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Tag Archives: Texas State Legislature
Bill to curb compatibility filed at the state Legislature
A bill filed last week at the Texas Legislature would significantly curtail compatibility, a rule in Austin that restricts the height of buildings near single-family homes. Senate Bill 491, filed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), would in effect allow…
Texas State Legislature • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 23, 2023
It's official: Texas’ new voting law led to higher rejection rates for mail-in ballots in Central Texas
County election officials in the Austin area are reporting a higher than usual rejection rate for mail-in ballots during the March 1 primary election. This was the first election since Texas’ new voting law went into effect. The law, known…
Elections • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Mar 11, 2022
Election officials say Texas' new ID rules for voting by mail could cause more ballots to get rejected
Lee esta historia en español. More people’s mail-in ballots could be rejected in the March primary because of Texas’ new ID matching requirement, local election officials say. The requirement is part of Texas’ new voting law, Senate Bill 1. A provision…
Elections • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Feb 8, 2022
Here's what's in Texas Republicans' new voting law
Editor’s Note: Senate Bill 1, Texas’ restrictive new voting bill, was the law of the Lone Star State for barely an hour when civil rights groups launched a slew of lawsuits aimed at striking down the law. A federal lawsuit…
Texas State Legislature • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Sep 8, 2021
Commissioners approve state-mandated changes to leave policy
Three bills were signed into law during the past legislative session that will change or add to existing leave policies for county employees. House Bill 1589 provides seven days of paid leave for public officers and employees engaged in certain types…
Texas State Legislature • By Seth Smalley • Sep 3, 2021
Democrats sue Texas in attempt to get federal courts to redraw legislative districts before 2022
Texas Democrats say the state’s legislative districts can’t be redrawn in 2021 and they’re asking a federal court to redraw them before the 2022 election. The state has already begun work on redrawing its maps, but a federal lawsuit filed…
Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 2, 2021
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Legislators respond to winter storm with new requirements for energy providers
The Electric Utility Commission received an update last week on legislative action related to electric utilities, with Senate Bill 3 serving as the omnibus response bill to Winter Storm Uri in mid-February. SB 3, approved at the close of the…
Energy • By Amy Smith • Jul 19, 2021
Downtown Commission objects to proposed state rollback of city sound ordinance
The Downtown Commission is the latest city body to formally object to a proposed state law that would invalidate most of Austin’s noise ordinance and make it legal for bars and clubs to generate loud music until 2 a.m. seven…
Texas State Legislature • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 27, 2021
City watching bills that would cut its authority
As has been the case for several sessions, Austin is facing numerous challenges as the Texas Legislature begins to do its business. Due to Covid, this session will present new challenges, not just for city advocates, but for members and…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Jan 26, 2021
Environmental Commission discusses its role in political advocacy
The Jan. 20 meeting of the Environmental Commission addressed a resolution that would support the city’s 87th State Legislative Agenda, a City Council resolution that passed in September of last year. According to the city, the agenda – which has no…
Texas State Legislature • By Sean Saldaña • Jan 25, 2021
Safety concerns grow in Austin as the first day of the Texas legislative session dawns
Today is the opening day of the Texas legislative session. And after last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, security is a much bigger concern than it has been in recent memory. Lawmakers are having to consider what was unimaginable…
Texas State Legislature • By Jimmy Maas • Jan 12, 2021
Hinojosa tries again for inclusionary zoning
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, is trying once again to repeal the state law that prevents Texas cities from using an affordable housing tool known as inclusionary zoning. Inclusionary zoning programs allow cities to require developers to provide housing for…
