Regulating Austin sound levels in bars
If passed, a bill from the Texas House would remove large Texas cities like Austin’s ability to regulate sound levels in bars. Austin City leaders say this bill is a problem for the live music capital of the world, as the city businesses and residents have long ago settled as a group how bars should behave.
“Going to the Legislature to get a lawmaker from halfway across the state to overturn our local rules doesn’t just silence councils’ voices. By extension, it also silences the voices of our constituents,” says Mayor Pro TEM Natasha Harper Madison.
City leaders say local laws cannot be dictated by one person, let alone one who doesn’t even live in Austin.
APD overspent budget on overtime
The Austin Police Department has spent more than it budgeted for overtime. That’s according to Assistant Police Chief Troy Gay, who told the Public Safety Commission and his quarterly report exactly how much.
“Currently, our overtime budget for the year was cut a little bit. This year we had over $3.5 million. We have currently spent on overtime, $4.9 million,” Gay says.
While the departments had its funding cut, demands for service have remained.
UT campus safety
It’s now been five years since UT freshman Haruka Weiser was killed on campus, and since then, numerous safety improvements have been made. But the group Safe Horn says a lot more could be done. Safe Horns President Joell McNew tells CBS Austin that includes around West campus
“Crime is impacting the quality of life of students as they navigate to and from campus, and it’s very concerning,” says McNew.
The university has spent $13 million on safety upgrades since Weiser’s death, and the Board of Regions last year approved $8 million on a four year safety plan, which includes a new UT Police Department District.
COVID-19 update
The number of active coronavirus cases has fallen below 1,000 again in Austin. In Travis County, 961 cases reported active. That includes 142 hospitalizations. Over the past 13 months, Austin Public Health says 79,635 people have tested positive and 77,865 have recovered.
Austin Public Health is slowly expanding the scope of its vaccinations. Mayor Steve Adler says the priority will continue to be the elderly, but as more vaccines are being allocated, it is becoming possible to increase the availability.
“Not only 1A, 1B, 1C, childcare providers and educators but also individuals over 40 now,” says Adler.
The city is still making all appointments for the week on Mondays. But if more appointments become available, a sign up window will open up again on Thursdays.
Williamson County’s vaccine hub is in need of some help. The Family Hospital system says it needs volunteers to help in non medical and medical positions. That includes people who have professional training in administering shots. The Family Hospital System says more than 100,000 doses have been given out so far At the Kelly Reeves complex.
Election reform legislation
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick continues his push for election reform legislation that one party believes will ensure integrity and the other is convinced will suppress the vote.
“There being 18 night and 13 days, the bills finally passed,” said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick after Senate Bill seven passed in the Texas Senate last week along party lines.
“Every vote should count, and every voter should know that their vote will be counted.”
“Every minority member of the Texas Senate believes that this bill will impact minorities negatively.”
Senator Bryan Hughes bill would limit voting locations and times, ban drive through voting and the mass mailing of ballot applications. The bills now headed to the Texas House. But before they get it, Lieutenant Governor Patrick will try to lobby for it.
I-35 traffic ranks 3rd worst
Most of us don’t need a study to tell us that traffic is awful on I-35. But a new report from the American Transportation Research Institute ranks I-35 through Austin as the 15th worst in the country for congestion, third worst in Texas. The studies, based largely on the roads, average speed during normal times compared to rush hour.
This news and more on News Radio KLBJ:
https://omny.fm/shows/klbjam-flash-briefing-1/am-newscast-4-6-21
