News from April 2023
WSJ Editorial Board: DEI offices at universities 'exercise a broad writ on campus and act as speech police'
By Austin Journal Report | Apr 7, 2023
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Editorial Board recently published a piece on the "Tyranny of the DEI Bureaucracy" arguing many universities have adopted policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), hiring DEI officers that ultimately stifle free speech on campus. The article pointed to a recent incident at Stanford Law School where the associate dean suggested free speech might not be worth the pain caused. Texas lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban DEI offices at Texas public universities.
City of Austin City Council will meet April 13
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 6, 2023
City of Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 13
Texas lawmaker proposes bill to prevent another FTX-like failure
By Juliette Fairley | Apr 5, 2023
As chair of the Texas Innovation and Technology Caucus, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Tarrant County) wants to prevent another FTX-like failure while allowing technology and technologists to be innovative without over regulation.
Phoenix Ville de Marie Academy board member: Arizona school choice program has 'proven to be extremely helpful' as Texas considers its own
By Sam Jackson | Apr 5, 2023
Luke Speier, board member and treasurer of Ville de Marie Academy in Phoenix, said school choice programs and education spending accounts (ESAs) have been beneficial for both parents and students, as Texas considers a similar program this legislative term.
Patrick, Schwertner back legislation to ensure 'Texans have the reliability, transparency and security on our power grid that they deserve'
By Andy Nghiem | Apr 5, 2023
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Charles Schwertner are prioritizing new legislation aimed at ensuring a reliable energy grid across Texas and attracting new sources of reliable thermal electricity generation.
Peacock: 'The only thing [the Senate plan] is going to ensure for sure is higher electricity prices and more profits for generators'
By Austin Journal Report | Apr 5, 2023
Bill Peacock, the policy director of the Energy Alliance, joined a recent episode of the "Pratt on Texas" podcast to discuss the current state of the Texas energy grid. Peacock covered the history of Texas' market-based grid system and how its erosion via regulation and subsidies has resulted in higher prices for consumers and a lower level of reliability. Peacock called for lawmakers to put a stop to subsidies and return to a pure market system in order to fix the issues facing the grid today.
UT floor general on decision to test NBA waters: 'I want to thank all the people who have helped me get to this point'
By John Suayan | Apr 4, 2023
Tyrese Hunter, the floor general for the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns men’s basketball team, announced on Friday that he’s entering the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported.
Policy analyst: 'Nothing less than $20 billion' for historic property tax cut
By David Beasley | Apr 4, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott has made it clear he wants to sign into law the “largest property tax cut in Texas history,” but exactly how much that is remains an open question.
Central Texas school district head on retirement announcement: 'The last nine years as the superintendent of Georgetown have been the highlight of my career'
By John Suayan | Apr 4, 2023
The leader of a Central Texas public school district said on Monday that he’s retiring in June, according to reports from Austin-based media outlets.
City of Austin Public Health Committee will meet April 12
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 4, 2023
City of Austin Public Health Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 12
Watson on retirement of Austin Energy head Sargent: 'I appreciate her service to this community and her role in the public utility industry'
By John Suayan | Apr 3, 2023
Austin Energy head Jackie Sargent has retired, Austin-based media outlets reported.
TPPF policy director on property tax relief: 'Target should be at least $20 billion'
By Austin Journal Report | Apr 3, 2023
Earlier this year, Governor Greg Abbott announced his push for the largest property tax cut in Texas history and just last week, the Texas Senate took a step in that direction by unanimously passing all three property tax relief proposals prioritized by the state's Lieutenant Governor. However, given the pressure of inflation, Texas policy advocates, such as James Quintero of TPPF, say there is more that can be done to ease the heavy tax burden for Texans.
City of Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee will meet April 11
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 3, 2023
City of Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 11
AISD on state conservatorship: 'We welcome collaboration with TEA to help us catch up on long-overdue evaluations'
By John Suayan | Apr 3, 2023
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) said on Friday that it plans to install conservators for the Austin Independent School District (AISD), according to a report from The Texas Tribune.
City of Austin Mobility Committee met March 2
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 1, 2023
City of Austin Mobility Committee met Thursday, March 2