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Whispers
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
AISD extends school closure
The Austin Independent School District announced Monday that schools will remain closed at least through April 3 over public health concerns about COVID-19. Superintendent Paul Cruz explained that the district will continue to provide food for families that participate in free- and reduced-price lunch programs. The programs will continue at 28 buildings across the city beginning March 23. With Monday’s announcement, AISD joins a host of school districts that have closed through the end of the month. KUT has the full list.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by Chad Swiatecki
Local businesses seek tax relief
Local bars and restaurants have joined together in promoting an online petition drive that seeks a reprieve from the state on monthly payments of both the mixed beverage tax and sales tax receipts. The petition, which as of Monday had gathered more than 6,000 signatures, asks the state comptroller’s office to cancel or delay payments of March taxes. The rationale is that delaying the payments would provide needed cash flow for businesses that have seen their revenue drop off severely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reads, in part: “We are asking the State of Texas to cancel or delay Mixed Beverage Gross & Sales Taxes, and/or Sales tax for a period of time. Payment of these taxes will undoubtedly cause even greater financial burden on already struggling businesses that are closing or being forced to close to stop the outbreak. This delay or cancel of tax will provide financial relief immediately to businesses that will file to pay the March 20th tax due. Federal tax credits at the end of this year will not help cash flow, but cessation of beverage taxes can help NOW. The food and beverage industry in the State of Texas is world class and we need relief immediately.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by Chad Swiatecki
Music Commission meeting canceled
A special emergency meeting of the Music Commission was canceled Monday as part of an overall curtailing of city operations and meetings intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. The meeting, which was to have taken place in City Council chambers Monday, was scheduled in the aftermath of the cancellation of South by Southwest. Commission Chair Rick Carney had hoped the meeting would present an opportunity for the music community to discuss measures to aid local venues, artists and others impacted by the cancellation of the 10-day festival, which accounts for approximately 25 percent of annual revenue for many music-related businesses in Austin. Carney wrote in a note: “The cancellation of SXSW was just the beginning of this crisis; this pandemic is threatening all aspects of the music business and the livelihoods of everyone involved. The Music Commission is fully committed to seeking disaster relief for musicians, venues, venue staff and music businesses victimized by this disaster.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by Tai Moses
City utilities implement courtesy reconnects
In addition to suspending disconnects in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, city utilities are reaching out to residential customers who have recently been disconnected for non-payment of their bills. According to the city, the utilities have “prioritized customers who may have had difficulty making payments at area stores due to long lines and staffing shortages” and “instituted courtesy reconnects, making payment arrangements that meet customers’ financial needs.” The goal is to “ensure customers have uninterrupted access to water, electricity and other city utilities.” Austin Energy’s Deputy General Manager Kerry Overton said the city “is committed to keeping customers safe and healthy. We are here to work with our customers and make sure everyone’s utilities are restored.” Those without service should call (512) 494-9400 for help. Find more information here.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Cap Metro board holds emergency meeting on COVID-19
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of directors will hold an emergency meeting this morning at 9 a.m., streaming live at the agency’s website. Thus far, in response to COVID-19, the agency has only cut services on its dozen shuttles that service students and faculty at the University of Texas. Agency spokesperson Mariette Hummel said the team is working all day every day to be able to respond in real time and implement any schedule changes as needed. Capital Metro is asking anyone who may be sick to refrain from traveling, and to limit non-essential travel to the greatest extent possible. It remains unlikely that transit service will be halted, though temporary schedule changes may be necessary. Capital Metro is enhancing its daily cleaning operations to add a disinfectant to commonly touched surfaces like handrails, door handles and stop request buttons. As is the case across the world, system ridership is down sharply, with MetroRail trains nearly empty yesterday, but Hummel added that ridership, and the revenue it generates for the agency, is not anyone’s primary concern at this point. Still, the crisis will certainly have an effect on sales tax revenue, which constitutes the bulk of Capital Metro’s funding operations. Economists are sounding warnings of a national recession, which could have an impact on the city’s anticipated property tax revenue election to fund its historic transit investment, Project Connect.
Monday, March 16, 2020 by Jo Clifton
Newman endorses Ann Howard in Precinct 3
Shiloh Newman, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 3, endorsed Ann Howard last week. Howard, who won 48 percent of the vote, will face Valinda Bolton in a runoff scheduled for May 26. The other candidate in the race, Sheri Soltes, has not indicated whether she intends to endorse either candidate. The winner of the runoff will face Republican Becky Bray in November. In the Republican primary for House District 47, former Council Member Don Zimmerman has endorsed Jennifer Fleck. Zimmerman, who had a one-vote margin over Justin Berry on election night, was behind by one vote after a count of late ballots. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Rep. Vikki Goodwin in November.
