Tag Archives: Texas State Legislature
Records show first responders in Austin struggling to respond to Cruise's self-driving cars
Austin’s first responders grappled with how to manage Cruise’s robot cars and their “alarming” behavior, records obtained by KUT show. An internal reporting system used by Austin firefighters and police describes Cruise cars coming within inches of parked fire trucks,…
Transportation • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Oct 31, 2023
Mobility Committee laments state law curtailing city's power over driverless car companies
City Council members heard last week about the ongoing public safety concerns that the emerging autonomous vehicle industry has created in Austin. Last week’s Mobility Committee meeting saw a presentation from staff from the Transportation and Public Works Department as…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 30, 2023
Who should regulate Texas Gas Service conservation programs?
Longtime utility critic Paul Robbins has discovered that House Bill 2263, legislation approved by the Texas Legislature this spring, may hamper city efforts to regulate rebates offered by Texas Gas Service. The same would be true of other cities throughout…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • Oct 12, 2023
Hays County district clerk sues district attorney for 'neglect of his duties'
The Hays County district clerk is suing District Attorney Kelly Higgins and asking that he be removed from office. Avrey Anderson claims Higgins demonstrated “intentional, corrupt failure and neglect of his duties” by refusing to prosecute cases of simple drug possession and low-level…
Courts • By Maya Fawaz, KUT • Sep 18, 2023
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Travis County judge rules Texas ‘Death Star’ law is unconstitutional
A Texas law that would have undone local laws was ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge Wednesday, days ahead of when it was slated to take effect. The law, referred to as the “Death Star” bill, would limit cities’…
Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 31, 2023
Austin ISD considers adding 70 police officers to comply with new Texas school safety law
Lee esta historia en español The Austin Independent School District is considering nearly doubling the size of its police department to comply with a new state law that takes effect Sept. 1. House Bill 3 is a piece of sweeping school…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 24, 2023
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Austin's light-rail plans set to advance after narrowly dodging Texas-sized wrecking ball
Austin’s light-rail ambitions are barreling ahead after narrowly escaping the clutches of Texas lawmakers determined to rein in the multibillion-dollar transit expansion. But the voter-approved plan, known as Project Connect, must still navigate a tricky track laden with potential legal…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 31, 2023
Travis Audubon gives update on sanctuary and potential environmental peril
Reports of celebration and concern were highlighted at the Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan (BCCP) Coordinating Committee meeting last Friday. Nicole Netherton, executive director at Travis Audubon, began by giving a general overview of some of the county’s conservation advocacy efforts…
Environment • By Ava Garderet • May 17, 2023
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Austin warns utility legislation would cause taxes to go up
A bill introduced by state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, would likely result in increased property taxes in Austin, San Antonio and other cities that own electric utilities, according to Austin Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo. Simply put, Senate Bill…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Mar 28, 2023
What's at stake in the Texas school voucher debate
Three terms are coming up over and over again this legislative session: school choice, school vouchers and education savings accounts. They’re all related to the goal of giving families state money to send their kids to nonpublic schools. One of…
Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Mar 16, 2023
Texas Legislature could derail Austin's transit expansion
Austin’s slowly shrinking vision for a fast-moving urban rail system by the end of the decade is about to face a new challenge, one that could upend the voter-approved transit expansion: property tax warriors in the Texas Legislature. New bills…
Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Mar 15, 2023
Bill to curb compatibility filed at the state Legislature
A bill filed last week at the Texas Legislature would significantly curtail compatibility, a rule in Austin that restricts the height of buildings near single-family homes. Senate Bill 491, filed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), would in effect allow…
Texas State Legislature • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 23, 2023
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