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Cowboying-Up in Chicago – Texas Democrats on the Lam
Things were really looking up for Texas Democrats. Sure, Donald Trump is President and Democrats haven’t won a statewide election since 1994. But, hope springs eternal. Texas Democrats have been pumped up recently because Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton...
Austin Firefighters Union Blames Austin Fire Chief for Deaths in Kerr County — And Generates Right Wing Attacks On Chief
Last week we discussed how Republican anti-government, anti-tax, anti-regulation ideology contributed to the July 4 flooding tragedy in Kerr County. In an upcoming segment we will look at how that ideology played out earlier this year at the Texas Legislature. Plus,...
Despite Uncertainty in Media Reports, Council Appears Set on Tax Rate Election Path
Some local media have suggested that a Tax Rate Election (TRE) may occur for the 2025-26 City of Austin budget. Recent Council activity indicates it's all but decided. The Audit and Finance Committee meeting on July 22nd, along with the City Council Message Board...
Ideology and the Kerr County Flood
Here in Austin it seemed like such a pleasant July 4 afternoon. Rain was coming down, not in a threatening way, but in a very welcome and comforting way — keeping the Texas heat at bay in the middle of summer. It was very relaxing. Then I checked the news. A...
Jackie Goodman – A Life In and For Austin
Jackie Goodman wielded her power on the Austin City Council quietly and responsibly— and she used it to benefit Austin.
Council Reaches Decision on Acacia Cliffs, As Residents Make Last Stand
The Austin City Council had another crowded zoning agenda on June 5. Numerous residents of East Austin turned out to express reservations about proposed DB90s (Density Bonus, 90 feet in height) at the northeast corner of Oak Springs and Airport and another at 2967...
True Stories
Task Force Recommends No Cadet Class and No Guns for Police – Plus A Short Check In on Greg Abbott
Let’s start by checking in on Governor Greg Abbott, who we haven’t discussed in a while. Abbott is actually an Austin voter and he took time after voting early on Tuesday April 20 to tell waiting media that he voted for Proposition B. That is the proposed reversal of...
Will Others in Texas Follow Austin’s Lead on COVID? Just Kidding
Travis County’s COVID-19 fatality rate is less than half that of Texas. Commissioner Shea wonders if others in Texas will try to learn from Austin
Explanations from ERCOT and Austin Energy Plus a Possible New Approach for Ted Cruz
Let’s hit a few points not covered in the accompanying article. First, a lot of questions were raised yesterday about why downtown Austin was still lit up while adjacent East Austin was almost totally dark — as were many other parts of town. Austin Energy responded...
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