2019 Texas Inauguration.
Yesterday, Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick took the oath of office for their second terms. In their speeches, property tax and public education funding were highlighted. Oh, and Chuck Norris’ attendance too. To read more…
New Chief Medical Officer for HHSC.
Dr. Ryan Van Ramshorst, a San Antonio pediatrician, has been appointed chief medical officer for the Medicaid and CHIP programs at the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). He will begin his new role at HHSC at the end of February. To read more…
House and Senate Budgets are out.
Dueling budget proposals from both chambers have been published, focusing on public school funding and property tax reform. Neither chamber fully funded Medicaid leaving projected cost growth unfunded. These budget proposals are just a starting point for what the final details of the biennial budget will look like. To read more…
Only in Austin…
After 31 years, Eastside Café will close at the end of January. Chef Sam Hellman-Mass, owner of Suerte, has bought the property and will continue to use the location as a restaurant commited to local sourcing. We will keep you posted on what pops up at this treasured Austin spot. To read more…
Yesterday, the 86th Legislative Session kicked off with the swearing in of members of the Texas House and Texas Senate. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) was also elected the new Speaker of the Texas House. 
Monday Comptroller Hegar released an updated biennial revenue estimate for the state’s 2020-21 budget. His estimate is that the state will have $119.1 billion available when creating the budget. This is an increase of 8.1%. 
Hank’s has quickly become a go-to restaurant in the Windsor Park area of Austin for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the all-important weekend brunch. Bread, pastas, and pastries are all made in-house. The food options are extensive and delicious—ranging from burgers and sandwiches to oysters and salmon. They also have the most comfortable booths and the best kids’ coloring pages in town! 
Richard Overton, America’s oldest man and oldest war veteran died shortly before the New Year. During his long life, he served in the Army during WWII, worked in the state treasurer’s office, traveled to the White House to meet President Obama and Vice President Biden, and had a street and day dedicated to him in Austin. We will miss seeing him on his East Austin porch. 
Governor Abbott has called a special election for January 29th for House District 145, vacated by now Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), and for House District 79, being vacated by Rep. Joe Pickett (D-El Paso). Candidates must file by 5pm tomorrow, January 3rd. 
This time next week, the 2019 Texas Legislative Session will be officially underway!
Austin truly lives up to its live music capitol of the world designation during this first week of the year with Free Week. For this entire week, hundreds of bands participate in music venues all over town like Stubb’s, The White Horse, Hotel Vegas, and the Empire Control Room & Garage. And it’s all for free! 
Governor Abbott has appointed David Whitley as the next Secretary of State. Whitley most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Abbott. Whitley’s appointment requires Senate confirmation. 
For now. Friday, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional because there is no longer a tax penalty for not having insurance as required by the “individual mandate”. Because of this, Judge Reed ruled that the entire law is unconstitutional as well. The ACA is still law as this case makes its way through the appeals process. Governor Abbott has said Texas will work on an alternative to the ACA if it is ultimately struck down by the courts. 
An Austin tradition is making a comeback with the 37th Street lights (37th Street and Guadalupe). The truly Austin-style holiday displays near West Campus had started to dwindle, but this year they are back brighter and weirder than ever. If you don’t want to fight the crowds at Zilker, this is the perfect “Keep Austin Weird” solution. 
Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) has narrowly avoided a runoff against Rep. Ana Hernandez (D-Houston) in the special election to fill the Senate District 6 seat left by Sylvia Garcia. Unofficial results have Alvarado as the winner of 50.4% of the vote, avoiding a runoff by 59 votes. A special election will need to be called to fill the House seat Alvarado is vacating. 
Former state representative Jason Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) has taken a job at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) as senior manager and distinguished fellow on energy issues. Isaac recently left another conservative think tank, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI). 
Secretary of State Rolando Pablos is stepping down effective December 15th. Pablos was appointed to the position in January 2017 and has served as the chief elections officer for the state and as advisor to Governor Abbott on border issues. Pablos is returning to private practice as an attorney. 
