BG Note | News - What We're Reading (August 8, 2017)
Steve Adler blasts Dan Patrick over ‘cities’ comment (Austin American-Statesman) LINK TO STORY
“If it’s wrong to have lower jobless and crime rates than Texas as a whole, I don’t want to be right,” Adler posted, touting Austin’s metrics. “Certainly not that far right.”
Straus and Patrick meet as special session dwindles (Texas Tribune) LINK TO STORY
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus had their first meeting in months on Monday.
"The Speaker and I had a substantive meeting today where we discussed a lot of issues. We are still talking," Patrick said in an emailed statement.
The two Republican leaders — who have traded barbs over issues like the “bathroom bill” and school finance since the 30-day special legislative session began — have a history of frosty relations.
Annexation bill hits obstacle in Texas House (San Antonio Express-News) LINK TO STORY
A contentious bill giving homeowners more power to resist annexation failed to progress in the House after a procedural hang-up Monday. But lawmakers said they expect a revised version to be back up for consideration by week’s end.
“There was a defect in the Senate bill as it came over, but we still have time to get it back,” said Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio. “The challenge is more difficult — we were under the assumption this bill would have come out today — I still believe we have an opportunity.”
Cornyn's new push against sanctuary cities could put him at odds with some Texas mayors (Dallas Morning News) LINK TO STORY
WASHINGTON — Texas Sen. John Cornyn could be on a collision course with some home-state mayors over a push to combat so-called sanctuary cities.
A bill announced last week by the Republican would go after cities that do "not cooperate with federal law enforcement authorities" on immigration matters by withholding federal dollars from violators for certain programs that "that are important to mayors and local communities," he said.
That's a nonstarter for many Texas mayors, who are already fighting anti-sanctuary policies on several fronts.
Austin’s new Central Library to open Oct. 28 (Austin American-Statesman) LINK TO STORY
Austin’s new Central Library will have a grand opening Oct. 28, the city said in a news release Monday.
The long-delayed, $125 million library has been under construction for more than four years at 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. At 200,000 square feet, it’s double the size of Faulk Central Library, which it will replace, and it will include hip features like a cooking demonstration space, a technology “petting zoo” where people can play with new devices, solar panels, rainwater collection, an event center and a restaurant. It was first set to open in November 2016, then May 2017.
Today's Meetings
Austin City Council Work Session @9AM Austin City Hall 301 W. Second Street
Travis County Commissioners Court @9AM Travis County Administration Courtroom, 700 Lavaca Street
