Bastrop ISD voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a 1.3-cent tax rate increase expected to generate about $6 million annually.

Why it matters: The district adopted its 2026-27 budget with a planned $1.7 million draw from reserves.

Breaking it down: State-mandated tax-rate compression will lower Bastrop ISD’s maintenance and operations rate by 1.7 cents for 2026-27.

The voter-approved increase would offset that reduction.

Looking back: Bastrop ISD’s total tax rate has not increased since 2005, according to City of Bastrop financial records.

What’s next: If voters approve the measure, trustees will amend the budget to account for the additional revenue and finalize how the money will be allocated.

Bastrop Live Music Foundation will host a fall fundraiser at 602 Brewing Co. to raise money for its mentorship and music programs. The fundraiser is set to include live music, food, raffles and a costume contest, Robert Kraft, executive director of the Bastrop Live Music Foundation, announced in a newsletter. 

Learn more: The foundation is holding its fall fundraiser on Oct. 23 to raise funds to expand programs, Kraft said in the newsletter. Locals can donate to the organization by purchasing raffle tickets for various goods and services donated by local businesses and individuals. 
This year, Kraft hopes to raise $15,000-$20,000 through raffles and donor matching to fund the mentorship program for 2027. The foundation currently supports seven students in the program who play either the piano, saxophone or violin. 
Get involved 
Kraft asks supporters of the Bastrop Live Music Foundation’s mission to make the world a better place through its music programs to spare whatever they can to keep the foundation alive, he said. Individuals can contribute monetary or raffle donations. 

Check out six trending Austin-area stories from Aug. 24-27. 

1. Bad Habits Card Company now open in Georgetown

2. Tejas Meat Supply closes Round Rock restaurant, butcher shop

3. COTALAND Theme Park to host grand opening event in late September

4. Scheels holds ribbon cutting ahead of Aug. 29 opening

5. Amazon picks East Austin for multi-billion dollar robotics facility

6. Hutto, Williamson County poised for $674M Blue Origin facility

For the first time in over a decade, there is no incumbent in the Texas attorney general's race as Republican Ken Paxton runs for U.S. Senate.

Democrat Nathan Johnson, a state senator from Dallas; Republican Mayes Middleton, a state senator from Galveston; and Libertarian Tom Oxford, an attorney from Nederland, are running to replace him this November. Community Impact asked the candidates for their perspectives on Texas' open records laws, state litigation and other topics.

How we got here: Johnson and Middleton each won their primary runoff elections in May, Community Impact reported, while Oxford was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Looking ahead: Early voting in eight statewide races and dozens of local elections runs from Oct. 19-30. Election Day is Nov. 3.