The Trail of Lights, one of Austin’s most beloved traditions, is up and glowing. Since its initial gathering as “Yule Fest” in 1965, the Trail of Lights has expanded to more than 65 displays and over 2 million lights. Don’t miss your chance to see Zilker Park at its brightest. The Trail of Lights runs through December 23rd. 
Governor Abbott has declared today a day of mourning to honor President George H.W. Bush. All state agencies, offices and departments are to be closed with skeleton crews running for crucial government operations. 
Outgoing Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, has announced he will begin teaching at Rice University in January as a professor and senior fellow of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research. His first class will focus on policy and the Texas Legislature. 
34 days until the Texas Legislature convenes on January 8, 2019. Get pumped up!
Sunday the Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony was held to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. 
Early voting has started in the special election to fill recently elected Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s (D-Houston) former Texas Senate seat. Four candidates are vying to be the next Senator to represent Senate District 6—Rep. Carol Alvarado (D), Martha Fierro (R), Rep. Ana Hernandez (D), and Mia Mundy (D). Election day is December 11th. 
This week after the final canvassing of counties within Congressional District 23, Will Hurd (R-Helotes) won by 926 votes over Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones. A recount for Texas House District 108 (includes the Park Cities and parts of East and downtown Dallas) also began yesterday. Unofficial results have incumbent Morgan Meyer (R-Highland Park) ahead of Democrat Joanna Cattanach by 440 votes, less than 1%. 
Rep. Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) has filed legislation to resurrect the annual post-Thanksgiving football game between the University of Texas Austin and Texas A&M University. The two teams have not played since 2011 when A&M left the Big XII Conference. 
The Texas House Christmas tree was delivered this week. Stay tuned for more pictures of a fully adorned Texas House chamber. 
In the race for the next Speaker of the Texas House. Monday, Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) announced he has enough pledges to become the next Speaker. This came shortly after four other Speaker candidates withdrew from the race. Members will vote on the first day of session, January 8, 2019. 
Attorney General Ken Paxton has been named Chair of the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA). RAGA’s mission is to elect Republicans to the Office of the State Attorney General across the country. 
Pre-filing for the 2019 Legislative session is underway. As of this morning at 8am, over 500 bills have been filed ranging from full-day pre-K to pollinator health. 
Chef Tyson Cole (Uchi) and pit master Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue) have joined forces to create Loro, an Asian smokehouse. Wondering how Loro’s brisket stacks up against Franklin’s? You’ll have to head over to Loro after 5pm. Otherwise, try the smoked prime bavette, you won’t regret it. 
There have been some changes to the lineup of filed candidates for Speaker of the Texas House. Sunday, Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond) withdrew from the race. Tuesday, Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) officially filed to run. House members will vote on the next Speaker on the first day of session, January 8, 2019. 
Austin is home to the YETI Flagship store, your one stop shop for coolers, drinkware, chairs and more. Not only is it a place to shop, it’s an experience complete with a live music stage, film screenings, and in-store events. On our last visit, we met this furry guy. 
Early voting starts Monday, October 22nd and ends Friday, November 2nd. You can vote at any early voting location in your county. 
Sara Martinez Tucker, the Chair of the University of Texas System’s Board, has announced that she will resign effective January 15, 2019. Her term is to expire in 2021. No reason was given for her early resignation. 
Today the 3rd Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the lawsuit over Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance. The ordinance was to take effect on October 1, 2018, but has been temporarily blocked by the courts. 
It’s a book lovers favorite time of year, the Texas Book Festival held in and around the Capitol. Since its founding in 1995 by then First Lady of Texas Laura Bush and Mary Margaret Farabee, the festival has hosted hundreds of authors from around the world and donated nearly $3 million to Texas public libraries. Come discover your new favorite book the weekend of October 27-28.