BG Reads | News You Need to Know (March 3, 2020)
[BG Blog]
Bingham Group Recognizes Black Austin Business, Community, and Policy Leaders (LINK TO POST)
[BG PODCAST]
Episode 76 - Culture Talk with Kahron Spearman, Austin Chronicle Writer and Critic (LINK TO SHOW)
[AUSTIN METRO]
SXSW not canceling conference, despite petition (Austin American-Statesman)
In keeping with a directive by the Austin bishop, a Catholic parish said it would discontinue the distribution of Communion directly on the tongue and asked churches to “refrain from the practices of holding hands during the Our Father and of shaking hands at the Sign of Peace, and that holy water be removed from places where it is uncirculated and unfiltered.”
The mayor of San Antonio announced a state of emergency. Writers flying into that city for a major publishing conference due to start this week were given these instructions: “Fewer handshakes, more smiles, louder greetings, thoughtful nods!” SXSW officials said Monday they are proceeding with conference. Amid escalating anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus, South by Southwest festivals officials said Monday they are proceeding with the massive conference… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Big Austin Events Remain On Course As Coronavirus Concerns Grow (KUT)
One of Austin’s biggest months for visitors has begun, just as concerns grow around the new coronavirus COVID-19. While most events are proceeding as planned, the scenario in which a large event would be shut down over the virus is a little murky.
Every March, the city becomes a playground for locals and visitors from around the world with South by Southwest, the PGA World Golf Championship Dell Match Play, the Austin Urban Music Festival, Texas Relays, Rodeo Austin and many other large events. Normally, that’s a good thing, but when you throw in a global health scare, it can be worrisome.
The city will also be exporting travelers, with thousands of students and educators leaving for spring break.
Large events in other major cities are being cancelled, including a large energy conference in Houston originally set for next weekend… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Austin Mayor Steve Adler endorses Joe Biden for President (KXAN)
Austin Mayor Steve Adler is endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden for President, KXAN has confirmed. Adler announced his decision during an interview on MSNBC Monday.
The mayor told MSNBC that there are nine house seats he wants to flip in Texas for Democratic control and he believes “Biden is the best chance of making that happen.”
Adler previously endorsed former Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg at a April 2019 campaign event in South Bend, Indiana, but Buttigieg suspended his campaign Sunday night. Adler has said in previous interviews that he considers Buttigieg a mentor and a friend.
Adler told KXAN’s Alyssa Goard through text that he decided to endorse Biden “for his heart, his experience, and because he can bring the country together to heal.” … (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Austin Council Member Greg Casar files initial paperwork for run at Kirk Watson’s vacated Texas Senate seat (Community Impact)
Greg Casar, District 4 Austin City Council member, has appointed a treasurer for his potential run at the seat of state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, that was recently vacated; however, if Casar wishes to become a candidate for the Senate seat, he will have to first resign from City Council, according to a legal memo obtained by Community Impact Newspaper.
Casar filed paperwork March 2 naming Aimee Arrambide, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, as the treasurer of his Texas Senate campaign. Casar can now begin seeking campaign donations and said he will make an announcement about his decision whether to run “in the coming days.”
Although his naming a treasurer and seeking donations makes him a candidate in some respects, he cannot officially become a candidate until he resigns from City Council, according to a legal memo to Casar written by attorney James E. Cousar of the Austin-based firm Thompson & Knight LLP.
Article 3, Sect. 19 of the Texas Constitution mandates that anyone holding any “lucrative office,” whether under the United States or any foreign government, is ineligible for the Texas Legislature. Cousar, in his memo to Casar, said resignation does not become effective until it is accepted by City Council or eight days after the resignation has been submitted to the City Council. Casar will remain ineligible until he has resigned.In his memo, Cousar notes that a council member who has resigned does not leave his seat immediately. After submitting his resignation, Casar would remain in his council seat until a replacement has been elected to the remainder of his term or until Casar is elected to another office. Casar is in his last year of his first four-year term on City Council… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Petitioners may collect signatures outside libraries (Austin Monitor)
The Austin Public Library has adopted new rules relating to free speech and petitioning at city libraries, according to a memo Library Director Roosevelt Weeks sent to the mayor and Council last week.
