A new political action committee is trying to put a state law governing police oversight on the ballot next May. “I think it’s really unique and kind of amazing that (this petition could) allow the voters in Austin to decide if we want to change how policing is done in Austin,” Eric Wikman, treasurer of […]
Texas Legislature
The state’s legislative governing body composed of the House and Senate.
Posted inElections
Rodriguez concedes, calls for unity, Eckhardt headed to Texas Senate
Eddie Rodriguez announced Monday that he was opting out of an uphill battle for the Senate District 14 seat against former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt. Instead, Rodriguez said he would focus his efforts “on winning a Democratic majority and promoting an aggressive, progressive agenda in the Texas House.” Rodriguez, who has served in the […]
Posted inElections
Updated: Runoff likely in Senate District 14 race
With six candidates vying to take the place of Senate District 14’s Kirk Watson, it seemed reasonable to assume there would be a runoff, most likely between two popular Democrats: former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez. On Wednesday morning Eckhardt, the daughter of the late U.S. Rep. Bob Eckhardt, had […]
Posted inElections
Eckhardt leads in poll but trails in fundraising
According to a poll released by the Sarah Eckhardt campaign, the former Travis County judge has a wide lead in the race for Senate District 14 over both of her closest rivals, state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and former City Council Member Don Zimmerman. The poll, which was conducted by Myers Research on June 2-4, found […]
Posted inParks
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 Municipal Golf Course, as well as Volma Overton III, the grandson of the legendary NAACP […]
Posted inCity Council
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 child care, for abortion. On Tuesday, Council voted to add $150,000 to the upcoming budget […]
Posted inPlanning
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 applications. Commissioners will also be under greater pressure to attend meetings and, in many cases, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 dais took aim at the state’s attempt to accelerate the subdivision review timeline, arguing that […]
Posted inElections
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 filing with the Texas Ethics Commission, but what set his report above the others was […]
Posted inPlanning
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 Shoal Creek Boulevard to the Grove. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bills – House Bill […]
Posted inDevelopment
‘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 Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, which supported the bill, calls it the “shot clock” […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
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 from plastic bag usage to how residents preserve trees, arguing city laws in Austin create […]