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Austin ISD school board approves deficit budget as recapture payment nears $1 billion

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees has adopted a deficit budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. The vote happened a little before 1 a.m. Friday. The deficit was not a surprise. Back in May, the board approved significant…

Mayor expresses opposition to amphitheater, parking garages in Zilker Park Vision Plan

Mayor Kirk Watson on Tuesday expressed strong opinions about the Zilker Park Vision Plan, particularly areas of the plan that have already caused controversy. Watson wrote in his “Watson Wire” email that he was opposed to putting a proposed 5,000-seat…

Animal Services chief addresses overcrowded shelter after alarm from Kelly

Weeks after City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly expressed alarm at finding “dogs housed in temporary crates at the truck port” behind Austin Animal Center with scorching temperatures on the way, Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland has responded. A subsequent…

Austin starts search for next city manager

The search for Austin’s next city manager is underway. In a post to the City Council Message Board on Thursday, Mayor Kirk Watson outlined a process for the search. Watson has appointed a sub-quorum of Council to act as a…

City code amendments moving slowly, including change to parking requirements

Remember all those amendments to Austin’s land use regulations that City Council directed city staff to write – ideas that seem particularly important in light of the housing shortage? They’re moving slowly. Those amendments include eliminating parking requirements from the…

Austin Justice Coalition launches economic justice campaign

This week, the Austin Justice Coalition announced the launch of the Justice Now: Economic Justice Campaign. The nonprofit said the initiative aims to address systemic economic inequalities in the Austin area. The Justice Now campaign will leverage public awareness campaigns,…

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To celebrate marriage equality, Travis County offers free marriage ceremonies June 26

To celebrate the eight-year anniversary of becoming the first Texas county to issue a same-sex marriage license, Travis County is offering free wedding ceremonies all day Monday, June 26. Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado said she thinks it’s particularly important for…

Jobs development roundup: A split at Austin Chamber; Huston-Tillotson and Skillpoint Alliance fill gaps

The Austin Chamber of Commerce has parted ways with Opportunity Austin, the job creation and economic development arm of the organization since 2004. The now-separate groups announced the split Tuesday while naming new leaders and explaining the move will allow…

'Dogs coming out of our ears': Pandemic, no-kill policy worsen overcrowding at Austin Animal Center

The Austin Animal Center doesn’t want its halls lined with crates, but they are. It doesn’t want to keep three puppies in a kennel meant for cats, but it does. And it doesn’t want to keep crates of large dogs in its loading dock…

Council seeks bigger Downtown Austin Community Court budget

City Council last week endorsed adding funds to the budget of the Downtown Austin Community Court and expanding the area served by the court. The court concentrates on providing justice diversion and community services to the city’s homeless population. It…

Council proposes allowing more homes in single-family zoning

City Council on Thursday voted to create a program that would allow more homes on single-family lots, as long as some homes are priced affordably.  “What we are trying to accomplish here, from a high level, is to create an…

PAC seeks clarity, cost breakdowns for $1.6B convention center expansion

The political action committee co-founded by a former member of the Downtown Commission wants the mayor and City Council to answer questions about the planned expansion of the Austin Convention Center, it announced in a news release last week. Laura…

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