Newsletter Signup
The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Most Popular Stories
- Austin unveils how light-rail could change the city in new report with detailed maps
- Lost Creek neighborhood sues city over tax efforts
- Density proponents encouraged by HOME six-month progress report
- Most Austin-area drivers will still need a vehicle inspection. Here’s where the rules have changed.
- On the verge of demolition, neighborhood seeks recognition for Holy Cross Hospital
-
Discover News By District
Popular Whispers
- DAA lunch talk looks at future of I-35 amid expansion, cap-and-stitch concerns
- City is preserving affordable housing near the Domain
- SBA issues grant to open office for women entrepreneurs in Austin
- Report: Austin home prices grew 85 percent since 2014
- Share your thoughts on CapMetro’s proposed upgrades for payment options
Tag Archives: Texas Legislature
Save Historic Muny District has a board of directors
The Save Historic Muny District, which represents those who wish to preserve the first integrated golf course in the South, now has a board of directors. The board includes Mary Arnold and Ken Tiemann, both longtime advocates for the Lions…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Oct 15, 2019
Advocates cheer abortion aid funding; Zimmerman sues city
As city leaders and advocates for reproductive choice gathered for a press conference Thursday morning, most of the conversation focused on how Austin became the first city in the country to allocate funding for logistical support, such as transportation and…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 13, 2019
New rules put pressure on land use commissions
Operating under new rules as a result of the so-called “shot clock bill,” members of the Zoning and Platting Commission and the Planning Commission will be under pressure to rapidly make decisions about whether to approve or reject subdivision development…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 6, 2019
City prepares for 'shot clock' bill with code amendments
Just in time, City Council approved changes to the Land Development Code Thursday intended to buffer the city’s subdivision development application process against House Bill 3167, known as the “shot clock” bill, effective statewide Sept. 1. Council members across the…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • Aug 26, 2019
Hot race shaping up for Republicans in HD 47
Former Austin City Council Member Don Zimmerman outraised four other Republican candidates vying for the chance to meet Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin in the House District 47 race next year. Zimmerman reported raising nearly $37,700 in his July 15…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Jul 17, 2019
City to get land for Shoal Creek bike bridge
As a result of two bills sponsored by Rep. Donna Howard and Sen. Kirk Watson, both Austin Democrats, the city of Austin will soon have an easement on state property that will allow for construction of a pedestrian-bicycle bridge connecting…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Jul 3, 2019
Subscribe to our newsletter
'Shot clock' bill resets development review time
As Austin city leaders had their attention focused on the 3.5 percent tax cap that moved through the Texas Legislature, legislators were busy approving a bill that could have a serious impact on the city’s efforts to regulate development. The…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Jun 28, 2019
Texas lawmakers tried to take the reins from cities this session. The results were mixed.
For the last handful of legislative sessions, the Texas Legislature has had it in for Austin and other cities. GOP lawmakers who regularly thumb their noses at “big government”-minded efforts in D.C. have filed bills targeting city laws regulating everything…
Texas State Legislature • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 31, 2019
Travis County contemplates small wins, big losses at Legislature
Every week while the state Legislature is in session, Travis County’s chief lobbyist, Deece Eckstein, briefs members of the Commissioners Court on the bills that might affect the county. In recent months, the weekly briefing has usually been bleak, but…
Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • May 29, 2019
State lawmakers approve legislation shielding most Texans from surprise medical bills
Surprise medical bills may be a thing of the past for many Texans. In a unanimous vote, the Texas House approved a Senate bill banning health care providers from sending steep medical bills to insured Texans in emergencies. Senate Bill…
Texas State Legislature • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • May 22, 2019
State bill no longer targets Austin's MLS deal
A Senate bill that many felt could endanger the city’s lease deal on a new soccer stadium has been amended in a way that appears to have created an exception for the roughly $250 million structure. On Thursday, State Sen.…
Texas State Legislature • By Chad Swiatecki • May 3, 2019
Watching Legislature, city delays financial forecast
Without final action on the property tax bill moving through the Texas Legislature, Austin budget planners are holding off on presenting the city’s financial forecast to City Council. At this point, however, legislative watchers expect final passage of SB 2,…