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Nonprofits that provide HIV outreach, workforce development, youth assistance and other social services are bracing for potential funding cuts from the city of Austin.

Why it matters: Nonprofits typically perform on-the-ground work to help poor and vulnerable populations — and the city money is often a crucial funding source for their operations.

Driving the news: Austin officials are rolling out a $6.6 billion budget proposal for the coming fiscal year — up from $6.3 billion this fiscal year.

The big picture: City officials have been warning since November, when a property tax hike election failed, that they would be reducing spending in some key areas this coming year.

Follow the money: The proposed budget would still raise taxes and fees for the typical Austin homeowner by about $350 per year, or 6.1% over what they're paying now. It includes:

An increase in the overtime budget for Austin firefighters and more money to expand Austin police recruitment.

An additional $1.2 million for pools and parkland maintenance.

Adding five new staff positions for the Austin Public Library and providing $1.2 million in one-time funding for the recently renovated Austin History Center.

A new $250,000 investment at the Austin Animal Center to improve security at the shelter and increase safety for animal protection officers.

What they're saying: "In planning this budget, we focused on cost savings and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars," Austin city manager T.C. Broadnax wrote to the mayor and City Council members in laying out the budget plan.

Yes, but: The budget proposes a $16.8 million cut to the city's $74.2 million social service contract portfolio.

"Initial reaction was deflated," Lisa Stewart, CEO of the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, which undertakes adult education and workforce development, told KVUE. 

"You know, we try so hard to serve the city of Austin and the community that's here, and get them where they need to be on an economic opportunity."

At El Buen Samaritano, which provides health care and education services, cuts could affect not only the nonprofit itself but also "the families that we serve," Rosamaria Murillo, the nonprofit's CEO, told the TV station. 

City funds cover about 30% of operations of El Buen Samaritano, Murillo said.

Between the lines: The overall increase in the proposed budget is a function of base cost drivers such as employee benefits, wage adjustments, and inflationary pressures on contract and commodity prices, according to city documents.

Expenditure growth in three departments represents more than half of the total citywide proposed increase.

Austin Energy's budget would increase by $62.6 million, or 3.1%, to pay for wages and higher debt service, transmission and operating costs. 

Austin Water's budget would increase by $37.5 million, or 4.3%, to finance its capital improvement plan, among other costs. 

The Aviation Department budget would increase by $62.1 million, or 13.9%, as it continues to pursue a major expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The bottom line: About two-thirds of Austin's general funds go to the city's fire, police and emergency services departments.

Social service nonprofits brace for Austin cuts

Millions of dollars may be cut from Austin's social services contracts.

A hooded person leans toward a person in a wheelchair, handing over items from a plastic bag; both wrapped in blankets on a city sidewalk, with signs, power lines, and a Big Gulp cup nearby.

Dante Beard offers hand warmers and food from the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center to Amber outside her tent at a car wash on Menchaca Road in January. Photo: Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images

Nonprofits that provide HIV outreach, workforce development, youth assistance and other social services are bracing for potential funding cuts from the city of Austin.Why it matters: Nonprofits typically perform on-the-ground work to help poor and vulnerable populations — and the city money is often a crucial funding source for their operations.

News

The TV show "Friday Night Lights" is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Why it matters: The series, set in the fictional town of Dillon, was filmed in and around Austin.

Test yourself: Try out our quiz (below) to see how well you know Austin's connection to the beloved show.

How well do you know the connection between Austin and "Friday Night Lights"?

The "Friday Nights Lights" cast is on a 20th anniversary tour. How well do you know the show?

Group of teens and young adults sit in the bed of a blue pickup on a football field at dusk, smiling; yellow goalposts and bright stadium lights illuminate the scene.

Actors from "Friday Night Lights" posing in a publicity shot that may or may not have been photographed in Austin. Photo: Michael Muller/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The TV show &quot;Friday Night Lights&quot; is celebrating its 20th anniversary.Why it matters: The series, set in the fictional town of Dillon, was filmed in and around Austin.

Things to Do

Few major donors to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn have thrown their weight behind GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton since the Texas attorney general defeated Cornyn in a May runoff, per an Axios analysis of newly released federal campaign finance data.

Why it matters: Paxton likely must rally Cornyn supporters to his side to defeat Democrat James Talarico, a state legislator from Austin and a formidable fundraiser seeking to appeal to moderate voters.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggested as much, ahead of the bitterly contested runoff when he urged supporters of both candidates to back the Republican nominee. 

Follow the money: Of the nearly 100 donors who had given at least $50,000 to the Cornyn campaign or major supporting political action committees this election cycle, none appeared to have cut a check directly to the Paxton campaign or its affiliated PACs after the May runoff, the Axios analysis found.