That memo states that the new rules were adopted on Oct. 8, 2019, about 20 months after people gathering signatures on petitions outside public libraries received criminal trespass warnings. Those citations were later dismissed after attorneys Bill Aleshire, Bill Bunch and Fred Lewis informed the library staff that their actions to stop the petitioners were illegal.
Under the old rules, the library prohibited distributing literature or otherwise soliciting customers on library property. The old rules also prohibited soliciting money “or any other thing of value.” That section now says a customer may not “distribute literature or otherwise solicit customers inside library buildings or parking areas.” The new rules do not prohibit petitioners from gathering signatures and talking to people on the sidewalk.
According to Weeks, the Library Department worked closely with the Law Department to determine how to modify the rules.… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[TEXAS]
San Antonio mayor declares health emergency, orders coronavirus evacuees to stay in quarantine (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Monday afternoon declared a local state of disaster and public health emergency to keep more than 120 coronavirus evacuees on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland — and forbid the influx of new evacuees to the city. The evacuees from a cruise ship were to be released Monday.
“Pursuant to the statutory authority …, I, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, declare that ingress into and travel through the City of San Antonio from Lackland by those persons that have been quarantined in the facility is not permitted. No previously quarantined person shall be permitted to enter the City of San Antonio until further notice.” The declaration could compel the evacuees to stay in quarantine for at least a week under state law, possibly pitting local and federal officials against each other over to handle the ship passengers. Earlier in the day, Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff called on state and federal officials not to release the remaining evacuees in quarantine at Lackland until they can be tested once more for the coronavirus. Gov. Greg Abbott and state health officials said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is in charge of the quarantined evacuees, needs to provide a written rationale before releasing any more people… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
UT pledges to fire employees who commit sexual misdeeds, be more transparent (Dallas Morning News)
Following an external review of its sexual misconduct policies, the University of Texas at Austin says, in the future, it will fire employees found to have committed sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking or interpersonal violence. UT President Greg Fenves on Monday announced the policy changes, along with a report of recommendations from legal firm Husch Blackwell, in an email to the UT community.
They are based on the input of a university misconduct working group formed in response to multiple student protests last fall over faculty members who were allowed to return to teaching after being disciplined for sexual misconduct. “Sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence will not be accepted at the University of Texas at Austin,” Fenves wrote. “If a faculty or staff member commits these acts, the consequences will be clear.” Last fall, many students called for the firing of professors with histories of misconduct. Fenves told students at a January town hall that in the past the university made the determination on whether to terminate employment and how much of a safety threat a faculty member presented “based on the facts of the case.” … (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Joe Biden wins endorsements from former rivals as candidates make their final pitches to Texans (Texas Tribune)
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden sprinted through Texas on Monday looking to capitalize on his big win in South Carolina — and eager to ride the momentum into the state's delegate-rich primary Tuesday, when 13 other states vote, too.
Biden's momentous day culminated with a visit to Dallas where he won the support of three ex-rivals: former presidential candidates Beto O'Rourke, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. The nod from O'Rourke, the former El Paso congressman, was the most surprising — he had said he did not plan endorse before the primary, and news of his endorsement did not leak until shortly before the rally was scheduled to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow — March 3, 2020 — I will be casting my ballot for Joe Biden, and let me tell you why: We need somebody who can beat Donald Trump," said O'Rourke, who went on to call Biden the "antithesis" of Trump. "Joe Biden is decent, he's kind, he's caring, he's empathetic."… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[NATION]
New York’s Governor Cuomo requires insurers to waive cost sharing for COVID-19 tests (Tech Crunch)
In a move that other states might want to emulate, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said that the state’s Department of Financial Services is requiring health insurers in the state to waive cost sharing associated with testing for the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
The initiative paves the way for low-cost emergency room, urgent care, and hospital visits for patients worried that they may have contracted the virus.
The Governor also said that New Yorkers receiving Medicaid coverage will not be expected to pay a co-pay for any testing related to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The steps are designed to ensure that residents of the state won’t have to worry about cost as an obstacle for getting tested. Any tests that are being conducted at the State’s Wadsworth Lab are fully covered.
Cuomo’s administration also outlined other actions health insurers are either going to be required or advised to take — including informing New Yorkers of available benefits, offering telehealth medical advice and treatment, and preparing insurers to cover the costs of COVID-19 immunizations if a vaccine becomes available… (LINK TO FULL 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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