BG Reads | News You Need to Know (January 30, 2020)
[BINGHAM GROUP]
NEW -> Episode 72: Market Talk - Atlanta and Southeast Lobbying with Howard Franklin of Ohio River South (LINK TO SHOW)
[AUSTIN METRO]
Pflugerville paves way for massive Amazon distribution facility (Austin Business Journal)
Amazon.com Inc.'s next big play in Central Texas is moving ahead despite some local opposition.
Pflugerville City Council on Jan. 28 approved a rezoning that will allow a 3.8 million-square-foot distribution and logistics facility to rise near State Highway 130 in the eastern part of the Travis County suburb.
The vote came on second and final reading — a couple of weeks after the first-reading vote on Jan. 14. The project won't have to return to an elected body like Council, although more administrative approvals for things such as the site plan are needed to break ground.
About 94 acres of agricultural property at 2000 E. Pecan St. will be rezoned into a planned unit development for what's been called Project Charm in city records… (LINK TO STORY)
Real Estate Council warns of potential land use code pitfalls (Austin Monitor)
Members of the Real Estate Council of Austin believe their input was largely ignored when the city made its last major attempt at a Land Development Code revision under CodeNEXT. At a Land Development Code luncheon Wednesday, Geoffrey Tahuahua, the organization’s vice president of policy and government affairs, said that’s a big reason CodeNEXT ultimately failed. This time around, he said, the nonprofit hopes the city will pay closer attention.
Wednesday’s discussion touched on many of the real estate industry’s concerns, from how the city will transition from the old code to the new; whether land use and transportation planning will be sufficiently aligned to support a mass transit system; and whether it will be feasible for developers and owners to max out zoning entitlements to meet the city’s need for smaller, more affordable housing types.
As a developer, Megan Frey of Endeavor Real Estate Group said the answers to those questions hang on specific regulations from criteria manuals that are currently being written. Without knowing specifics such as how wide a driveway needs to be or how much water needs to be captured in a retention pond, she said developers are unable to evaluate the code’s potential… (LINK TO STORY)
Head of Central Texas tolling agency resigning after 16 years of leadership (Community Impact)
Austin-based incubator Capital Factory is merging with startup organization Station Houston as part of a push to connect Texas’ major cities as a collaborative startup ecosystem.
After 16 years of overseeing projects such as the MoPac express lanes and Toll 183A, the executive director of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority announced Jan. 29 he is stepping down.
In 2002, the Texas Legislature created the agency to develop regional transportation options. Mike Heiligenstein was named the executive director the following year when the agency became operational. He said in a news release that the job has been his most rewarding.
“I’m humbled to have served beside our board and staff, and I have never been more confident that the Mobility Authority is poised for incredible growth and continued success,” he said in a statement. “As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to applying the experience I’ve gained here and the best practices I’ve learned to successfully deliver major infrastructure projects, which could benefit many other organizations across the state and country.”
Heiligenstein plans to remain in his role until the agency transitions to a new leader.
“Mike's commitment to improving mobility and air quality will long be felt in the region,” said state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, in the news release. “Involved in the Mobility Authority since its inception, he has been integral to shaping the organization and its commitment to effective community engagement that helps create projects the community not only wants but can be proud of. Mike has embraced our community values—from leading edge environmental standards to the inclusion of bike and pedestrian paths along the roads—and he ensured they have been integrated in each project the agency has delivered.”… (LINK TO STORY)
[TEXAS]
Democrats regroup after Republicans score easy win in Texas House special election (Texas Tribune)
State and national Democrats are regrouping after a tough loss Tuesday in a special election runoff for a Texas House seat that they had targeted in their drive to flip the chamber in November.
The result — a 16-point win by Republican Gary Gates over Democrat Eliz Markowitz — left Democrats insisting the seat will be more competitive in November and citing unique factors like Gates' self-funding capacity. But they also acknowledged they could have some lessons to learn after a race that drew a flood of out-of-district attention — and the higher stakes that came with it.
On one hand, Austin-based Democratic consultant Glenn Smith said, HD-28 is a "really hard district." It ranks 16th out of 22 on the list of seats that Democrats believe they can flip in the fall.
"On the other hand, sometimes we get out in front of ourselves by raising expectations and frankly talking too much about what we're doing and what we're gonna do instead of just doing it," said Smith, who was not involved in the race. "I completely agree with taking the fight to the other side whenever we can ... but they got in front of themselves about how wonderful this was gonna be."… (LINK TO STORY)
Lorraine Birabil beats James Armstrong III in race to replace Eric Johnson in Texas House (Dallas Morning News)
Veteran activist Lorraine Birabil defeated developer James Armstrong III on Tuesday in the race to replace Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson in the Texas House. She opened a commanding lead in early voting, and by late Tuesday night, there were not enough uncounted votes to change the outcome.
“I am so incredibly thankful for the strong support of my neighbors," Birabil told The Dallas Morning News. " I’m ready to go to work for residents in every corner of the district. I will work tirelessly every day.” Birabil has the backing of the area’s Democratic political elite, including U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. She easily won November’s first round, creating the momentum that propelled her Tuesday… (LINK TO STORY)
Cornyn has $12 million for reelection bid after raising $2.8 million in fourth quarter (Texas Tribune)
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has $12.1 million in the bank for his reelection bid after collecting $2.75 million over the last three months, according to his campaign.
The numbers, first shared with The Texas Tribune on Wednesday, continue to give Cornyn a massive advantage as he awaits the outcome of a crowded Democratic primary. The contenders include MJ Hegar, who announced Tuesday that she raised over $1.1 million in the fourth quarter and has $1 million cash on hand.
No other candidates have shared their fourth-quarter numbers yet ahead of a Friday deadline to report them to the Federal Election Commission.
Detailing his latest haul, Cornyn's campaign said two-thirds of donations came from Texans, 94% of contributions were $100 or less, and his average online donation was $38. Hegar's campaign, meanwhile, said a majority of her contributions continue to come from Texas, nine out of 10 continue to be $100 or less and her average online donation was $22 in the fourth quarter… (LINK TO STORY)
[NATION]
Senators take reins of impeachment trial in marathon question session (The Hill)
Senators on Wednesday used a roughly 10-hour long session to try to poke holes in their opponents' case and assist their own party in filling potential gaps in the impeachment trial of President Trump.
Wednesday was the start of a two-day question-and-answer session in the Senate, marking a more direct role for senators who have had to sit silently during the six days of opening arguments.
Senators asked more than 90 questions and ran the gamut of top targets for both sides, including former national security adviser John Bolton, former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, and the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint helped trigger the impeachment inquiry... (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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