Austin News Roundup: Campaign Finance Lawsuit, Declining Rent Prices, and Legislative Priorities

Austin News Roundup: Lawsuits, Rent Changes, and More

Campaign Finance Lawsuit

Austin mayoral candidate Doug Greco is taking a stand against the city’s campaign finance rules. He has filed a lawsuit challenging a regulation that limits how much money a candidate can raise from outside the city to $47,000. This lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday, argues that these existing rules violate First Amendment rights by effectively silencing voices and contributions from individuals and organizations outside of Austin. KUT has reported on the developments of this case, which could have implications on how political campaigns are funded in the city.

Rent Trends in Austin

While many parts of the country are experiencing a rise in rent prices, Austin seems to be going in the opposite direction. Despite a 25% increase in average monthly rent during 2021, recent trends show that Austin leads the nation in declining rents. The slowdown in new arrivals to the city, combined with a surge of new apartments entering the market, has allowed rents to fall. Reports indicate that rental prices in Austin are decreasing, a stark contrast to the national trend.

APD Announces New Reporting on Clearance Rates

The Austin Police Department (APD) has announced that it will start publishing yearly reports on crime clearance rates. In response to questions raised about the number of cases solved by the department, APD plans to increase transparency by sharing these statistics. KUT examined the data submitted by APD to the Texas Department of Public Safety and discovered that Austin’s clearance rates for various crimes have been fairly average compared to other cities. Interestingly, the clearance rate for murders is reported to be above the national average.

Legislative Goals from Dan Patrick

On Tuesday, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick outlined his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. His proposed legislation includes making it illegal for protesters to cover their faces during demonstrations. Patrick also emphasized the need to focus on school vouchers and property tax relief. Additionally, he is pushing for a renewed effort against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education, signaling an aggressive agenda for the session ahead.

House Speaker Race Heating Up

The race to replace House Speaker Dade Phelan is gaining momentum as James Frank from Wichita Falls becomes the fourth Republican to announce his candidacy. He joins other candidates who are eager to take on the role, including Tom Oliverson, Shelby Slawson, and David Cook. Frank is known for his strong support of school vouchers, a contentious issue that has drawn criticism towards Phelan for allowing similar proposals to fail in the last legislative session.

Trump Train Trial Begins

A trial is currently underway in Austin concerning a 2020 incident involving a convoy of trucks displaying Trump flags that surrounded a Biden-Harris campaign bus. An Austin jury watched a video taken by Wendy Davis showing the trucks blocking the bus and shouting obscenities. Davis and two others on the bus are suing six of the convoy participants for what they describe as intimidation and illegal threats.

Cheneys Support Kamala Harris

In a surprising political twist, former Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly urged voters to support Kamala Harris. Cheney, who has been a controversial figure himself, stated that “there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.” His endorsement comes soon after his daughter, Liz Cheney, revealed she would also vote for Harris, showing a significant shift among prominent Republicans.

Legal Actions Against Voting Initiatives

Attorney General Ken Paxton has intensified his legal opposition to voting initiatives in Texas. Last week, he filed a lawsuit against Travis County in an effort to block a campaign aimed at encouraging non-registered individuals to register to vote. This is part of a larger push that included a similar lawsuit against Bexar County and actions targeting a senior citizen volunteer involved in get-out-the-vote efforts. U.S. Representative Greg Casar commented on the situation, indicating that Paxton is actively working against voter expansion in the state.

Increased Patrols in Dripping Springs

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is ramping up patrols in the area between Nutty Brown Road and Sawyer Branch Road along Highway 290, southwest of Austin. The increase in patrols comes in response to a significant rise in crashes on that stretch of road this year. Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Hipolito, who is currently campaigning for sheriff, stated that the increased monitoring will continue until September 19, after which the data will be analyzed to determine further action.

Funding for Homelessness Services

Austin city leaders are moving closer to finalizing a new hotel tax aimed at funding homelessness services. This long-planned initiative could receive final approval from the City Council in the coming weeks. Tom Noonan, CEO of Visit Austin, mentioned that a number of hotels have agreed to participate in the deal, which aims to address the growing need for services to support Austin’s homeless population.