After the Deluge: Awash in Legal Fees

"...paid to 10 different law firms, which charged hourly billing rates ranging from $120 per hour to $350 per..."

Aug. 14, 1998 News Feature

Austin's Utilities Brace for Busy Billing Season

"If the water goes through the meter, you bought it. If electricity goes through the meter, you bought it."

"...I was told I will be subject to late fees and that I have to pay the amount and..."

May 19, 2017 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

The Hightower Report

Corporations now charge you to pay them; and Calpers corrals big business deserters.

"...rest -- which pocket billions by constantly tacking on fees and rigging their billings to gouge us...."

Dec. 27, 2002 News Column by Jim Hightower

Red Ink on Second Street: Default or Confusion?

Something's fishy Downtown, and local retailers say it stinks

"...due. Additionally, there were thousands of dollars in other fees: property tax and common area maintenance fees (both dating..."

May 4, 2007 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...is urging the Federal Communications Commission to expand its "truth-in-billing" rules to cover wireless phone companies, a move that..."

July 1, 2005 News Feature by Lee Nichols

Austin Water Woes

Despite abnormal water usage readings, Austin Energy says billing system accuracy is "extremely good"

"...charged for using 5,000 gallons during the Aug. 2014 billing period, then saw that number rise to 20,700 gallons..."

Sept. 11, 2015 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

How Accurate Is Your Water Bill?

Residents complain they're being overcharged; city disagrees

"...charged for using 5,000 gallons during the Aug. 2014 billing period before seeing that number rise to 20,700 gallons..."

Sept. 4, 2015 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

Paying the Piper Online

Stations, labels, and musicians wrestle over new Web royalties

"..."Royalty fees, particularly for Internet stations that don't make any money,..."

July 6, 2007 News Feature by Kevin Brass

A Drip of Progress for Northridge Acres

The state questions why the plan to provide water to Northridge Acres costs so much.

"...monthly for up to 3,000 gallons plus assorted late fees, reconnect fees, meter-reading fees, and other charges. The letter..."

Dec. 6, 2002 News Feature

Crash Course

Cabs try to survive in the era of Uber

"...Ben­e­fits are but pipe dreams. Drivers pay weekly lease fees to their franchises while on vacation, and when their..."

Aug. 7, 2015 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

The Ray Wants to Bring Electric Car Charging Stations and Roads to Central Texas

Helping Austin travelers reach the future faster

"...to pay for road building and maintenance. Shifting to fees charged to drivers based on usage – whether a..."

April 16, 2021 News Feature by Benton Graham

Broken News

Times Warner's struggling news channel lashes out at defectors

"...by Time Warner -- for "necessary and reasonable attorney fees" associated with the firm's representation of Time Warner, as..."

July 14, 2000 News Feature by Erica C. Barnett

The Common Law

How do I choose a lawyer?

"...always find out how you will be billed. Contingency billing, which allows your lawyer to take a percentage of..."

May 21, 2004 Column by Luke Ellis

The Common Law

Smart water meter installation

"...This rule also allows the utility provider to assess fees to recover costs associated with customers who refuse advanced..."

July 5, 2024 Column by Luke Ellis

Council, City Utilities Continue to Soften Blow of Storms

Reason to relieve

"...least April 3. Austin Water will also adjust its billing, using historical averages for customers' water usage instead of..."

March 5, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Austin Energy Still Hasn't Fixed Problems With Utility Bill Discounts on Expensive Homes

Consumer advocate requests audit of AE's Customer Assistance Program

"...Austin Energy manages billing for all city utilities and tracks customer eligibility for..."

Jan. 29, 2021 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Austin's Pool System Will Collapse If We Don't Save It

Shall we dive in?

"...radically changing how pools are funded: Instead of pool fees going to the General Fund as they do now,..."

June 1, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Playback: Strange Brew Empties

Financial duress buckles South Austin listening institution

"...that they only received a partial refund, sans "facility fees." Forbert's management didn't respond to queries of whether he..."

Jan. 20, 2017 Music Column by Kevin Curtin

72 Hours (or So) of Ridesharing

With Uber and Lyft still boycotting Austin, we take the competition for a drive

"...Facebook information, but then wants your email and your billing address (!). There is one cool feature: adding your..."

June 24, 2016 News Feature by Kahron Spearman

From the Archive: Welcome to Chaos

Originally published on Nov. 12, 1993: ATCEMS saves lives every day, but the stresses of the job have high costs

"...of that budget, with the remainder coming from patient billing. The department provides service for nearly 600,000 people throughout..."

May 8, 2015 News Feature by Raoul Hernandez

Luv Doc Recommends: Sims Benefit Bash

Austin Music Hall, Saturday, November 12, 2011

"...before the banks were tappin' your ass with usurious fees, penalties, and interest rates, the insurance companies were sucking..."

Nov. 11, 2011 Column by The Luv Doc

Point Austin: The Bottom Line on Health Care

Congress needs to act for universal health care

"...ever make a treatment decision based on the relative fees involved. (Those of you who have never, ever been..."

July 31, 2009 News Column by Michael King

Family Court Feud: Public Defenders for CPS Cases?

Two civil court judges hope to ensure better legal representation for indigent families

"...family attorneys $60 an hour, compared to a typical billing rate of $200 an hour charged by a defense..."

Aug. 29, 2008 News Feature by Laurel Chesky

Trouble on Green Mountain

Green Mountain blames regulatory and market obstacles for its woes, but critics cite lack of investment in clean energy.

"...regulatory events Green Mountain identified, involving transmission and purchasing fees, likely affected their bottom line, Consumers Union policy analyst..."

Nov. 25, 2005 News Feature by Daniel Mottola

Written in Stone

UT's Jim Bob Moffett and Freeport-McMoRan ride a new wave of allegations of business as usual: exploitation, cronyism, and environmental devastation

"...Associates "receives an annual fee of $200,000, additional consulting fees based on the services rendered, and reimbursement of reasonable..."

Sept. 23, 2005 News Feature by Robert Bryce

Uncovered

An AISD teacher fights against cancer … and the insurance company that refuses to treat it

"...used by a physician to identify a procedure for billing purposes is the same and does not differentiate between..."

July 23, 2004 News Feature by Rita Radostitz

Naked City

Downtown de-vitalization, flying Ron Wilson, Hyde Park flood & Ed Herman speaks

"...his mortgage (including $203 a month in homeowners association fees in addition to the price of his parking spot)..."

March 23, 2001 News Feature by Erica C. Barnett

The Speed of Technology

SXSW 2000 Interactive Festival

"...password-protection and credit card verification systems independent of large billing companies, the staff at Danni's Hard Drive have reduced..."

March 24, 2000 Screens Feature by David Garza

Council Watch

Travis Country residents battle with private school's placement of its athletic field

"...argument is that since they pay city taxes and fees, they should have the same protections as residents whose..."

Dec. 3, 1999 News Column by Jenny Staff Johnson

Who's Minding the Clinics?

City/County Divided on Public Health

"...one to three years, overhauling the clinics' record-keeping and billing methods and updating personnel training...."

May 1, 1998 News Feature by Kevin Fullerton

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