Austin Energy's Proposed Rate Change Draws Controversy

Critics say the base rate increase will hurt low-income customers

"...In April, Austin Energy proposed controversial changes to its rate structure – an increase to the base rate for..."

Sept. 2, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

AE Rate Proposal Double-Edged

Ratepayers expense also city income

"...expense side. The problem facing Austin is that every rate cut has an income consequence to city programs currently..."

Feb. 6, 2012 News Post by Michael King

Big, Contentious Austin Energy Rate Hike Finally Arrives at Council

Power for the people?

"...revealed a big ask: It wants to change its base rate structure for the first time since 2017. Back..."

Nov. 25, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Council Uses Its (Public) Power to Soften Austin Energy Rate Hike

Utility says it needs to recover $104 million in excess costs

"...for the people who have to sign off on rate increases before AE executives can implement them. But public..."

Oct. 21, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

AE Rate Hike Opponents Say 'Do It Over'

Opponents say Austin Energy's proposal is 'upside-down and backwards'

"...after the Electric Utility Commission narrowly approved an electric rate increase – the first in 17 years – representatives..."

Oct. 28, 2011 News Feature by Amy Smith

Austin Energy: Rate Cuts Solve Everybody's Problems

Council votes to approve utility rate reduction

"...an agreement with Austin Energy that will reduce utility rates for all AE's customers for the next five years...."

Sept. 2, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

City Base Wage Jumps to $20/Hour for Next Fiscal Year

Council approves increase for city workers

"...Council approved a property tax rate of 46.27 cents per $100 of taxable value, which..."

Aug. 26, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Council Approves New Austin Energy Rates; Advocates Disappointed

Average customer will see bill increase of $9 in March 2023

"...Austin Energy finally secured approval of its new customer rate structure...."

Dec. 9, 2022 News Post by Lina Fisher

Cole Hosts AE Forum at ACC

Panel discusses rate proposal, consequences, possible alternatives

"...of experts engaged the public on Austin Energy's proposed rate changes..."

Jan. 28, 2012 News Post by Michael King

Your Electric Bill Is About to Go Way Up

Council approves new Austin Energy rates, advocates disappointed

"...process (which ended just last week) to change its rate structure and increase its base customer charge (the part..."

Dec. 16, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Buffalo Soldiers

On an American military outpost in Europe during the Eighties, the black market economy runs the show.

"...Michael Pena, Leon Robinson, Dean Stockwell and Scott Glenn. Based on the novel by Robert O’Connor, the long-completed Buffalo..."

Aug. 22, 2003 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Just Say No!

Rick Perry's approach to sex education has helped Texas boost its teen pregnancy rate

"...working? In fact, we have the third-highest teen pregnancy rate in the country, among all the states."..."

Oct. 28, 2011 News Feature by Jordan Smith

City Council Gets Some Breathing Room on the Budget

Austin bounced back from COVID with what City Manager Spencer Cronk called “spectacular economic growth.” How spectacular?

"...3.5%, which was lawmakers' best guess of the statewide rate of inflation. Austin, you may have noticed, costs more..."

July 22, 2022 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Oh, This $20 Electric Bill Hike?

It’s on top of the other one

"...customer. That's on top of the controversial hike the ratepayer-owned utility has proposed to its base rate, which won't..."

Sept. 30, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Setting an Example

City increases its own base pay; will other employers follow suit?

"...cities are allowed to set higher than minimum wage base hourly rates for their own employees, something the city..."

Sept. 16, 2015 News Post by Amy Kamp

Point Austin: Whose Budget?

The council asks for a new budget, and Futrell delivers the same old bill

"...At that time, Futrell had estimated the "effective" tax rate – the rate that would bring in the same..."

Aug. 4, 2006 News Column by Michael King

Up, Up, and Away! Utilities Ready to Raise Rates

The budget gap will be plugged with rising utility rates.

"...tells whomever will listen that it "hasn't raised its base rates since 1994." (And says it has no plans..."

June 20, 2003 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

The LCRA Moves to Turn on the Tap

Future of Hill Country waits on Authority's decisions on water plan

"...Lower Colorado River Authority is projecting a thriving customer base to sprout over the next 30 years. While the..."

Dec. 3, 2004 News Feature by Amy Smith

The Chronicle’s 2017 Holiday Political Survival Guide

Borscht in a Bag, a male chastity belt, and more gifts to get you through the rut

"...the Economy: An Economic Analysis of the Top Tax Rates Since 1945. Authored by finance expert Thomas L. Hun­ger­ford,..."

Dec. 8, 2017 News Feature by the News Staff

Civics 101

"...budget, including proposed increases in property taxes and utility rates. 4pm. Council chambers, 301 W. Second. www.cityofaustin.org...."

Sept. 2, 2011 News Feature

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...electric bill if Austin Energy's proposal to raise the base rate sticks. The power provider submitted the proposal Monday,..."

April 22, 2022 News Feature

Pittsburgh Fans Are the Best in the NFL

Fans relate to the hard-working, blue collar mentality of the Pittsburgh Steelers

"...time that we recognized one of the best fan bases in pro football, the Pittsburgh Steelers. These fans don’t..."

Jan. 23, 2009 Sports Post by Justin Sanders

Can Federal Funds Clear Up Local Water Problems?

Water quality is worst in marginalized communities

"...Richard Franklin has lived in Austin's Colony, an unincorporated community in Austin's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) east of town..."

Sept. 15, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Council to Commit to Supporting Renters’ Rights

Tenant assistance, right to organize on the Oct. 13 agenda

"...will offer a variety of services to low- to moderate-income tenants throughout the city. Those services include: facilitated mediation..."

Oct. 14, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...trustees to adopt the district's 2002-03 budget and tax rate is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 26...."

Aug. 30, 2002 Column

Austin at Large: What’s Public, What’s Private

Power and parks: My conflicting views of privatizing public services and spaces

"...To summarize: I think we should let Austin Energy operate more like a private utility, but I have qualms..."

Dec. 2, 2022 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

Everything's Coming Up Green for City Employees in Better-Than-Expected Budget

Cronk: "We can be both lucky and good"

"...– most notably Austin Energy's proposed hike in its base rate and a 15% increase in the transportation user..."

July 15, 2022 News Post by Mike Clark-Madison

Black Fret Wants to Pay You $500 to Play for Workers on Zoom

Nonprofit reimagines the corporate gig in the age of COVID-19

"...As such, a certain type of corporate gig – where musicians perform exclusively for the workers..."

June 12, 2020 Music Post by Kevin Curtin

SXSW Music Panel: Kesha

“I’m not going to let hate win”

"...the $ in 2014) has developed a massive fan base in that time – for both her music and..."

March 15, 2017 SXSW Post by Sarah Marloff

How to Cook Meat and Influence People

Jess Pryles and the making of an Austin food celebrity

"...your past 10 posts, then multiple that by a base rate (often $1). The numbers obviously differ based on..."

Feb. 24, 2017 Food Feature by Dan Gentile

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10     NEXT ›    15 »