ATX-CPF: Impact 11/6/2025

Austin leaders are readying to adopt a downsized budget with potentially cuts to city services, after voters rejected a 20% tax rate increase to fund various public programs.

The impact: The failure of Proposition Q automatically lowers Austin's tax rate to $0.524017 per $100 property valuation—5 cents below the higher tax rate that was on the ballot, but still a nearly 10% increase over last year's $0.4776 rate. The owner of a median-valued home in Austin can now expect to pay just over $100 more in property taxes.

What's next: With less revenue coming in, City Council will now be tasked with reducing a budget they expanded by about $110 million this summer. Austin's final spending plan will now likely resemble the original fiscal year 2025-26 budget proposed by City Manager T.C. Broadnax in July, although changes are possible.

One more thing: The taxing proposition's defeat also prompted calls for a broad audit of city spending and service outcomes from both sides of the election debate.

Owners Forrest Higdon and Jason Carrier opened Happy Slice Pizza in Austin on Oct. 29, serving specialty pizzas and more. 

On the menu: Menu items include pizzas like the Baracoa Betty, made with Mama Betty’s barbacoa, diced onions, cilantro, jalapeno crema and adobo sauce. The restaurant also serves baked fornatas, salads, garlic knots, meatballs, wings and desserts. All pizzas on the menu can be made on gluten-friendly crust, according to the website.

Happy Slice also has a bar with happy hour specials weekdays from 3-6 p.m.

Learn more: Carrier and Higdon are focused on providing the community with healthier pizza options, Carrier previously said to Community Impact. In addition to gluten-free crust, Happy Slice will also make pizza without cellulose and with unbromated flour. 

• Opened Oct. 29
• 9900 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 100, Austin

Travis County Commissioners approved $500,000 on Nov. 5 to support families facing sharply rising food needs as SNAP benefits lapse during the ongoing federal government shutdown. More than 87,000 people in about 45,000 households are expected to be affected, with benefits totaling over $16 million monthly. County staff warned that even if the government reopens, delays will prevent immediate benefit distribution, and federal contingency funding would only cover about half of monthly allotments.

Local action taken: The funding will go to Central Texas Food Bank, which partners with more than 107 local agencies and now distributes roughly $2 million in food weekly. The nonprofit has expanded distributions for families and federal workers, using reserves to meet demand. CEO Sari Vatske said participation has roughly doubled and shows no signs of slowing.

Looking ahead: Residents in need can locate nearby mobile pantries or partner agencies using the food bank’s interactive map at www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/find-food or by calling 211. Those who want to help can make monetary donations or volunteer their time.