Austin City Council meets today, Thursday, June 10, at 10am, to tackle a lengthy 127-item agenda before its July summer break. A final vote on raising the general homestead exemption to the state maximum of 20% is expected to pass. Read more.
Caged in Controversy The Travis County Commissioners Court postponed its vote earlier this week on the design contract for a new $79 million women’s jail facility at the Travis County Correctional Complex in Del Valle. Criminal justice advocacy groups have opposed the expansion, arguing that the funding should be used to invest in alternative support programs and resources. Commissioners will vote on the measure next week on Tuesday, June 15. Read more.
Ada Collins Anderson, a legendary Black community leader, died last week at the age of 99. Anderson was the first Black member of Austin Community College‘s board of directors, serving 1982-86. In 2014 Anderson donated $3 million to her alma mater, Huston-Tillotson University, the largest gift in that school’s history.
Back in the Blue The Austin Police Department‘s first new cadet class in more than a year is underway. The 144th cadet class will be the first trained with the Reimagined Police Cadet Training Academy curriculum approved by City Council last month.
Remember the Alamo Alamo Drafthouse announced it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after completion of a sale to an investor group that includes Altamont Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group, and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. The movie theatre chain said it plans to open five new locations within the next year, including its first theatres in Manhattan, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
World Class Woes Beleaguered World Class Holdings CEO and founder Nate Paul lost nine properties in foreclosure auctions, including his Downtown headquarters in the historic Hirshfeld-Moore House and the former 3M campus in Northwest Austin. Los Angeles-based Karlin Real Estate LLC acquired most of the properties. Paul has threatened legal action; belligerent protesters of unknown origin tried to disrupt the auctions; and Karlin’s team met resistance at 3M upon taking possession, leading the police to be called.
Getting Into the GLO Flow Texas state Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, launched her bid to be land commissioner, as incumbent George P. Bush launched his challenge to Attorney General (and Nate Paul bestie) Ken Paxton. She’d be the first woman to helm the General Land Office. As nature abhors a vacuum, ex-Council Member Ellen Troxclair on Wednesday kicked off her campaign to replace Buckingham in the Texas Senate.
Quote of the Week
“We need that conversation about what is the encampment plan, because I don’t think there’s a real understanding yet.”
– Mayor Steve Adler at Council’s special called meeting on Monday, June 7
This article appears in June 11 • 2021.