BG Reads | News You Need to Know (July 20, 2023)
[BG PODCAST]
EPISODE 206 // Bingham Group CEO A.J. Bingham and Associate Hannah Garcia discuss the recently released, City of Austin FY 23-24 Budget.
The discussion covers:
City of Austin released FY23-24 Budget on July 16th → assets.austintexas.gov/budget/23-24/…ed_Budget.pdf
KEY DATES
• July 26 → Work Session focused on General Fund with Public Comment being heard on Budget
• August 1 → Work Session focused on Enterprise Fund with Public Hearing regarding maximum tax rate.
• August 10 → Work Session focused on Budget Amendments and Budget IFCs
• August 16 - 18 → Council will vote on Budget
>>> SHOW LINK <<<
Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
[CITY OF AUSTIN]
The Request for Qualifications (RFQ ) for the City Manager Search Firm was released Monday by the City Procurement office. Responses are due on August 15th by 2PM. RFQ LINK HERE.
Per Mayor Kirk Watson’s office (posted on the Council Message Board), “The City Manager Search Committee will meet to discuss proposals and conduct interviews with respondents in late August and early September. The City Manager Search Committee’s goal is to provide a recommendation for a Search Firm to be considered by the full Council at our Council Meeting on October 5th.”
Along with Mayor Watson, the Search Committee is composed of Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis (District 8), and Council Members Leslie Pool (District 7), Chito Vela (District 4), and Vanessa Fuentes (District 2).
[AUSTIN METRO]
Proposed budget emphasizes city basics, long-term financial stability (Austin Monitor)
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza and city financial staff on Wednesday presented their proposed $5.5 billion budget for 2023-24.
Austin taxpayers currently pay 46.27 cents per $100 taxable value. That rate will decline to 42.42 cents for next year, although increased property values will mean that the typical Austin homeowner will still see a 1.5 percent increase in their tax bill from the city, which is estimated to be close to $26 a year. Overall, the city expects to collect 3.2 percent more in property taxes next year than it currently does… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Austin city manager wants to raise city employee pay in 2023-24 budget (Austin American-Statesman)
For a second year in a row, the city of Austin is hoping to increase city employee wages an additional 4% and raise the minimum wage for permanent and temporary city employees to $20.80 per hour.
Under the proposed $5.5 billion 2023-24 budget draft, the pay raise is recommended to help keep up with increased costs of living and to curb staffing vacancies, which are at 14.4% across the city.
"We feel this increase is necessary to keep us competitive in the labor market so we can continue to attract and retain the best quality employees that we can," Ed Van Eenoo, the city's chief financial officer, told the City Council during a work session Wednesday… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Garza explains motivations behind proposed changes to Equity, Civil Rights offices (Austin monitor)
At Wednesday’s budget work session, interim City Manager Jesús Garza offered some of his rationale behind the proposed reorganization of four city offices, a change that has drawn criticism from community groups involved in equality and racial justice.
During the session, City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes asked Garza to explain his reasoning behind the changes, which could see the Equity and Civil Rights offices combined with the Small and Minority Business Resources Department under the new office of Civic and Business Equity. Another planned reorganization would have the Sustainability and Resilience offices become part of the Planning Department… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Proposed City of Austin budget gives APD its largest allotment ever (CBS Austin)
The City of Austin’s proposed 2023-2024 budget is allocating $476.5 million to the Austin Police Department. That’s an increase from last year’s budget by nearly $32 million. The budget also includes giving civilian employees a four-percent pay increase.
Kathy Mitchell is with Equity Action, the local non-profit behind Proposition A, a ballot measure looking to strengthen the office of police oversight.
“It’s the largest police budget ever in the city for sure,” she said.
Mitchell questions why the proposed budget creates more positions within APD, rather than adding officers on the streets… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Austin to get team in Arena Football League relaunch (Austin Business Journal)
Professional football is coming to Austin in 2024.
The Arena Football League, which went bankrupt for a second time in 2019, is making a return under new ownership and Austin was named one of the 16 locales to have teams on Tuesday.
Professional football is coming to Austin in 2024.
The Arena Football League, which went bankrupt for a second time in 2019, is making a return under new ownership and Austin was named one of the 16 locales to have teams on Tuesday… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[TEXAS]
Texas’ razor wire, buoys at border violate international law, Mexican officials saY (Dallas Morning News)
Texas’ installation of a razor wire fence, which has led to an increase in migrant injuries, and a floating border barrier along the Rio Grande violates international law, Mexican officials and experts said. Gov. Greg Abbott has also openly touted that Texas is ignoring federal permitting requirements when placing any structure along waterways. U.S. State Department officials said Texas repeatedly ignored requests for proper inspection of wiring and buoys to ensure they do not violate any international treaties. “We aren’t asking for permission,” Abbott tweeted in March, referring to the state’s erecting 60 miles of concertina wire. Shortly before a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper sent an internal memo detailing what he called inhumane treatment at the border, Mexico’s incoming foreign affairs secretary sent a diplomatic memo to the United States accusing Texas officials of violating bilateral treaties from 1944 and 1970.
