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Tag Archives: Texas Legislature
Federal judge blocks Texas' ban on 'sanctuary cities'
A federal court in San Antonio has blocked Senate Bill 4, Texas’ so-called “sanctuary cities” law. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia said, “The best interests of the public will be served by preserving the status quo and enjoining, prior to…
Courts • By Stephanie Federico • Aug 31, 2017
How one immigrants' rights group is preparing for 'sanctuary cities' law
Candelario Vazquez, 34, stood in front of a 20-person audience. None of the adults and children, some of them squirming in their hard plastic chairs, asked to be in his audience. “Good morning, friends,” said Vazquez, who works for the…
Public Safety • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Aug 23, 2017
Council opts to sue the state over housing discrimination beef
After months of the Texas Legislature seemingly taking shot after shot at the city of Austin, City Council is swinging back. On Thursday, Council gave the go-ahead to Interim City Manager Elaine Hart to sue the state over a 2015…
Courts • By Caleb Pritchard • Aug 18, 2017
Dueling tree ordinance bills advance
The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday approved legislation that would allow developers to get credit for planting trees to substitute for mitigation fees that cities might otherwise require from them when they remove trees from their property. House Bill…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Jul 28, 2017
At Capital Metro's Traffic Jam, Adler brings the noise
Mayor Steve Adler’s plan for the next big transportation funding package is a new way forward indeed. On Wednesday night, at a large public engagement event meant to highlight the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s ongoing Project Connect process, Adler suggested…
Transportation • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 27, 2017
Texas lawmakers may alter property tax collection. But how does it even work?
During a recent committee hearing on a property tax bill, a state lawmaker made an unusual comment: He praised Travis County. “Travis County has the best record on reducing tax rate,” said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), the author of…
Budget • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jul 26, 2017
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City of Austin welcomes Texas AG opinion on local tree rules
In Austin, and in about 60 other Texas cities, you need to get a permit before you cut down some large or historic trees. Opponents of those tree preservation rules – including Gov. Greg Abbott – call them a violation…
Texas State Legislature • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 18, 2017
Lawmakers to tackle local construction regulations during special session
Local control was a recurring theme during the 85th Texas Legislative session, and many of those policy debates will continue during the upcoming special session. When Gov. Greg Abbott announced the 20 items that will be taken up by lawmakers,…
Development • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 17, 2017
County's clean air programs in question after Abbott's vetoes
A pair of Gov. Greg Abbott’s line-item vetoes has Travis County once again scrambling to clean up the aftermath, this time involving two air quality programs. On June 23 12, Abbott blasted out of the state budget bill all future…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 14, 2017
Council OKs $6.9 million in fee waivers for state
Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s long list of proposed topics for an upcoming special session of the Texas Legislature that look a lot like Austin bashing, City Council voted Thursday to allow staff to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the Texas…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jun 23, 2017
Mayor, City Council members hold news conference on 'sanctuary' suit
The city of Austin filed a motion in federal court Monday, seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the enforcement of Senate Bill 4, the state’s new law barring so-called “sanctuary cities.” Mayor Steve Adler called SB 4 unconstitutional and said…
Courts • By KUT News • Jun 20, 2017
State Senate trumps Austin's ride-hailing regulations
The Texas Legislature has cleared the road for Uber and Lyft to return to Austin on their own terms. On Wednesday, the state Senate overwhelmingly approved House Bill 100 on second and third readings, sending the statewide ride-hailing regulations to…
