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Texas State Legislature
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…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 11, 2019
Austin, TravCo leaders brace for state laws targeting revenue, local control
Austin leaders have started gaming out the budget cuts and possible staffing and service reductions that would come from possible state caps on property tax increases. At last week’s meeting of the Austin Regional Affordability Committee, city staff briefed a…
Texas State Legislature • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 27, 2018
Property taxes, Austin Energy top city's worry list
Once again, the city of Austin, along with other large Texas cities, will face a grueling task as the 2019 legislative session begins in January. Intergovernmental Relations Officer Brie Franco told City Council during Tuesday’s work session that she and…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Oct 17, 2018
What should I ask of my legislators if I want Texas' school funding system to change?
It’s a typical summer day at Emily Herrington’s house in Northeast Austin. Her two daughters, Penly, 7, and Laurel, 3, are playing with their kittens and reading books in the living room. Penly is going into second grade at Blanton…
Texas State Legislature • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jun 28, 2018
How three former federal immigration officials view Texas’ ‘sanctuary cities’ ban
The next chapter in the fight over Texas’ immigration enforcement law begins Tuesday, as attorneys on both sides of the case over Senate Bill 4, the so-called “sanctuary cities” law, head back to federal court. Judges for the 5th U.S.…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Nov 7, 2017
Dueling tree ordinance bills advance
The Texas House of Representatives on Thursday approved legislation that would allow developers to get credit for planting trees to substitute for mitigation fees that cities might otherwise require from them when they remove trees from their property. House Bill…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Jul 28, 2017
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Texas lawmakers may alter property tax collection. But how does it even work?
During a recent committee hearing on a property tax bill, a state lawmaker made an unusual comment: He praised Travis County. “Travis County has the best record on reducing tax rate,” said state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), the author of…
Budget • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jul 26, 2017
City of Austin welcomes Texas AG opinion on local tree rules
In Austin, and in about 60 other Texas cities, you need to get a permit before you cut down some large or historic trees. Opponents of those tree preservation rules – including Gov. Greg Abbott – call them a violation…
Texas State Legislature • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 18, 2017
Lawmakers to tackle local construction regulations during special session
Local control was a recurring theme during the 85th Texas Legislative session, and many of those policy debates will continue during the upcoming special session. When Gov. Greg Abbott announced the 20 items that will be taken up by lawmakers,…
Development • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 17, 2017
Abbott takes aim at Austin's tree protections
Austin leaders who watched with dismay as GOP lawmakers spent much of the recently concluded legislative session undermining city policies on immigration, ride-sharing and short-term rentals could at least take comfort in the fact that the state did not completely…
Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • Jul 6, 2017
Is a grueling special session ahead?
Brie Franco, the city’s intergovernmental relations officer, told City Council at Tuesday’s work session that although Austin had “some positive outcomes” during the just-ended legislative session, many of the items defeated by the city and its allies are likely to…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Jun 21, 2017
Mayor, City Council members hold news conference on 'sanctuary' suit
The city of Austin filed a motion in federal court Monday, seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the enforcement of Senate Bill 4, the state’s new law barring so-called “sanctuary cities.” Mayor Steve Adler called SB 4 unconstitutional and said…
