Funding for Austin's social service programs is in line for further cuts, and the city is now evaluating how to both save and reduce portions of its tens of millions of dollars in annual spending.

The details: Last year, City Council originally passed a fiscal year 2025-26 budget with significant investments in social services like homelessness response, public health programming, violence interruption and resident assistance. After the Proposition Q tax election failed, much of that spending was cut through required budget revisions and millions of dollars in social service cuts were outlined late last year.

Ongoing review of spending on various contracts is taking place this year to determine which programs are most critical to maintain, and which could be streamlined or reduced. Both council members and residents will have the chance to weigh in further as the process continues ahead of summer budgeting deliberations.

Check out six upcoming or ongoing transportation projects across the Austin metro. 

Upcoming projects
Crystal Falls Parkway rail bridge
Project: Leander city officials are considering building a railroad bridge over Crystal Falls Parkway at US 183, removing the current ground-level rail crossing and allowing traffic to flow uninterrupted by passing trains.
Update: The city is actively seeking a $40 million grant from TxDOT. The design phase is expected to take around two and a half years, followed by roughly three years of construction.

• Timeline: 2029-32
• Cost: $103 million
• Funding source: TBD

• Timeline: total project completion expected in 2029
• Cost: $4.5 billion
• Funding source: TxDOT and CAMPO

Samsung Austin Semiconductor celebrated its 30th anniversary Feb. 2, an official with the company confirmed.

Samsung came to Austin and began planning for its semiconductor manufacturing facility off Parmer Lane in 1996.

The history: Over the last 30 years, Samsung Austin Semiconductor has opened two fabrication units at its Austin campus. Construction on the first was finished in July 1997, followed by the second in 2007, according to a timeline on the company’s website.

The site has evolved throughout the years to produce more advanced semiconductor technology, the timeline shows.

In 2024, Samsung Austin Semiconductor contributed $19.8 billion in economic impact to the greater Central Texas area, according to data from the company. This includes operations of the Austin fabrication units and construction of the Taylor manufacturing facility.

What else?: Samsung Austin Semiconductor moved employees into the office building at its new Taylor campus in November.

The fabrication facility in Taylor will be operational by the end of 2026, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

• 12100 Samsung Blvd., Austin; 1530 FM 973, Taylor