ATX-SCA: Impact 10/21/2025

Early voting is now underway and local voters can cast their ballots in support of or against Austin's Proposition Q for a 20% city tax rate increase.

The local tax rate election, or TRE, is required after City Council passed a budget this summer backed by a tax rate above Texas' voter-approval rate. Proposition Q's passage would keep the budget and rate in place as approved, while its rejection would force city leaders to cut down their fiscal year 2025-26 spending plan and tax rate within the state cap.

The TRE would add about $110 million to Austin's general fund, which supports public-facing city services like public safety, parks, public health and housing programs. Council members dedicated tens of millions of dollars to their priorities in those subject areas during their summer budget deliberations.

Campaigns for and against Proposition Q are well underway, drawing tens of thousands of dollars for and against the TRE over the past several months.

Across the state of Texas, families brave overwhelming medical situations in which they often have no options but to stay in hospital rooms while supporting their children needing care. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas has worked since 1985 to ease these experiences with comfortable sleeping spaces, food services and more.

The history: Since its launch, the nonprofit has expanded with family rooms available at Dell Children’s Medical Center, Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus, Seton Medical Center Austin, St. David’s Medical Center and St. David’s North Austin Medical Center.

Each family room contains a living room, a kitchen and dining area, sleeping rooms, shower and laundry facilities, a quiet room and snacks and beverages.

“No family ever dreams of having a child in a hospital,” COO Kristin Coulter said. “The certainty when they’re told that their child has a diagnosis or is critically ill to have a resource like Ronald McDonald House come alongside them and walk along that journey with them is very comforting.”

• 1315 Barbara Jordan Blvd., Ste. 1/2, Austin

Travis County and Austin officials have issued a local disaster declaration as wildfire risk rises across Central Texas, following a renewed statewide proclamation by Gov. Greg Abbott.

“The risk is real,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said.

The overview: Local declarations allow the city and county to respond quickly to emergencies by temporarily bypassing time-consuming contract processes.

Some context: Though summer rains fueled vegetation growth, dry conditions have turned it into additional fire fuel, creating a “critical point,” Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howell said. Between Oct. 17-19, two brush fires broke out, including one near the Circuit of the Americas, briefly threatening nearby homes.

Action taken: The city is updating wildfire evacuation plans for neighborhoods with limited access, working closely with residents to prepare communities.

What you should know: Officials urge homeowners to create defensible space, maintain gutters, and remove flammable materials within 5 feet of their homes. Residents can request free Structural Ignition Zone Evaluations and sign up for emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org to stay prepared this wildfire season.

As water restrictions and shortages become more common in Texas communities, state lawmakers are asking voters to approve $20 billion to fund new water supply projects and improve existing systems over the next 20 years.

The overview: If voters approve State Proposition 4, which is on the November ballot, the state will create a dedicated funding stream to help local utilities access more water and upgrade their infrastructure. Without the new funding, Texas’ water crisis could deepen, experts say.

“We’ve got 1,500+ people moving to Texas every day, and not one of them is bringing a single drop of water with them,” Dean Sharp, who leads the management division of the Texas American Water Works Association, said Oct. 16.

Key takeaway: Despite the $1 billion annual price tag, Proposition 4 would not create any new state taxes or increase costs for Texans, lawmakers and experts said. Beginning in 2027, the money would come from existing sales tax revenue and be deposited in the Texas Water Fund, a state account that voters approved in 2023.