News from November 2023
City of Austin City Council met Oct. 17
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 21, 2023
City of Austin City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 17
Trump, Abbott serve Thanksgiving dinner to Operation Lone Star service members
By Austin Journal | Nov 20, 2023
Former President Donald J. Trump joined Gov. Greg Abbott in Edinburg, near the southern border with Mexico, to serve Thanksgiving dinner to those serving in Operation Lone Star (OLS). Trump and Abbott, both Republicans, fed more than 240 Texas National Guard soldiers, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers, and other service members sent to the border, according to the Office of the Texas Governor. This event took place on Thanksgiving day as a gesture of gratitude towards the servicemen and women.
Cruz praises passage of temporary spending bill
By Austin Journal | Nov 20, 2023
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) commended legislation that would fund the federal government through the start of next year. The junior senator hailed new House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) decision to push the deadline pertaining to a government shutdown past the holidays. This move aims to provide ample time for lawmakers to negotiate a long-term financial package.
Abbott hails latest Texas employment data as testament to state's economic strength
By Austin Journal | Nov 20, 2023
The Office of the Texas Governor announced that October employment data reveals the continued leadership of the Lone Star State in annual jobs growth nationwide. The state also set new records with the largest civilian labor force ever at 15,162,100 and more Texans being either employed or self-employed than ever before, reaching a count of 14,536,800.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Sept. 21
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 20, 2023
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Thursday, Sept. 21
Allegiant Air to launch new service between Austin, Eugene, OR next year
By Austin Journal | Nov 16, 2023
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and low-cost carrier Allegiant Air announced new non-stop flights between the Texas state capital and Eugene, Oregon. Allegiant will begin the service from the South Terminal on May 31, 2024, operating seasonally through Aug. on twice-weekly service.
UFCU appoints Joe Gonzalez as Associate VP of Everyday Banking
By Austin Journal | Nov 15, 2023
University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) announced the promotion of Joe Gonzalez to lead the Everyday Banking and Payments business unit, effective immediately. Starting as a mortgage coordinator at UFCU in 2005, Gonzalez has taken on increasingly senior positions over the last 18 years.
Interim Austin police chief Henderson on late officer Pastore: 'Please help me and our APD family pay tribute to SPO Jorge Pastore for his brave & heroic actions'
By Austin Journal | Nov 15, 2023
Funeral plans for the late Austin police officer Jorge Pastore have been released, with Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services handling the arrangements. The 38-year-old Pastore was fatally shot while responding to a purported hostage situation in a south Austin neighborhood.
Texas comptroller issues the State of Texas Annual Cash Report
By Austin Journal Report | Nov 15, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has issued the State of Texas Annual Cash Report for fiscal 2023, offering a cash-basis representation of the state's financial condition. This comprehensive report covers all funds within the State Treasury, providing details such as the date of origin, administering agency, authorizing statute, revenues and expenditures at the object code and category levels, according to the report by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Austin City Council approves purchase of former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter
By Austin Journal | Nov 14, 2023
Austin City Council voted to approve the purchase of the former Salvation Army Downtown Shelter at 501 E. 8th St.at its Nov. 9 meeting. The city hopes the purchase will help fill the need for shelter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Aug. 16
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 11, 2023
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Wednesday, Aug. 16
City of Austin Mobility Committee will meet Nov. 16
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 11, 2023
City of Austin Mobility Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16
Texas Comptroller updates list of financial companies boycotting energy firms
By Austin Journal | Nov 11, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced the inclusion of five firms to the list of companies boycotting the oil and gas industry. The Comptroller’s office conducted a review of investment funds, identifying approximately 350 funds subject to divestment under the same provisions as the companies, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
October state sales tax revenue reaches $3.8 billion
By Austin Journal | Nov 11, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced that state sales tax revenue reached $3.81 billion in Oct., experiencing a 0.3 percent decrease compared to Oct. 2022. The cumulative sales tax revenue for the three months concluding in Oct. 2023 increased by 2.7 percent when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
October state sales tax revenue reaches $3.8 billion
By Austin Journal | Nov 11, 2023
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced that state sales tax revenue reached $3.81 billion in Oct., experiencing a 0.3 percent decrease compared to Oct. 2022. The cumulative sales tax revenue for the three months concluding in Oct. 2023 increased by 2.7 percent when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee will meet Nov. 14
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 10, 2023
City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14
Favor promotes Chief Taco Officer: ‘I cannot wait to begin my new position as Favor’s Chief Tasting Officer’
By Austin Journal | Nov 9, 2023
One year after being hired as Favor Delivery’s Chief Taco Officer, Chris Flores has been promoted to Chief Tasting Officer and the company is looking to build a team of Order-In Experts. According to Flores, this new position will allow him to highlight food culture in Texas.
City of Austin City Council met Oct. 5
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 9, 2023
City of Austin City Council met Thursday, Oct. 5
Abbott announces fourth special session to cover school choice, border security
By Austin Journal | Nov 8, 2023
The fourth special session of the Texas Legislature is underway after Gov. Greg Abbott announced it into session on Nov. 5. According to a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor, the agenda for the latest special session will focus on education and border security.
City of Austin Mobility Committee met Sept. 27
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Nov 8, 2023
City of Austin Mobility Committee met Wednesday, Sept. 27