Two proposed bills in the Texas state legislature call for more voter oversight of the mass transit project, which could imperil the transit expansion approved by voters in 2020.
Despite approving a tax to fund Project Connect in 2020, Austin voters may once again have to vote on the light rail project, reports Kelsey Thompson for KXAN. If two proposed bills pass the state legislature, each component of the project would come before voters before it could move forward.
The new laws would require voters to approve the purpose, amount, and tax rate required to pay back debt associated with each project component. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson called the bills, collectively, “a terrible precedent for the Legislature to muck with a voter-approved infrastructure investment.”
According to Watson, voters would also have to approve the issuance of revenue bonds. “Those bonds would be funded by the property tax revenue streams voters approved for Project Connect back in November 2020 — meaning tax bills wouldn’t go up or down as a result of this upcoming election.”
For Watson, the bills are simply an attempt to kill light rail in Central Texas. Last month, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) issued a dramatically reduced revision to its plan for the project to cut costs.
FULL STORY: Austin could re-vote on Project Connect this fall — here’s why
Austin’s Project Connect Gains Key Budget Approval
The light rail project can move forward with the engineering and design phase, with a groundbreaking expected in 2027.
Texas Attorney General Calls Project Connect Funding Scheme Illegal
The massive transit project’s unique funding scheme could run afoul of state law.
Austin’s Project Connect Transit Plan Drastically Reduced
The details of drastic reductions to the proposed building program for Austin’s Project Connect long-range transit plan are now open for public comment.
How the Trump Presidency Could Impact Urban Planning
An analysis of potential changes in federal housing, transportation, and climate policies.
NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide
The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.
Research Affirms Safety of ‘Idaho Stop’
Allowing cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs does not negatively impact safety and can help people on bikes more effectively navigate roadways.
UCLA Experts Offer Critical Support for LA Wildfire Response and Recovery
The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation offers expert guidance on LA wildfire response and recovery, addressing critical issues like water safety, air quality, equitable rebuilding, and climate adaptation to promote resilience and sustainability.
Salt Lake City to Get Five New Bus Lines
The service improvements come after a year of strong ridership growth.
Fort Worth Relaunches Bike Share Network
The system, operated by Lyft, is made up of primarily e-bikes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Placer County
Skagit Transit
Berkeley County
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland