News from February 2023
Garza on dropped DV charge against Beard: 'Our office has determined that the felony offense cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt'
By John Suayan | Feb 20, 2023
Former University of Texas (UT) Longhorns men’s basketball head coach Chris Beard is no longer facing charges on alleged domestic violence, according to a report from Austin ABC affiliate KVUE.
City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee will meet Feb. 28
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 20, 2023
City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28
Dallas Federal Reserve in recent report: Texas to have a 'soft landing' in 2023 but recession not likely
By Sam Jackson | Feb 19, 2023
The Dallas Federal Reserve recently released a report, expecting a "soft landing" in 2023, as the 88th State Legislature discusses how to manage a record-breaking $33 billion budget surplus.
Texas Gov. Abbott remains focused on educational choice: 'We'll ensure parents remain the most important voice in their children's education'
By Sam Jackson | Feb 17, 2023
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he's dedicated to getting an education choice bill passed this legislative session, noting that "parents are their children's first teachers," in a recent Twitter post.
Abbott in State of the State address: ‘Property taxes are suffocating Texans’
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 17, 2023
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is trying to deliver on his pledge to ease the tax burden for homeowners in Texas.
Abbott: 'DEI initiatives are having the opposite effect, proactively encourage discrimination in the workplace'
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 17, 2023
In a memo obtained by the Texas Tribune, Gov. Greg Abbott asked Texas state agencies to stop using DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives when hiring employees. Abbott's chief of staff, Gardner Pate, signed the letter expressing the belief that the workplace should be free from discrimination. He claimed some agencies are using discriminatory practices to hire under the guise of DEI.
City of Austin City Council met Dec. 1
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 17, 2023
City of Austin City Council met Thursday, Dec. 1
City of Austin City Council met Nov. 21
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 16, 2023
City of Austin City Council met Monday, Nov. 21
Austin councilwoman Fuentes on Cronk termination: 'Our city is rapidly growing, and with this comes the need to overcome many new and existing challenges'
By John Suayan | Feb 15, 2023
The Austin City Council approved the termination of City Manager Spencer Cronk on Wednesday, according to reports from Austin-based media outlets.
Texas governor: '[Parents] should be able to choose the education option that is best for their child'
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 15, 2023
The Texas State Board of Education withdrew its opposition to school vouchers and other programs allowing parents to use public funds to pay for private education, according to a Feb. 7 tweet from Texas Scorecard publisher Michael Quinn Sullivan.
City of Austin City Council met Nov. 15
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 15, 2023
City of Austin City Council met Tuesday, Nov. 15
Austin FC on retention of top scorer: 'Sebastián Driussi is here to stay'
By John Suayan | Feb 14, 2023
Austin FC reached a multi-year agreement on Tuesday with its top offensive weapon, Sebastián Driussi, according to a team-issued press release.
Public policy group calls Buckley selection as Texas House Public Education chairman 'an important first step'
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 14, 2023
The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) recently praised House Speaker Dade Phelan for his committee assignments and the selection of Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Killeen) as the new House Public Education Committee chairman.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet Feb. 23
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 14, 2023
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23
Watson: 'I’m going to honor process' on city manager Cronk's employment
By John Suayan | Feb 13, 2023
Whether Spencer Cronk retains his position as Austin city manager will be decided by the Austin City Council on Wednesday, per reports from Austin-based media outlets.
Senators skeptical of Texas PUC grid plan: 'We cannot miss on this'
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 13, 2023
The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held a hearing Tuesday on the Public Utility Commission's (PUC) plan to overhaul the Texas energy grid.
City of Austin City Council will meet Feb. 23
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Feb 13, 2023
City of Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23
Binance introduces system that will 'provide assurance to external parties of their balance sheet' strength
By Laurie A. Luebbert | Feb 10, 2023
In an effort to instill public confidence in crypto, Binance has rolled out a new Proof of Reserve (PoR) verification system, adding new tokens and advanced technology that further enhances privacy, security and reliability. Binance is the world’s largest crypto exchange.
Abbott: It's 'time to expand education savings accounts to every child in the state of Texas'
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 10, 2023
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed his support for school choice and an expansion of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) at a recent rally at Annapolis Christian Academy. The governor claims ESAs have worked in other states and supported ongoing efforts in the Texas legislature to allow an ESA program for everyone in Texas.
Texas legislative battle for property tax cuts ramps up
By Austin Journal Report | Feb 9, 2023
As the 88th Texas legislative session moves forward, lawmakers have presented differing ideas on how to utilize the record-breaking $33 billion surplus.