BG Reads | News You Need to Know (December 13, 2019)
[BINGHAM GROUP]
NEW -> BG Podcast Episode 65: Commercial Real Estate Market from Banking Perspective with Allan Rayson, Regions Bank (LINK TO SHOW)
[AUSTIN METRO]
Homeowners Sue City For Right To Protest Changes Under Proposed New Land Code (KUT)
A group of homeowners is suing the City of Austin, asking it to recognize what they say is their right to challenge the rezoning of their land under the city's proposed new land code.
Austin City Council members took a preliminary vote on the code rewrite Wednesday; a final vote is expected in March.
The city's legal department has maintained homeowners do not have the right to object because the proposed new code would equate to a citywide rezoning, and protest rights do not apply to such comprehensive changes… (LINK TO STORY)
Austin among nation’s ‘emerging jobs’ leaders, report finds (Austin American-Statesman)
Technology-related careers dominate the list of fastest-growing U.S. jobs -- and Austin is one of the country’s top markets for those jobs, according to a new report from business networking site LinkedIn.
In its 2020 Emerging Jobs Report, LinkedIn identifies the jobs with the highest rate of hiring growth over the past five years, based on data compiled by all LinkedIn members with a public profile who have held a full-time position in the U.S within the part five years. The “emerging jobs” were determined by the share of hiring and compound annual growth rate for each occupation between 2015 and 2019, according to the report.
These emerging jobs will in many cases require people in the workforce to learn new skills to maintain an existing job or pursue a new one, according to the report... (LINK TO STORY)
Austin coalition’s $14M goal to fund emergency homeless shelters raises just $50K in first month — what now? (KXAN)
The coalition of business groups who want to put up a new temporary shelter for Austin’s homeless tells KXAN low early fundraising numbers will not stop their effort. Leaders at ATX Helps are banking on large donations from foundations, corporations, and non-profits in the weeks ahead.
Bill Brice from the Downtown Austin Alliance says the Sprung Shelter is still on track to be built by around March.
“I think that’s still realistic is things continue to come through and right now we’re starting to narrow down potential sites,” said Brice.
The ATX Helps Coalition, which includes the Downtown Austin Alliance and the Austin Chamber of Commerce, needs $3 million for capital costs to build the shelter. They have $50,000 from individuals.
And at the current pace, it would take them more than two decades to raise their ultimate goal of $14 million to build a new temporary shelter with wraparound services… (LINK TO STORY)
[TEXAS]
Biden holds 20-point lead in Texas, poll says (Austin American-Statesman)
Former Vice President Joe Biden has opened up a commanding 20-point lead in the Texas Democratic primary, according to a CNN poll released Wednesday. Among likely Democratic primary voters, 35% say they support Biden, compared with 15% for Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, 13% for Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and 9% for South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Julián Castro, former U.S. housing secretary and the remaining Texan in the race, garnered just 3% of likely primary voters’ support in his home state.
Biden had 23% support in a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll in November. Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso, who registered 14% support in that survey, and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California have since dropped out of the race. But Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, said it’s unlikely that Biden picked up a majority of O’Rourke and Harris supporters, and it’s too early to know where their supporters will go, he said. “This is still a race where name recognition is driving some of the responses,” Henson said. “What we’re seeing is name recognition more than any other powerful driving force.” In potential general election matchups, the CNN poll found Biden performed the best against President Donald Trump in Texas… (LINK TO STORY)
Turner holds wide lead over Buzbee in new mayoral runoff poll (Houston Chronicle)
Mayor Sylvester Turner leads runoff opponent Tony Buzbee by more than 20 points, according to a KHOU/Houston Public Media poll released Wednesday. The survey found 56 percent of likely voters support the mayor, while 34 percent back Buzbee, a millionaire trial lawyer who finished second in the first round of the mayoral election.
The poll of registered voters who previously were surveyed for a September poll also revealed that 53 percent of those who supported Bill King, the third-place finisher, were backing Buzbee, while 37 percent support Turner. The survey took place between Nov. 20 and Dec. 5, and involved 234 of the 516 voters who participated in the September poll. The margin of error is 6.4 percent. Asked about the poll result, Turner said, “the only poll that really matters will be the poll that comes out on Saturday,” which is Election Day. Early voting ended Tuesday… (LINK TO STORY)
San Antonio mayor’s aquifer maneuvering surprised — and annoyed — Council allies (San Antonio Express-News)
Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s announcement that SAWS would take over an existing Edwards Aquifer protection program to free up sales tax funding to improve the city’s bus service has exposed long-simmering tension with City Council members who don’t believe he fully briefs them before unveiling major initiatives. The dispute puts on display the delicate balance of personalities and politics that any big city mayor must navigate. But in San Antonio, the problems are between a liberal mayor — he prefers “progressive” — and liberal council colleagues. They might share his policy views but frequently are surprised by steps he takes to achieve them, several said Wednesday.
“This lack of communication with the mayor is not a perception. It is real,” Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran said. “This is not the first time I and others on the council have found out about a major decision in the media before we heard from the mayor’s office.” At issue is Nirenberg’s request that SAWS take over a widely supported program that has protected 160,000 acres from development over environmentally sensitive parts of the aquifer, the source of most of the city’s water. The program, which also funds linear parks, now is managed by the city and funded by a voter-approved, 1/8-cent sales tax that has brought in about $40 million a year for 20 years. Leaders of the city-owned utility signaled their willingness to adopt the program at a meeting Tuesday, though at what level of funding remains unclear. Nirenberg is on the SAWS board… (LINK TO STORY)
[NATION]
Senate gears up for battle over witnesses in impeachment trial (The Hill)
Republican and Democratic senators are gearing up for an intense battle over witnesses at an impeachment trial likely to set the tone for the 2020 election.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) have yet to start negotiating on the parameters for the trial, but lawmakers are already jockeying over key questions such as how long a trial should last, whether witnesses will be called and if the White House will be subpoenaed for documents.
Democrats and Republicans appear to be on the cusp of trading rhetorical places… (LINK TO STORY)
The Bingham Group, LLC is an Austin-based full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on municipal, legislative, and regulatory matters throughout Texas.
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