ATX-ETA: Impact 5/7/2026

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Task force proposes nearly $770M bond to fund Austin housing, parks, flood prevention

The resident-led task force tasked with recommending the scope of Austin's next bond produced two options in May: a $766.53 million package and a narrowed $436 million proposal, which will now be used by City Council to shape a final plan this year.

The details: Competing visions for the new bond have emerged as it was developed over the past several months, based both on public feedback and council requests. Elected officials will weigh multiple bond recommendations over the coming weeks before potentially advancing a fall bond election.

City staff previously projected every $100 million in a new bond would equate to more than $14 per year in new costs for the median homeowner. The task force's larger option would increase the typical property tax bill by more than $100, while the smaller version would be closer to $60.

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now open

Sugarwolf Bakery now serving breakfast, lunch and beverages in downtown

Austin’s newest bakery held its grand opening downtown on May 5, serving coffee, cocktails, pastries and lunch.

What they offer: Sugarwolf sells scratch-made baked goods, made daily. The new restaurant uses organic flour and grass-fed butter, and makes products without seed oils. Daily offerings include croissants, sourdough, cookies, rotating pastries and sandwiches on house-baked bread.

On the menu: Breakfast is served until 11 a.m., including ham and cheese focaccia, a sugarwolf parfait and a smash sausage sandwich. Lunch rolls out from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and features a french dip sandwich, chopped pork focaccia and shaved brussels caesar salad.

401 W. 4th St., Ste. 120, Austin

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CI Texas

‘It’s not sustainable’: Texas House lawmakers study causes of rising health care costs

As health care costs continue rising in Texas and across the nation, state lawmakers are working to understand the factors that make health care unaffordable and what can be done to rein in prices.

The big picture: About 5.2 million Texans, or 16.7% of the state’s population, did not have health insurance in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

For years, advocates have called on Texas lawmakers to pass laws to drive down health care costs and improve access to health insurance. During a two-day hearing April 30 and May 1, a Texas House committee examined why health care costs are rising. Lawmakers will discuss potential policy solutions later this year, committee chair Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, said.

What's happening: Yale University professor Zack Cooper said that since 2000, U.S. health care spending has grown three times faster than inflation. The average health insurance premium for a family of four is $27,000 per year, he said.

“Every family is basically buying a new Toyota Corolla worth of health insurance," Cooper told lawmakers.