BG Reads | News You Need to Know (December 19, 2018)
[BG PODCAST]
BG Podcast - Episode 27: Community Conversation with Pastor Joseph C. Parker, Jr.
Today's BG Podcast features a conversation with Joseph C. Parker, Jr., Esq., D. Min., the Senior Pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in East Austin.
A respected community leader, he has been described as “called by God, shaped by experience, a man of action, and a Renaissance man.”
A respected voice and bridge builder on many key Austin issues, including civil rights and gentrification, Pastor Parker has been described as “called by God, shaped by experience, a man of action, and a Renaissance man.”….
[AUSTIN METRO]
Williamson County Commissioners Unanimously Approve Tax Incentives For Apple (KUT)
Williamson County Commissioners on Tuesday approved an incentive package for Apple to develop 133 acres of ranch land into an office complex.
Apple announced plans last week to invest $1 billion to build a third complex in the Austin area; this would be the first in Williamson County.
Five commissioners voted unanimously to approve the deal. Apple could get 65 percent of the property taxes it pays returned over 15 years provided it meets certain requirements regarding job creation and other criteria.
Residents packed the commissioners court in Georgetown ahead of the vote. Commissioners tried to allay concerns about a corporate "handout."
"There are things that they've got to meet," County Judge Dan Gattis said. "They have to pay their taxes, then we rebate back based on the fact that they're meeting those milestones as they go along. If they don't meet them, then they don't get [the tax money] back."…
New renderings emerge of Travis County courthouse, plus details of a potential tower next door (Austin Business Journal)
Travis County's new courthouse could come with an outdoor plaza, ample open space, public art — and possibly an additional office high-rise down the line.
Developers of the Travis County Civil and Family Court Facility discussed how they plan to build the new courthouse at 1700 Guadalupe St. during a Monday night Austin Design Commission meeting.
Travis County's new courthouse could come with an outdoor plaza, ample open space, public art — and possibly an additional office high-rise down the line.
Developers of the Travis County Civil and Family Court Facility discussed how they plan to build the new courthouse at 1700 Guadalupe St. during a Monday night Austin Design Commission meeting…
County weighs its jail diversion strategies (Austin Monitor)
A lot has happened since the Commissioners Court last saw the Travis County Justice Planning Department’s asset map of strategies for jail diversion on July 31. Fortunately, in terms of keeping people out of jail and connected to their communities, most of it is good news.
Justice Planning updated the court on these strategies Tuesday morning with charts and data showing a significant trend of people spending less time in jail throughout Travis County. With the development of diversion programs and the planned adoption of other programs, Justice Planning is confident that trend will continue for years to come.
The county is approaching criminal justice from several new angles, including the recent decision to create a Travis County public defender office to improve indigent defense and the ongoing discussion of a merger between the County Attorney and District Attorney offices that would de-emphasize misdemeanors and streamline criminal defense. The court also discussed the possible construction of a new women’s facility in Del Valle last week that would better serve the needs of female prisoners. In addition to these efforts, the county is invested in diverting individuals with specific needs away from jail and toward appropriate resources and facilities…
Here’s the list of Austin ISD schools that will be frozen to transfers in 2019-20
(Community Impact)
Twenty-eight Austin ISD schools will not accept student transfers for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. Superintendent Paul Cruz announced the schools—which include five high schools, four middle schools and 19 elementary schools—during a report to the board of trustees Dec. 17.
AISD families with students interested in transferring to an eligible AISD school can submit transfer forms from Jan. 2-31, according to a Dec. 17 news release from the district. Students who do not live within AISD boundaries can submit transfer forms beginning Feb. 1. Additional information can be found on the district’s website…
[TEXAS]
Mike Collier lost, but outdid Beto O'Rourke in most Texas counties (Texas Tribune)
Mike Collier, the Democrat who ran for and lost the race for lieutenant governor last month, wasn’t the star of his party’s ticket. But by some measures, Collier did better in this year’s general election than Beto O’Rourke.
In 171 of the state’s 254 counties — counties O’Rourke famously visited during the campaign — Collier got more votes than the Democrat at the top of the ticket.
In terms of wins and losses, it wasn’t enough of a difference to make a difference: Texas Republicans won all of the statewide races. With this year’s victories, they’ve now done that a dozen times in a row, starting in 1996…
State Sen. Charles Schwertner Cleared By UT In Sexual Harassment Case (KUT)
An investigation by the University of Texas into allegations that Georgetown state Sen. Charles Schwertner sent inappropriate texts to a grad student has found the senator did not violate university policy or Title IX.
The student alleged the Republican senator, who won re-election in November, initially engaged with her over LinkedIn after meeting at an event on UT campus. Schwertner, the accuser said, then solicited sex over text and sent an unwanted sexual image, what the sender called "proof of life."…
[NATION]
Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bill Closer To Becoming Law After Senate Approval (KUT)
A bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling federal prisons and reducing recidivism crossed a major hurdle on Tuesday when it was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate.
With the Senate's approval and the backing of President Trump, the legislation is now on the verge of becoming law.
The House, which passed a more modest version of the legislation earlier this year, is expected to take up the bill in the coming days.
Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has already voiced support for the legislative package, pledging that the House is "ready to get it done."…
Justice Department Bans Bump Stocks, Devices Used In Deadly Las Vegas Shooting (KUT)
The Trump administration is banning bump stocks, the firearm attachment that allows a semiautomatic weapon to shoot almost as fast as a machine gun.
The devices, also known as slide fires, came under intense scrutiny after they were used by the gunman who opened fire on a country music concert in Las Vegas last year, killing 58 people.
The massacre touched off a public outcry, including from some lawmakers, for the accessories to be banned.
Under a new federal rule announced Tuesday by the Justice Department, bump stocks will be redefined as "machine guns" and therefore outlawed under existing law.
The new regulations, which were signed by acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, will take effect 90 days after being published in the Federal Register. A Justice Department official said that would likely happen Friday…