In addition to imposing strict constraints on local governments’ ability to raise property tax revenue, Republicans at the state Legislature want to limit how those governments can spend their tax dollars. A number of bills have been filed this session that would prohibit local governments from spending public funds to advocate for or against legislation. […]
Texas State Legislature
Posted inTexas 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 state Senate, which would cut the maximum effective property tax rate from 8 percent to […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
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 that proposes to lower the property tax revenue cap from its current 8 percent to […]
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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 would eliminate a requirement that app-based companies – like Uber or DoorDash – that hire […]
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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 club hired Neal T. “Buddy” Jones of HillCo Partners, a well-known lobbyist with many years […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
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 other local governments. The bill, SB 1771, is aimed directly at Precourt Sports Ventures and its […]
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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 other major Texas cities, to pay back a portion of their property taxes to the […]
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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 haven’t yet figured out how to regulate them, but a handful of bills have been […]
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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 Tuesday to the House legislative committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism and is expected to […]
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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 private employers and prohibits local governments meddling in their business for paid sick leave, predictive […]
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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 sent out to the Senate on Feb. 11, Deece Eckstein, Travis County’s intergovernmental relations coordinator, […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
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 held a news conference to say they support school finance reform but revenue caps will […]