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Tag Archives: Texas State Legislature
Travis County braces for lean times
Travis County commissioners spent a good chunk of Tuesday morning fuming over state legislation targeting local control, notably a proposal that will sharply limit the ability of local governments to raise property tax revenue. A bill recently approved by the…
Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • Apr 25, 2019
Council strongly opposes property tax bills
As Speaker of the Texas House Dennis Bonnen calls the chamber to order today, Austin’s City Council will begin working its way through its regular agenda. That agenda includes a resolution adamantly rejecting House Bill 2, the property tax bill…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Apr 11, 2019
Proposed labor rule would mean gig economy workers in Texas can't get unemployment benefits
The state’s labor regulator will meet this morning for a final vote on a controversial new rule on gig economy workers that opponents say will have far-reaching implications for workers going forward. The proposed rule from the Texas Workforce Commission…
Texas State Legislature • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Apr 9, 2019
Austin FC hires legislative lobbyists
The soccer club Austin FC, owned by Precourt Sports Ventures, hired three lobbyists on March 7, the day after Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, introduced legislation that could seriously impact Precourt’s plans for a new soccer stadium at McKalla Place. The…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Apr 5, 2019
Property tax bill could cost soccer club
Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, has introduced legislation that could put a crimp in the plans of anyone leasing municipal property for a new sports facility – such as a soccer stadium – and planning not to pay property taxes to…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Apr 4, 2019
Under House school finance bill, Austin would get to keep $194 million more in taxes in 2020
Austin Independent School District would pay $194 million less in recapture in 2020 if House Bill 3, the chamber’s $9 billion school finance plan, is passed. Recapture is the law that requires “property-rich” school districts, like Austin ISD and most…
Texas State Legislature • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Apr 2, 2019
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Here are 3 ways state lawmakers could disrupt (or shore up) short-term rentals in Texas this session
For years, short-term rentals – the rooms, cottages, condos and homes on apps like Airbnb and HomeAway – have been the subject of lawsuits and hand-wringing on the part of regulators and people looking to rent out properties. Texas lawmakers…
Texas State Legislature • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 29, 2019
Music venues could see liquor tax relief under proposed state laws
An Austin-based live music advocacy group has helped with the creation of two bills up for consideration in the Texas Legislature that would provide rebates on liquor tax payments to music venues across the state. House Bill 2806 was presented…
Texas State Legislature • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 29, 2019
While it's held up in court, Austin's paid sick leave law comes closer to being undone by the state
Texas lawmakers advanced a bill on Thursday that would prevent cities from requiring private employers to give their workers certain benefits, such as paid sick leave. “This bill creates a statewide policy for consistent regulation by giving clarity to our…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 1, 2019
Legislature traditions keeping revenue caps at bay, for now
Travis County has a lot to lose if the Texas Legislature decides to discard tradition for the sake of passing the four property tax relief bills that have been filed this session. After Sen. Paul Bettencourt’s Senate Bill 2 was…
Texas State Legislature • By Ryan Thornton • Feb 19, 2019
Local officials unite to fight property tax caps
Just hours after Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday, declaring school finance reform, property tax relief and teacher pay raises to be emergency items on the legislative agenda, county officials from around the state…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Feb 6, 2019
The city-state fight continues in the 2019 legislative session: Here are bills to look out for
When the Texas Legislature reconvened on Jan. 8, lawmakers already had on their desks bills aimed at undoing city of Austin rules. The city-state conflict is nothing new. Last time they met in 2017, state lawmakers passed bills overturning Austin…
