BG Reads | News You Need to Know (December 30, 2019)
[BINGHAM GROUP]
NEW -> Episode 67: Exploring Public Sector A.I. with Valkyrie Intelligence (LINK TO SHOW)
[AUSTIN METRO]
Austin’s homeless debate was our top story of 2019 (Austin American-Statesman)
For the past 10 days, we’ve revisited the biggest local stories of the year, as chosen by American-Statesman reporters and editors. From covering the five-month legislative session to remembering a pair of musicians who helped this place be unique, it’s been a noteworthy year for our community, and it’s a privilege for us to tell these stories.
Our choice for the top story of the year was an obvious one: It’s the story playing out on our streets — and in shelters, in churches, in City Council chambers. For 2019, homelessness in Austin — and the robust community debate about it — was the top story of the year. An annual count found 2,255 unsheltered homeless people in Austin this year, the most since 2011. Homeless encampments moved into plain sight for suburban commuters and downtown workers, as tents under highway bridges became commonplace… (LINK TO STORY)
Future of home values unclear in code rewrite (Austin American-Statesman)
To Austin Mayor Steve Adler, it was clear. Crystal clear. As Travis Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Marya Crigler had just laid out, any changes made in the overhaul of the city’s land development code allowing for larger and denser housing — upzoning — would not affect the appraised value of a home as long as it had a homestead protection.
For those on the Austin City Council more receptive to the overhaul’s proposed increases to housing density, it seemed they had the proof they needed to allay fears that the overhaul would cause dramatic increases to property values. “This is crystal clear, and I hope it gets reported that way,” Adler said. But the effect of the land code rewrite on property values is much murkier.
The city’s ongoing effort to overhaul city rules on what can be built and where could allow for greater housing density in many of Austin’s established central city neighborhoods. Though Crigler said this would have no immediate effect on a property’s appraised value — the dollar amount used to calculate property tax bills — it remains unclear what the new rules would do to the market values of homes… (LINK TO STORY)
[TEXAS]
New Texas Laws That Could Impact Your Life In 2020 (Patch)
A slew of new laws are set to take effect in Texas on Jan. 1, 2020, on myriad issues — from stricter provisions in reporting harassment at colleges and universities to more stringent reporting on data breaches to ending surprise medical fees.
The new laws all were passed during the 2019 session of the Texas Legislature. Among them… (LINK TO STORY)
Michael Bloomberg revs up Texas campaign with big plans (Texas Tribune)
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg is ramping up his efforts in Texas, with plans to build a state operation that his campaign says will be unrivaled by anyone else in the primary field.
In an announcement first shared with The Texas Tribune, his campaign said it will open a Texas headquarters in Houston and 16 field offices throughout the rest of the state between now and the March 3 primary. The offices will be spread across the Houston area, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Austin, East Texas, the San Antonio area, El Paso, Laredo, McAllen and the Killeen area… (LINK TO STORY)
[NATION]
California’s new privacy law is tough. How far will companies go to comply? (The New York Times)
Millions of people in California are now seeing notices on many of the apps and websites they use. “Do Not Sell My Personal Information,” the notices may say, or just “Do Not Sell My Info.”
But what those messages mean depends on which company you ask.
Stopping the sale of personal data is just one of the new rights that people in California may exercise under a state privacy law that takes effect Wednesday. Yet many of the new requirements are so novel that some companies disagree about how to comply with them.
Even now, privacy and security experts from different companies are debating compliance issues over private messaging channels like Slack.
The provision about selling data, for example, applies to companies that exchange the data for money or other compensation. Evite, an online invitation service that discloses some customer information for advertising purposes, said it would give people a chance to opt out if they do not want their data shared with third parties. By contrast, Indeed, a job search engine that shares users’ résumés and other information, posted a notice saying that people seeking to opt out “will be asked to delete their account.”… (LINK TO STORY)
Judge rules Denver’s urban camping ban unconstitutional (Denver Business Journal)
A Denver County Court has ruled that the city’s controversial camping ban is unconstitutional. Andy McNulty, an attorney with the Denver-based civil rights and employment law firm Killmer, Lane & Newman who represented the plaintiff Jerry Burton, said he has interpreted the ruling as an end to the city’s camping ban.
“This ruling prohibits the Denver police from arresting or harassing homeless people who are simply trying to survive on the streets,” McNulty said. “The decision is part of a broader movement by the courts to prohibit cities from enacting laws that seek to push homeless individuals out of sight.”
But Ryan Luby, a spokesman for the city's attorney office, said city lawyers will be appealing the case, which was filed in criminal court against Burton for violating a city ordinance.
“We disagree with the ruling and plan to appeal to District Court," Luby said in an email.
In 2012, the Denver City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting unauthorized camping on public and private property within the city limits. The ordinance, which became known as the “camping ban,” has drawn criticism since its inception… (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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