5 days ago
Austin Mayor says city had a good legislative session
AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a 'The Watson Wire' issued Tuesday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson walked through what impact Texas' legislative session will have on the city.
Recapping Texas' 89th Legislative Session
'There will continue to be some tension (as there always has been). We will often disagree (on so many things). And those in control of the Capitol will continue to make it harder and harder for all cities (not just Austin) to do what you, the residents, need us to do to be successful and to promote quality of life (ugh),' Watson wrote.
Bills that would have had significant impact on Austin included a bill to bring Austin under state control and another that would eliminate the city's light rail.
'District of Austin' bill voted down by Texas House committee
That bill to knock out light rail? Authored by former Austin City Council Member Ellen Troxclair.
'We've spent a considerable amount of time and resources over the past two legislative sessions defending this voter-approved investment in light rail primarily because a legislator who used to serve on the Austin City Council (but no longer lives in Austin) pushes it,' Watson wrote. 'Twice now, it's failed.'
KXAN reached out to Rep. Troxclair's office for her response to Watson.
A bill that passed in Austin's favor included one to strengthen the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund. Watson also expressed support for several housing bills that passed, calling the topic 'a rare area of bipartisan opportunity' where Austin can lead.
'I'm really proud that Austin and many of our local housing experts have been helping to lead the statewide conversation about housing supply and affordability. Many of the tools that were first proposed and championed by the City of Austin to address housing affordability have been expanded statewide,' he said.
Watson also said that he and other local leaders had productive talks with lawmakers during the session.
'Overall, Austin had a good session. There are some things we'll need to sort out and some things we aren't crazy about. But, as a general rule, hard work paid off,' he wrote.
Headers in the newsletter included 'Live and Let Sine Die,' 'Sine Die with a Smile,' 'Sine Die Alone,' and 'Sine Die Another Day.'
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