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The “Inherent Tension” Between Taxes and Affordability – Plus a Look at Campaign Contributions in the Prop Q Election
As the election on a City property tax increase (Prop Q) nears, opponents are beginning to hammer the point that the increase will affect the “affordability of Austin” — particularly for residents already on the verge of not being able to afford to live within the...
The Silence of the Shams
I can’t put it off any longer. It’s time to begin our coverage of the Prop Q election. That’s the election item on whether to raise the City of Austin property tax to the tune of $201 more per year on the “typical homeowner.” That $201 comes on top of a $268.23...
City of Austin Debuts New Logo To Harsh Reviews
Just after we put our last issue to bed and announced a week off, the the City of Austin came out with its new logo. At first I thought it was a joke when I saw former Council Member Mackenzie Kelly say online that it was about to happen. But, no. Within moments Kelly...
Talarico demanded that José Garza’s opponent “renounce Republican money” —then accepted over $50,000 from a Republican billionaire’s PAC the next day
Stories in a couple of national media outlets recently tried to paint rising young Texas Democratic star James Talarico as a hypocrite, saying he has slammed the role of billionaires in funding Texas politicians, but himself accepted $59,000 from a PAC associated with...
Doggett Will Step Aside If Redistricting Map Holds – Plus City Budget Wrap-Up
There was some really big news not long after out last story about Texas mid-decade redistricting. First, Congressman Greg Casar made clear, through surrogates, that he plans to run for the seat currently held by Lloyd Doggett. Republican mapmakers merged the Austin...
Doggett Message to Casar: Two (Democratic) Districts Are Better Than One
Texas House Democrats are still on the lam, but the glory is beginning to fade. It hasn’t helped that some in the national media have pointed out to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker that his state — where most fleeing Democrats are hiding out — is very gerrymandered...
True Stories
Legislature Adjourns – Greg Abbott Gets Meaner – States’ Rights Trumps Local Control
This week’s good news is that the Texas Legislature adjourned. The bad news is that they will be coming back later this year.
Abbott Defends Rights of the Unborn – The Born, Not so Much
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is looking out for the unborn, but he’s not quite as enthusiastic about protecting the already born, at least not all of them.
Giving the Anti-Strong Mayor Campaign Its Due – A Ray of Good News About Barton Creek – Another Major Zoning Case In East Austin
The Independent gives the stong mayor campaign its due; office towers proposed at former East Austin tank farm site, good news on Barton Creek, but a tragedy in the local environmental community.
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