Tag Archives: Texas State Legislature
Friday, April 5, 2019 by Jo Clifton
Texas State Legislature
Austin FC hires legislative lobbyists
The soccer club Austin FC, owned by Precourt Sports Ventures, hired three lobbyists on March 7, the day after Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, introduced legislation that could seriously impact Precourt’s plans for a new soccer stadium at McKalla Place. The…
Thursday, April 4, 2019 by Jo Clifton
Texas State Legislature
Property tax bill could cost soccer club
Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, has introduced legislation that could put a crimp in the plans of anyone leasing municipal property for a new sports facility – such as a soccer stadium – and planning not to pay property taxes to…
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…
Friday, March 29, 2019 by Andrew Weber, KUT
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…
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…
Friday, March 1, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy, KUT
Texas State Legislature
While it’s held up in court, Austin’s paid sick leave law comes closer to being undone by the state
Texas lawmakers advanced a bill on Thursday that would prevent cities from requiring private employers to give their workers certain benefits, such as paid sick leave. “This bill creates a statewide policy for consistent regulation by giving clarity to our…
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Texas State Legislature
Legislature traditions keeping revenue caps at bay, for now
Travis County has a lot to lose if the Texas Legislature decides to discard tradition for the sake of passing the four property tax relief bills that have been filed this session. After Sen. Paul Bettencourt’s Senate Bill 2 was…
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 by Jo Clifton
Texas State Legislature
Local officials unite to fight property tax caps
Just hours after Gov. Greg Abbott delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday, declaring school finance reform, property tax relief and teacher pay raises to be emergency items on the legislative agenda, county officials from around the state…
Friday, January 11, 2019 by Audrey McGlinchy, KUT
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…
Friday, January 26, 2018 by Chad Swiatecki
Austin
Science friction: Austin Democrats look at growing clash between politics and facts
Perhaps the key to fighting fake news claims and a growing resistance to scientific research in state and federal policy decisions comes down to teaching scientists and engineers how to tell jokes. The need for making scientific analysis accessible and…
Tuesday, November 7, 2017 by Audrey McGlinchy, KUT
Texas State Legislature
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.…
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 by Caleb Pritchard
Travis County
Prostitution court falling short of county expectations
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday revealed that a justice program aimed at helping residents charged with prostitution is falling short of expectations. “Relying on the criminal and civil justice system to boot-strap these individuals who are in such…
Thursday, July 6, 2017 by Jack Craver
Texas State Legislature
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…
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 by Jo Clifton
Texas State Legislature
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…
Monday, June 19, 2017 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Talking Texas Legislature with Deece Eckstein
Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator for Travis County Deece Eckstein joins Austin Monitor reporter Caleb Pritchard to talk over the ins and outs of the 85th Texas Legislature on the verge of what promises to be a very special session for the…
Tuesday, June 6, 2017 by Ashley Lopez, KUT
Politics
Democrats call on Dukes to step down for failing to show up
Democratic House Rep. Dawnna Dukes of Austin was already in hot water at the start of the legislative session. She had walked back a promise to resign and, soon after, was indicted. But Travis County Democrats say she then failed…
Friday, June 2, 2017 by KUT News
Texas State Legislature
Updated: City of Austin joins San Antonio in lawsuit against ‘sanctuary cities’ law
By Stephanie Federico The City of Austin has filed a legal challenge to the state’s new “sanctuary city” law, joining a suit filed Thursday by the City of San Antonio. “Elected leaders across the state are following the leadership of…
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 by Joseph Caterine
AISD
AISD braces itself for end of legislative session
The Austin Independent School District’s budget has been strained since the city’s rapid growth began in the late 1990s, but this year’s state legislative session has district staff anticipating the worst. Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley Johnson told the AISD…
Friday, May 19, 2017 by Austin Monitor
Public Safety
Austin City Council votes to challenge Texas over new ‘sanctuary cities’ law
By Lisa Dreher and Elizabeth Pagano Though it has already been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Austin City Council can now pursue its own case against Texas’ “sanctuary cities” law. On Thursday, Council voted to allow the city…
