Austin Journal Reports News
Average Texas residents pay nearly $120,000 in lifetime interest fees, study finds
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 19, 2021
Average Texans will pay $119,349 in interest payments over their lifetimes, below the U.S. average of $130,462, according to a new analysis from Self.com, a company that helps consumers build credit and savings.
Most U.S residents 'disapprove' of vaccine shaming, poll finds
By Karla Florez | Aug 19, 2021
Though the majority of Texas residents support the COVID-19 vaccine, a recent study suggests many American supporters firmly oppose negative commentary about those who have chosen not to get vaccinated.
Absent Texas Democrats still collect per diem during special sessions at the cost of Texas taxpayers
By Alexus Barnhart | Aug 19, 2021
In July, 61 Texas House Democrats left Texas for Washington, D.C. to avoid voting on a reform bill. As they remain absent, representatives are still being paid their per diem.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors Will Meet Aug. 26
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Aug 19, 2021
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors Will Meet at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 26.
Honest Elections Project's Snead: U.S. House will 'weaponize progressive litigation machine' under guise of fighting voter discrimination
By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 18, 2021
House Democrats said they will vote next week on legislation that would require certain states to preclear changes to their voting laws with federal authorities.
Three Texas cities land spots in top five best for construction workers
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 18, 2021
One of the U.S. industries slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic is the construction business. Three Texas cities have been included in the five top where the demand for construction workers is highest.
'It shows the legislative process works': TPPF applauds work of Texas Senate on election legislation
By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 18, 2021
The Texas Senate’s approval of sweeping election legislation last week was a civics lesson for House Democrats who a month earlier fled the state to prevent the measures from making it to the governor, said Chad Ennis, senior fellow for the Election Protection Project at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Texas home sales spiked 82% over past decade, Texas Realtors reports
By Texas Realty News Reports | Aug 18, 2021
Texas home sales in 2020 numbered 393,618, representing an 82% increase over sales figures for 2011, according to new data compiled by Texas Realtors.
Austin office market rebounds to pre-COVID status
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 18, 2021
Austin has had 42 properties exchanged in 2021 — approximately almost 80% of the number of deals completed last year.
McCaul refers to crisis in Afghanistan as 'a stain' on Biden's presidency
By Cara Clark | Aug 18, 2021
Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, who leads Republicans on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, posted a scathing tweet on President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
'It's really good to know your history': Texas panel cites errors, dangers of critical race theory
By T.H. Lawrence | Aug 16, 2021
Critical race theory has doubters who think its view on race relations in the United States are both unfounded and dangerous.
Former UT Regent Wallace Hall to match Crime Stopper reward for arrest of missing state lawmakers
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 16, 2021
Former University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall intends to match the reward offered by the Texas Government Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest of State Representatives who are missing from the House Chamber.
Poll reveals Texas manufactured housing industry builds confidence for the rest of the year
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 15, 2021
A Texas manufactured housing survey reveals the industry’s positive outlook on the second half of the year.
Op-ed: ERCOT’s Roadmap to a California-style electricity market
By Bill Peacock | Aug 14, 2021
In the aftermath of February’s Great Texas Blackout, there has been much consternation and confusion.
Crime Stopper Organization offers $2,500 reward for whereabouts of missing Democratic lawmakers
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 13, 2021
The Texas-based office of Government Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of lawmakers who have fled the state House chamber.
Home schooling, already on rise in Texas, increased during COVID-19 pandemic due to 'concerns of health, safety and curriculum'
By T.H. Lawrence | Aug 13, 2021
Home-schooling has been on the rise in Texas since the final years of the 20th Century and received an additional boost with the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused families to reconsider their educational choices.
Texas secures top rank in state-by-state oil production study
By Austin Journal Reports | Aug 13, 2021
Texas produced 1.78 billion barrels of oil last year, a total that accounts for 43% of America’s domestic petroleum output, according to a new study by Visual Capitalist, an online publisher of data on global markets, technology and energy.
Austin implements policies to bring back families of color, reverse historical 'displacement caused by the city and other government entities'
By Andy Nghiem | Aug 13, 2021
The City of Austin is trying to bring black and brown families back to the East Austin area in an effort to slow gentrification in the region.
State ponders overhaul of the electric grid, hopes to 'reallocate payments to most reliable source of power'
By Art Benavidez | Aug 13, 2021
The February winter storm that exposed weaknesses in the state’s electrical grid, leaving much of the state’s residents to deal with subzero temperatures without electricity, could soon be overhauled.
'It's the right time': Westlake football coach to retire after 2021 season
By Trina Thomas | Aug 13, 2021
Westlake Head Football Coach Todd Dodge announced his retirement, stating that the 2021 football season will be his last at the Texas high school and that "It's the right time."