Review finds gaps in Long Center contract oversight as Austin faces decades-long audit warnings on spending controls.
Government
Local government decisions shape daily life in Austin—from policing and transit to housing, parks, and public health. We translate, scrutinize, and illuminate these decisions, ensuring residents understand how power works and who it serves. Questions, tips or ideas? community@austincurrent.org
Posted inGovernment
City softens IT overhaul after concerns over public safety, cyber risks
After weeks of fierce pushback from the city’s labor union, Austin revises its IT consolidation plan, removing some roles after workers warn of risks to public safety and services.
Posted inGovernment
Imminent IT consolidation could weaken public safety response, raise cybersecurity risks
The city is moving forward with the first phase of its IT consolidation, a move a labor union warns could damage city services.
Posted inGovernment
Audit scrutiny forces Austin to rethink Long Center arts grants deal
City weighs overhaul of arts grant system after audit flags concerns in Long Center contract.
Posted inGovernment
Austin adopts new homeless strategy plan, but leaders aren’t sure of the cost
Austin city leaders have approved a new strategic plan to address some of the issues people experiencing homelessness face. David Gray, the city’s homeless strategy officer, said it will act as a road map for addressing homelessness over the next two years. The plan was crafted with more than two dozen community partners and includes […]
Posted inGovernment
Austin Energy quadruples shutoffs for nonpayment as the city gets hotter
As Austin keeps getting hotter, Austin Energy shutoffs for nonpayment have increased by more than four-fold over the last four years. Data from the publicly owned utility shows shutoffs skyrocketed from 7,777 in 2022 to more than 35,000 last year. But the increase in shutoffs comes as the utility has made big strides helping struggling […]
Posted inEducation
City move could complicate Austin ISD land sales
Austin ISD could sell campuses to cut a growing deficit, but a city proposal could reshape deals and put parkland at stake.
Posted inGovernment
Austin’s short-term rental rules tighten after years of enforcement issues
By July, the city will require all short-term rental listings on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to be licensed or removed.
Posted inGovernment
Austin leaders want to rename Cesar Chavez Street in wake of abuse allegations
The city of Austin is considering renaming Cesar Chavez Street after allegations emerged that the late civil rights leader sexually assaulted women and girls. Chavez died in 1993. Shortly after his death, Austin renamed First Street — which stretches from MoPac Expressway through downtown to U.S. 183 — in his honor. Local nonprofit El Concillo Mexican-American […]
Posted inGovernment
Lines at Austin’s airport not caused by government shutdown, Republican and Democratic lawmakers say
Early morning lines for TSA screening have again been spilling out the front door and onto the sidewalk at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in recent days. And both major political parties are seizing on the lines as evidence of why the other side should compromise to end a partial government shutdown that began on Valentine’s Day. […]