Monday, March 16, 2020 by Tai Moses
City revises lease for RHDA-funded properties
The Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department wants to expand and strengthen the tenant protections in its Rental Housing Development Assistance leases, used by tenants in RHDA-funded affordable housing. The department consulted with local developers and the tenant-rights organization BASTA to develop the proposed revisions, which are intended to “ensure transparency and compliance” for both tenants and property owners, says NHCD. Said James May, NHCD’s community development manager, “A lease agreement is a binding contract, with terms and conditions that can be complicated for those unfamiliar with them. Any way the city can help facilitate that understanding is a win for everyone involved.” To see the specific details on the revisions, visit RHDA Lease Addendum. Community members can give feedback during the 30-day public comment period, which ends April 13. Email comments to NHCD@austintexas.gov and include your name, address and phone number.
Monday, March 16, 2020 by Tai Moses
Safety contest invites submissions from young filmmakers
Safe Routes to School, an educational program from Austin Public Works, invites all seventh- and eighth-graders to enter its first annual Lights, Camera, Safety PSA Contest. To enter, students create a PSA – a public safety announcement – about being safe while walking and biking. Safe Routes to School “provides and trains crossing guards, teaches students how to walk and bicycle more safely, and partners with communities to improve students’ routes to school.” Sahiti Karempudi, who coordinates the program, says, “We want to give young filmmakers a platform to use their creativity for a good cause. We also want students to build on the lessons they learned from our program in elementary school to teach their peers about walking and biking safely.” The winning videos will be broadcast in middle schools across the city and winners will receive gift cards to Alamo Drafthouse. Submissions are open from March 10-30. Winners will be announced May 20. See contest guidelines and rules on the Lights, Camera, Safety website.
Friday, March 13, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Travillion running for county judge
County Judge Sarah Eckhardt formally resigned Tuesday to run for the Texas Senate. On Wednesday night, her colleague, County Commissioner Jeff Travillion, declared his intent to run for Travis County Judge. Travillion, who was first elected to serve Precinct 1 in 2016, announced his candidacy in a statement that can be read in full below, touting endorsements from an impressive array of elected officials.
Friday, March 13, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Council may talk elections on Tuesday
City Council may hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, March 17, in order to address a possible vacancy on Council. The vacancy would occur if Council Member Greg Casar opts to run for the Texas Senate to fill Kirk Watson’s seat. That would leave Casar’s District 4 seat open until January, as Council cannot appoint someone to serve out the rest of his term, which ends this year. To remedy that, the city will have to hold a special election, likely in May. In an email to Council offices, City Clerk Jannette Goodall notes a complicating factor, saying, “As a reminder, the governor has not set the date for the Special Election to fill Senator Watson’s vacancy; therefore while we are posted for 3 p.m., we may have to recess and reconvene if the governor has not set the date. Positive thoughts that this will be a non-issue.”
Friday, March 13, 2020 by Tai Moses
A splash of good news
The Save Our Springs Alliance wants to remind you that Barton Springs Pool, the crown jewel of Austin, is opening for the season this Saturday, March 14, at 5 a.m. Admission is free until 8 a.m., when the regular gate fee kicks in. Regular swimmers should consider buying a family season pass, which is good for two adults and two kids, whether you’re a family or a group of friends and neighbors. The pool is closed Thursdays for cleaning but the greenbelt is open daily for hiking. Parks and Recreation wants everyone to get outside for spring break, with a common-sense reminder to use best practices to stay safe and healthy.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Selvera endorses Garza
With the Travis County Attorney race headed to a runoff, former candidate Dominic Selvera has thrown his support behind Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza. Selvera won 7.53 percent of the vote on March 3. Garza, who won 38.91 percent, will face off against Laurie Eiserloh, who won 42.2 percent of the vote and the endorsement of the fourth person in the race, Mike Denton. Selvera explained his support in a Twitter thread:
1/7 When we began our campaign for Travis County Attorney in early 2019, our goal was to bring true criminal justice reform to our community by ending the cash bail system, ending the war on drugs, and decriminalizing homelessness. pic.twitter.com/QEkqmUZrBu
— Dominic Selvera 🌹 (@nicselvera) March 10, 2020