Cities & Counties News
The Other Ones Foundation: ‘Investing in a holistic approach to homelessness’ is key
Max Moscoe, Public Information Officer for The Other Ones Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit focused on aiding the transition of individuals out of homelessness, outlined his organization's comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis.
Corsicana receives recognition as Tourism Friendly community by Travel Texas
Governor Greg Abbott has extended his congratulations to the City of Corsicana for being recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community.
Latest News
More than 100 taxing entities in Texas increased property taxes by more than 3.5% in 2024
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 10, 2025
Data compiled by the Texas Comptroller indicates that in 2024, at least 179 taxing entities in Texas increased property taxes by more than 3.5%.
Giddings earns Tourism Friendly Texas certification from Travel Texas
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 9, 2025
Governor Greg Abbott has extended his congratulations to the City of Giddings for being recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community by Travel Texas.
Cleat criticizes DA Garza's prosecution of officer Christopher Taylor
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 6, 2024
CLEAT, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, has issued a statement regarding Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor.
The Other Ones Foundation ED: Right now ‘our restricted funding comes from contracts or government agencies’
By Lone Star Standard | Oct 14, 2024
Chris Baker, executive director at The Other Ones Foundation, said their program relies on various funding sources, but as they enter the next fiscal year, the city of Austin has withdrawn funding, leaving them to rely on contracts and government agencies while nearing the end of American Rescue Plan support. Baker was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
The Other Ones Foundation ED: The Housing First philosophy is ‘not how it shakes out 'in practice'
By Lone Star Standard | Oct 10, 2024
Chris Baker, executive director at The Other Ones Foundation, said the Housing First philosophy is sound in theory, aiming to remove barriers to resolving housing crises, but it has shifted from a flexible approach to a one-size-fits-all solution that doesn’t align with actual practice. Baker was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
New lawsuit filed against Austin City Council, testing Texas’ taxpayer protection statute
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 28, 2024
On Monday, August 26th, attorneys representing seven Austin taxpayers filed a class action lawsuit against the Austin City Council.
Texas model for addressing homelessness in Austin in peril for lack of local funding
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 7, 2024
Following the repeal of the homeless camping ban in Austin in 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated a piece of state land in East Austin as a sanctioned homeless encampment.
Austin restaurant attorney: The Debt Service Tax is ‘the constitutional way to incur debt’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 8, 2024
Bill Aleshire, the attorney representing Dirty Martin's and the other plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Austin's light-rail project, said the Debt Service tax is the constitutionally dedicated way to retire debt. The city's deviation from Texas norms by funding the project through a transfer of general fund revenues raises legal and constitutional concerns as well as significant questions about whether the debt payments could be stopped at any point. Aleshire was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Austin restaurant owner: ‘It doesn't make any sense' to close streets to vehicular traffic for Light Rail operations
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 5, 2024
Mark Nemir, the owner of Dirty Martin's in Austin, said implementing Light Rail systems across intersections poses traffic disruption concerns, especially if Guadalupe Street closes to vehicles, emphasizing the practical challenges and population density around the University of Texas. Aleshire was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Austin restaurant attorney: ‘You wouldn't need to bulldoze Dirty Martin's or other places’ if a bus system used dedicated street lanes
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 4, 2024
Bill Aleshire, the attorney representing the owner of Dirty Martin's, said that the Via system could fulfill promised routes at a fraction of the cost, eliminating the need for property demolition, while expressing concern over the exclusion of the rail line to the airport and its impact on East Austin. Aleshire was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Austin Light Rail: The Human and Constitutional Cost; a Conversation with Mark Nemir and Bill Aleshire
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 1, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH MARK NEMIR, OWNER OF DIRTY MARTIN’S AND AUSTIN ATTORNEY, BILL ALESHIRE.
Texas Attorney General Office comes out in opposition to Austin's light-rail funding request, says funding agreement was 'void at the time' and an 'unconstitutional debt'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 18, 2024
On Monday, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) will appear in the Travis County District Court to ask a judge to validate $150 million of a total $5 billion dollar bond package for Austin’s light rail project called Project Connect.
OPINION: Austin rail project rewriting Texas norms, state leaders should weigh in before it goes too far
By Lone Star Standard Editorial Board | Feb 16, 2024
During the 88th regular session, a legislative fight about how the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) is financing a $7 billion + light rail project in Austin concluded with a sustained point-of-order brought by Representative John Bucy in the final days of the session.
