]