Hotel tax increase would fund most aggressive convention center plan

A 2-percentage-point uptick in the city’s hotel occupancy tax appears to be the most favored method of expanding the Austin Convention Center and turning the area around it into a lifestyle and tourist epicenter. That financing option, which would be…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 7, 2017

Travis County explores ways to overcome funding cuts

Travis County raised nearly $90,000 as of Monday afternoon through an online initiative set up after Gov. Greg Abbott cut $1.5 million in grant funding over Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s new immigration policy. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) launched the fundraising…

Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Feb 7, 2017

Elysium Park gets initial Council approval, despite neighborhood opposition

For those wondering why building affordable housing in Austin is going so slowly, the Elysium Park development has been a case study of many of the tensions City Council is facing in its attempts to keep low-income people from fleeing…

Housing • By Cate Malek • Feb 6, 2017

Curbside textile recycling continues – for now

In the wake of protests from nonprofits including the Salvation Army, Goodwill and the Assistance League of Austin about the impact curbside recycling of textiles is having on their businesses, City Council on Thursday directed Interim City Manager Elaine Hart…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Feb 6, 2017

Zilker Park could soon see new ADA-compliant restroom

At its Feb. 1 meeting, the Environmental Commission approved staff recommendation to grant an amendment and a variance to city code that would allow an additional restroom facility to be built inside Zilker Park. Gary Gregson, the program coordinator from…

Parks • By Joseph Caterine • Feb 6, 2017

Reporter's Notebook: Just more fake news

Alt-facts… The national press has caught wind of Travis County’s skirmish with Gov. Greg Abbott over immigration policy, for better and worse. Reputable outlets such as CBS News and the Washington Post have deigned to talk to County Judge Sarah…

Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Feb 6, 2017

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Austin Monitor Radio: Reporters Roundtable

Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin is joined by Monitor editor Liz Pagano, Monitor freelancer Nina Hernandez, and the Austin Chronicle’s Michael King for a discussion about the latest in Austin politics. Post is embedded below:

City Council • By Michael Kanin • Feb 6, 2017

Updated: 'Sanctuary City' bill clears senate committee after 16 hours of public testimony

Texas lawmakers heard hours of public testimony Thursday and into early Friday morning over a bill banning so-called “sanctuary cities” in Texas, ultimately voting early this morning 7-2 -along party lines to send the bill to the full Senate Texas…

Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Feb 3, 2017

Council approves solar-ready resolution

In spite of objections from the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, City Council approved a resolution Thursday aimed at making all future buildings in the city “solar-ready.” The resolution, which passed 10-1, with only Council Member Ellen Troxclair in…

Development • By Jack Craver • Feb 3, 2017

Music venues' 'agent of change' proposal faces revisions ahead of spring vote

The city of Austin has concluded its series of public forums on a pair of proposed policy moves that would attempt to draw clear lines of responsibility between new residential developments and creative spaces that are increasingly co-mingling in the…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 3, 2017

Planning Commission recommends drive-through at Oltorf intersection

Overruling objections from the East Riverside/Oltorf Neighborhood, the Planning Commission voted during its Jan. 24 meeting to move forward with a change that could bring a drive-through to the area. Applicant 1616 E Oltorf Street, LTD. requested to upzone the…

Zoning • By Joseph Caterine • Feb 3, 2017

Eckhardt on Abbott's cuts: "It's retribution"

Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is offering unequivocal support for Sheriff Sally Hernandez in the face of costly punishment meted out by Gov. Greg Abbott in response to Hernandez’s new policies regarding immigration enforcement. “We have done an extensive review of…

Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Feb 2, 2017

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