House District 47 was drawn to be a conservative stronghold in the liberal Austin area. But Texas political experts say rising frustration with President Donald Trump in a district he won by fewer than 200 votes, could change things.
Austin
Posted in
State Government
Nine Texas Facilities Commission employees departed after reports of agency dysfunction
Uniformed officers and what appeared to be locksmiths were spotted at the agency’s Austin headquarters the day former Executive Director Harvey Hilderbran was fired in January.
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Economy
Austin has mandated paid sick leave for workers, but Texas lawmakers are already working to reverse it
State lawmakers are already saying they will overturn an Austin ordinance passed Friday that requires paid sick leave for private employees.
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State Government
Ride-hailing nonprofit struggles to survive in Austin
RideAustin, one of several small companies that started operations in Austin last year after Uber and Lyft left the city, is now seeing its ridership cut in half since the two returned to town.
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Blocked Out
Despite “Texas miracle,” affordable housing difficult for many urban dwellers
A new Harvard study found that Americans — especially poorer ones — are having a harder time find a suitable place to call home. Texas lawmakers, experts and development industry leaders say there are plenty of reasons why that’s true here, too.
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Environment
Abbott grappled with local tree regulations targeted in special session
Before he became governor, Greg Abbott was asked to replant trees on his Austin property — a regulation he has set out to axe during the upcoming special session of the Texas Legislature.
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Politics
City leaders, advocates criticize Abbott for special session agenda
Some urban officials say the governor’s list of priorities for a summer session will harm the state’s economy and undercut local Texans’ abilities to influence their communities.
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State Government
Uber, Lyft returning to Austin on Monday
Uber and Lyft are returning to Austin on Monday, the same day Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign ride-hailing legislation passed by Texas lawmakers.
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Demographics
Trump administration doesn’t view Austin as “sanctuary” city, mayor says
Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he was reassured by United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday that neither his city nor Travis County are considered “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
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Economy
Austin group aims to reframe debates around city’s growth, development
Evolve Austin, a nonprofit that advocates for denser development and more affordable housing, is aligning with some high-profile real estate and business groups to push for changes to how Austin regulates land use.
