Politics
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 by Claire McInerny
Texas State Legislature
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…
Friday, March 29, 2019 by Andrew Weber
Texas State Legislature
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…
Friday, March 29, 2019 by Chad Swiatecki
Texas State Legislature
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…
Friday, March 15, 2019 by Jessi Devenyns
Elections
Ethics Commission looks into omission of PAC donation
How does one forget to report $10,000? That was the question of the evening for the Ethics Review Commission at its March 13 convocation.In a complaint filed by Fred Lewis last November, he accused the No on J political action…
Monday, March 11, 2019 by Chad Swiatecki
Bonds & Propositions
Council OKs full $12M for creative space preservation, creation
The city’s creative leaders will have a full $12 million in bond money as their conceptual modeling clay later this month when the community begins to consider how best to protect Austin’s shrinking stock of arts spaces and music venues.City…
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 by Jack Craver
Bonds & Propositions
City begins process of spending $925 million in bonds
Spending money is not always easy. Four months after voters approved $925 million in bonds to fund housing, parks, transportation, fire stations and a wide assortment of other municipal priorities, city staff and City Council are beginning the process of…
