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 low-income residents when they request zoning changes. Only Texas, Arizona and Tennessee currently prohibit inclusionary […]
Texas State Legislature
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Austin gets ready for Texas Legislature
When Texas legislators return to the state capital in January they can expect to face a $4.6 billion budget deficit, according to a prediction from Comptroller Glenn Hegar. The deficit is a result of the pandemic and associated economic decline, along with lower oil prices, Hegar said. Just a year ago, the comptroller was predicting […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Gov. Abbott proposes freezing property tax revenue in cities that cut police funding
In the hopes of discouraging cities from reducing money spent on police, Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday he and other state leaders support the passage of a bill halting a property tax revenue increase for any Texas city that cuts its police budget. “Cities that endanger residents by reducing law enforcement should not then be […]
Posted inBudget
City, county taxes could climb 8 percent under emergency declaration
A provision included in the Texas Legislature’s “property tax transparency” bill could offer jurisdictions across the state, including the city of Austin, the financial flexibility necessary to deal with some of the economic impacts of COVID-19. According to an update from the Texas Municipal League, when Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster on March […]
Posted inTravis County
Exit Eckstein: Travis County’s retiring lobbyist reflects on his battles at the Legislature
After 11 years, Deece Eckstein is calling it quits as Travis County’s top lobbyist. He recently told members of the Commissioners Court that he will retire from his position as the intergovernmental relations officer at the end of the year. Eckstein, 65, said he envisions eventually returning to some type of work in the advocacy […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
New Texas pipeline protest law is about more than pipelines
A law went into effect in Texas this week that increases penalties for demonstrators who interfere with oil and gas pipelines and other pieces of “critical infrastructure.” Oil and gas states have adopted such laws to crack down on demonstrations like the one at Standing Rock, where protesters disrupted construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin could fund ‘logistical support’ for low-income women seeking abortions
Four Austin City Council members want the city to help low-income women obtain abortions – without the city actually paying for the procedure. At the urging of local reproductive rights groups, Austin city leaders are working to set aside up to $150,000 for groups that provide transportation, lodging, child care and counseling to women seeking […]
Posted inThe Code
‘Shot clock’ reviews hit Council’s agenda
Under a looming deadline from the state, Council is set on Thursday to pass changes to the way the city reviews and approves subdivision development applications, despite the possibility of “unfortunate and unintended consequences,” in the words of Council Member Alison Alter. House Bill 3167, known as the “shot clock” bill, requires cities and counties […]
Posted inAustin
Legislature cuts farmers market fees, costing city
Passage of a little-known bill, Senate Bill 932, which establishes a $100 maximum fee for food sales permits at farmers markets, will cost the Austin Public Health Department about $4,000 in the current fiscal year and an estimated $41,485 in Fiscal Year 2019-20, department director Stephanie Hayden told Council during Tuesday’s work session. Hayden explained […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Report finds Texas bipartisanship wins
Despite the “blue wave” election in 2018, Republicans maintained control of both houses of the Texas Legislature during the 2019 legislative session that just concluded. As expected, the majority of bills were authored and approved by Republicans. During the session, however, bills with bipartisan authorship were more than twice as likely to pass as bills […]
Posted inCity Council
Council wants justice for state’s actions
Caught in the wake of the 86th Texas Legislative session, City Council members are directing attention to the state leaders they say have intentionally pitted city governments against their constituents. In a briefing with Council on Tuesday, Brie Franco, intergovernmental relations officer, offered a sobering glimpse into the future with the property tax rollback rate […]
Posted inRadio
Austin Monitor Radio: Deece Eckstein
This week, Travis County Intergovernmental Relations Officer Deece Eckstein sits down with Austin Monitor reporter Jack Craver to catch up on the past session of the Texas Legislature. Listen in below to hear why Eckstein considers it the worst session he’s ever seen and explains the impact that recently passed state legislation will have on […]