On Friday in Mexico City, top Mexican diplomat Alicia Bárcena told reporters she issued the memo on June 26 and is sending a team to inspect the razor wire fencing and floating buoys Texas installed. “The Mexican Government requested the United States that the buoys mentioned, just like the razor wire fencing, should be removed from the channel of the Rio Grande due to obstruction and deviation of runoffs toward Mexican territory,” a press release from her office noted. The Dallas Morning News asked spokespeople for several state and federal agencies to respond to Mexico’s concerns. In a written statement Monday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Texas did not consult the federal government before laying down the wiring or buoys. Travis Considine, a spokesman for Texas DPS, said agency officials will not comment on the diplomatic note because they have not seen it. Andrew Mahaleris, an Abbott spokesman, said the governor’s office has not received any communications from President Joe Biden’s administration or the Department of Homeland Security about the wiring or the buoys. Mahaleris did not respond to questions about whether Texas was violating the treaties or skirting permitting requirements. Mahaleris instead cited Biden’s immigration policies… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Prosecutors dismiss DWI charge against Sen. Charles Schwertner (Austin American-Statesman)
Travis County prosecutors have dismissed a drunken driving charge against state Sen. Charles Schwertner, the lawmaker's lawyer told the American-Statesman. Schwertner, R-Georgetown, was arrested in February, early in the legislative session, after an early morning traffic stop in Austin and charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor that briefly sent him to jail. Schwertner's lawyer, Perry Minton, said Monday night that prosecutors with the county attorney's office told him they have dismissed the case. County Attorney Delia Garza's office confirmed the dismissal Tuesday afternoon. "After reviewing the evidence presented to our office, we determined there was not sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," the county attorney's office said in a statement.
"Mr. Schwertner also voluntarily submitted to alcohol counseling and alcohol monitoring with no violations. One of our priorities in ensuring public safety is to encourage people to seek the help and education they need to be accountable and prevent potential future harm. After considering all factors, prosecutorial discretion determined the appropriate resolution was a dismissal. Mr. Schwertner’s case was given the same consideration as other individuals facing a first-time DWI offense." Schwertner, a 53-year-old orthopedic surgeon, was elected to the Texas House in 2010 before winning a Senate seat in 2012. His district includes Georgetown, Round Rock, Bastrop, Bryan, College Station and Huntsville. Minton said the county attorney's office made the right decision "based strictly on the evidence." "Sen. Schwertner is grateful for this quick decision and remains focused on his family and constituents," Minton said. At 12:45 a.m. Feb. 7, an Austin officer spotted a 2022 black Cadillac "swerving to the right and left and split the two lanes repeatedly" along West 45th Street, according to an affidavit. The officer pulled Schwertner over and said the senator had bloodshot, glassy and watery eyes and was confused and had slurred speech. Later that morning, Schwertner was set to preside over a Senate committee meeting on the state's power grid and recent winter outages. The meeting proceeded with Schwertner absent. At the time, Minton issued a statement saying Schwertner was "humble and embarrassed by his circumstances but he was clear-eyed, sober and making good sense."… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Democrats eye Sen. Ted Cruz's seat in Republican-dominated Texas as a possible fliP (NPR)
Democrats are facing a tough U.S. Senate map next year. The party will need to hold on to some vulnerable seats in Republican states, as well as potentially flip a seat or two if they lose any of those closely watched races if they hope to remain in control of the chamber. One of the seats they are hoping to flip is in deep-red Texas, where Republican Sen. Ted Cruz faces reelection in 2024. Alex Morgan, the president of the Progressive Turnout Project, a political action committee that mobilizes Democratic voters during elections, says when his group first started preparing for next year, Texas' seat in the U.S. Senate was not on his radar. "It is a tough state," he says. "It is a big state that requires a lot of investment." But then Democratic Rep. Colin Allred — an attorney and former NFL linebacker — announced he was jumping into the race to oust Cruz.
Allred flipped a congressional district outside Dallas in 2018, a year that Democrats did particularly well in the midterms. He's kept the seat ever since. Morgan says Allred's announcement got him excited about the odds of Democrats flipping this seat. "You know because he's battle-tested, well-known and well-liked in the state," he said. "So, he really makes it now where Texas becomes probably our best pickup opportunity across the country next year." Democratic state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a key voice in the state pushing for tougher gun laws after the Uvalde school shooting, recently announced he's also running. For one, the last time Cruz was up for reelection he only won his race against former Rep. Beto O'Rourke by less than three percentage points. It remains one of the closest statewide races in Texas in recent history. But Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser says he thinks that race was a fluke more than it is a sign that a Senate seat from Texas is really within reach for Democrats. "Without Beto O'Rourke on the ballot, it's going to be harder for Democrats to take the seat," he predicted. "O'Rourke caught lightning in a bottle. He came out of nowhere. He raised $80 million plus. And he made a huge impact on the race and energized a lot of voters."… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[NATION]
China poses ‘alarming’ threat to US grid, lawmakers told (Bloomberg)
China represents an increasing threat to the US power grid, lawmakers were told Tuesday during a hearing in which they were warned a cyberattack from the nation could plunge military and other sensitive sites into darkness. “The Chinese activities are quite alarming,” said Manny Cancel, senior vice president of the North American Electric Reliability Corp., during testimony before a US House subcommittee.“Chinese cyber activities are one of the most dynamic cyber threats. China continues to demonstrate increasing sophistication, including new and adaptive techniques to gain access to networks.” The hearing, held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, comes as the nation’s power grid grows increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, while incidents such as physical attacks and vandalism increased some 77% in 2022, according to the committee.
