AUSTIN (KXAN)– In a “The Watson Cord” released Tuesday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson went through what impact Texas’ legislative session will have on the city.
“There will certainly continue to be some stress (as there always has actually been). We will certainly often disagree (on so many points). 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 advertise lifestyle (ugh),” Watson wrote.
Bills that would certainly have had significant effect on Austin included a bill to bring Austin under state control and one more that would certainly get rid of the city’s public transportation.
That costs to knock senseless public transportation? Authored by former Austin Common council Participant Ellen Troxclair.
“We have actually invested a significant quantity of time and sources over the previous two legislative sessions defending this voter-approved financial investment in public transportation primarily because a legislator that utilized to offer on the Austin City Board (but no longer lives in Austin) presses it,” Watson composed. “Two times currently, it’s stopped working.”
KXAN reached out to Rep. Troxclair’s workplace for her reaction to Watson.
A bill that passed in Austin’s support consisted of one to strengthen the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund. Watson also shared assistance for a number of real estate expenses that passed, calling the topic “an unusual area of bipartisan possibility” where Austin can lead.
“I’m actually honored that Austin and many of our neighborhood housing professionals have been helping to lead the statewide conversation regarding real estate supply and cost. A lot of the devices that were initial suggested and championed by the City of Austin to deal with housing cost have actually been expanded statewide,” he stated.
Watson additionally claimed that he and other regional leaders had efficient talks with legislators throughout the session.
“Overall, Austin had an excellent session. There are some things we’ll need to sort out and some points we aren’t crazy about. Yet, as a general guideline, hard work paid off,” he wrote.
Headers in the e-newsletter included “Live and Let Sine Die,” “Sine Pass Away with a Smile,” “Sine Die Alone,” and “Sine Die One More Day.”