Special Session Nearing an End
Lawmakers have to be out by Wednesday, the last day reserved for the Texas Legislators Special Session. Some bill, like the much debated TSA Pat Down bill, have seen new life in the finals days of the session. That bill was approved by the Senate last night. Other bills still appear stuck in a holding pattern. The Texas Tribune has a full rundown of where things stand in the eleventh hour.
Cap Metro Bus Routes to be Outsourced
The Capital Metro Board of Directors voted Monday to hire a private company to run all bus routes for the Agency. The vote leaves the fate of 810 union workers up in the air, as the board could decide to to reduce salary and benefits to in order to save money. The board's decision could imperil federal grants sought by Cap Metro and leave the Agency open to an official complaint by union officials reportsthe Austin American Statesman.
About 150 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091, joined by some San Antonio transit workers, rallied outside Capital Metro headquarters in East Austin before Monday's meeting. During an almost hour-long, closed-door meeting on the subject, union members more than once broke into the labor anthem, "Solidarity Forever."
Austin City Council Members to Start New Term
Austin City Council Members Laura Morrison and Chris Riley will be sworn in for second terms at an inauguration ceremony at City hall tonight at six. New Council Member Kathie Tovo will begin her first term on Council. Tovo defeated incumbent Randi Shade in a Runoff Election June 18th. The council members begin their terms just a day ahead of a vote on whether to approve a deal to bring a Formula One race track to South East Travic County.