China is “almost certainly capable” of launching cyberattacks that would disrupt critical infrastructure services within the US, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems, according to a report published earlier this year by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The hearing comes amid increasing tensions with China, including reports last week that Chinese hackers breached email accounts of US officials from the State Department, as well as US Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo. 96 Ari Natter Wed, July 19, 2023 at 2:23 AM CDT·2 min read (Bloomberg) -- China represents an increasing threat to the US power grid, lawmakers were told Tuesday during a hearing in which they were warned a cyberattack from the nation could plunge military and other sensitive sites into darkness. Most Read from Bloomberg Tesla Investor Rode a 14,800% Gain Thanks to 27-Year-Old Analyst Singapore Passport Is World’s Most Powerful, Replacing Japan Meet the Billionaire Who Convinced Messi to Pick MLS Over Saudi Arabia Rags-to-Riches Wealth Fund Veteran Plans to Run for Singapore President Morgan Stanley Moves 200 Tech Experts From China on Data Law “The Chinese activities are quite alarming,” said Manny Cancel, senior vice president of the North American Electric Reliability Corp., during testimony before a US House subcommittee.“Chinese cyber activities are one of the most dynamic cyber threats. China continues to demonstrate increasing sophistication, including new and adaptive techniques to gain access to networks.” The hearing, held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, comes as the nation’s power grid grows increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, while incidents such as physical attacks and vandalism increased some 77% in 2022, according to the committee. China is “almost certainly capable” of launching cyberattacks that would disrupt critical infrastructure services within the US, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems, according to a report published earlier this year by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Read More: Commerce Chief Raimondo’s Email Hacked in Breach Tied to China The hearing comes amid increasing tensions with China, including reports last week that Chinese hackers breached email accounts of US officials from the State Department, as well as US Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Imagine what is possible if the CCP attacks our grid,” said Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican who chairs the full committee. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning repeated Beijing’s line that it is a victim of hacking, and also accused the US of “large-scale and indiscriminate cyberattacks on many countries.” “We don’t think the US should hit out at China for political purposes,” she said Wednesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
Sen. Tommy Tuberville bets Alabama will back his military blockade (NBC NEWS)
Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s hold on hundreds of military promotions over the Defense Department’s abortion policy has gripped much of Washington in recent weeks. President Joe Biden has addressed it, as has his nominee for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Democrats have called him out, and members of his own party have said they wish the Alabama senator would let up. But back home, the issue isn’t making the same sort of waves — although he is getting support from some conservative voices in the state. NBC News spoke to dozens of Tuberville’s constituents, and most said they hadn’t heard about his hold on military promotions or his comments about white nationalism. “I had no idea about that,” said Brandon Watkins, a disabled veteran who joined the Air Force after 9/11.
Democrats, however, have made clear they want to change that and intend to tie the Republican Party to what Tuberville is doing. Approving military promotions has long been a bipartisan tradition in the Senate, but since February, Tuberville has been blocking every military personnel promotion that requires Senate confirmation, with more than 250 nominations now in limbo. Among some of the most notable roles without permanent replacements is the Marine Commandant, a position that is now vacant for the first time in over a century. Tuberville’s hold on military promotions is tied to his push for the Pentagon to drop its policy making accommodations — such as time off and reimbursement for travel expenses — if service members or their family need to go out of state for reproductive rights services. With uncertainty about promotions, military families may find themselves in limbo about where they're moving and their next steps — including schools for their children or jobs for spouses. Tuberville has said he’s facing "zero" pressure from his party to end his blockade, and the chair of the Alabama GOP has also said the senator is “reflecting the desire of the people of Alabama.”… (LINK TO FULL STORY)
[WORLD]
In Europe, Far Right is Gaining Influence. Spain Could Be Next. (Wall streeT journal)
For decades after the death of dictator Francisco Franco, Spain was viewed as largely immune to the appeal of the far right. That is no longer so. After years in opposition, the far-right Vox party has emerged as a likely kingmaker in Spain’s coming parliamentary elections.
Across Western Europe, stridently nationalist parties considered fringe just a few years ago are moving to the center stage, promising to banish crime, restore traditional values, increase welfare and disempower what they describe as out-of-touch elites.
The groups are gaining popularity over the failure of governments to address the economic woes of the working class and solve a slow-burn refugee crisis. In some countries, they are also benefiting from growing fatigue over Europe’s continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
“A right-wing populist backlash by the white working class was inevitable,” said Thomas Greven, a professor of political science at the Free University of Berlin who studies right-wing populism in Europe and America. “For me, it goes back to the failure of center-left, social-democratic parties to manage, in a socially acceptable way, increased global competition.”… (LINK TO FULL STORY)