Cornyn donors like the Perot family, long-time Houston beer distributor John Nau and Dallas real estate developer Harlan Crow have not steered money toward Paxton, per the latest campaign filings, which covered a period ending June 30 and were released on Wednesday.

Yes, but: At least a few prominent Texans who previously donated to Cornyn's campaign or Cornyn-aligned political action committees are now driving money toward Paxton.

Among them: Dallas-based tax consultant George Brint Ryan had contributed $10,000 to Cornyn Lonestar Victory Fund, a Cornyn joint fundraising committee, in January — and gave $100,000 at the end of June to the political action committee Paxton Victory.

On a smaller scale, Texas Department of Transportation Commissioner and Houston-area real estate developer Steven Alvis contributed $3,500 to Cornyn Lonestar Victory Fund in February — and gave the same amount to Ken Paxton for Senate on May 30, a few days after the runoff was decided. (His wife, Marci Alvis, also made a $3,500 contribution the Paxton campaign on the same day.) 

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones supported both candidates. On the same day in April he gave $3,500 to Texans for Senator John Cornyn (through a transfer from Lonestar Victory Fund) and $50,000 to Lone Star Liberty PAC, which supports Paxton. In mid-June, after the runoff, he cut a check for $250,000 to Paxton Victory.

What they're saying: "Despite the intramural contest earlier this year, I will strongly support the GOP nominee," Ryan tells Axios. "I've increased my support because ... (Talarico's) not right for Texas and he's not right for me."

Jones and Steven Alvis did not immediately respond to Axios interview requests. A message left with the Paxton campaign was not immediately returned.

"Republicans are fully united behind Ken Paxton," Republican National Committee spokesperson Zach Kraft tells Axios.

The other side: Cornyn has said he will not campaign or raise money for Paxton, whom he called a "con man" during the race.

State of play: Less than four months out, polls show a neck-and-neck race, but also that Paxton has been consolidating GOP support.

In a poll released last month by UT's Texas Politics Project, 84% of GOP voters said they would support Paxton in his Senate bid. That was up from 63% in April, when Paxton was locked in the primary runoff.

And next week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune — a Cornyn ally — will be a special guest at a fundraiser for Paxton, a possible come-together moment for a divided party.

The intrigue: Still, Talarico's campaign is banking on picking up voters like Todd Shade, a 62 year-old Austinite and Cornyn supporter.

"I think Ken Paxton is probably guilty of the things that he's accused of," Shade told the Texas Tribune about his intention to vote for Talarico. "It's more of an anti-Paxton vote."

The bottom line: Talarico outraised Paxton by a greater-than-3-to-1 margin, roughly $30 million to $9 million, in the second quarter of the year, per the latest reports, filed Wednesday.

The money will be crucial to buying ad time in Texas' major media markets as the candidates aim to burnish their credentials for voters — and attack each other.

Talarico for Texas finished June with $21.5 million in its coffers and Lone Star Rising PAC, which supports Talarico, finished the period with $12.7 million in cash.

Paxton Victory finished June with $3.85 million in cash; Ken Paxton for Senate had $1.75 million on hand; and Lone Star Liberty finished with $35,000 in the bank. 

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a comment from George Brint Ryan.

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Cornyn donors largely keep distance from Paxton

GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton likely must win over U.S. Sen John Cornyn's supporters to win in November.

A smiling man in a blue suit and red tie waves at a rally. Behind him, a large sign with bold letters, the American flag, and a colorful backdrop.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Texas GOP convention in Houston in June. Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Few major donors to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Sen. John Cornyn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/texas-primary-paxton-cornyn-takeaways" data-vars-content-id="86129321-01fa-43ee-a0e4-943eef7e95a8" data-vars-headline="Cornyn donors largely keep distance from Paxton" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/27/texas-primary-paxton-cornyn-takeaways" target="_self">U.S. Sen. John Cornyn</a> have thrown their weight behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" data-vars-content-id="86129321-01fa-43ee-a0e4-943eef7e95a8" data-vars-headline="Cornyn donors largely keep distance from Paxton" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/05/27/texas-senate-gop-cornyn-paxton" target="_self">GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton</a> since the Texas attorney general defeated Cornyn in a May runoff, per an Axios analysis of newly released federal campaign finance data.Why it matters: Paxton likely must rally Cornyn supporters to his side to defeat Democrat James Talarico, a state legislator from Austin and a formidable fundraiser seeking to appeal to moderate voters.

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

Politics

Austin policing is again in the spotlight as the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager continues to roil parts of the city.

Here's what we know: The officer-involved shooting in the pre-dawn hours July 24 on a playground on Baden Lane, in Northeast Austin, was set in motion with a 911 call.

"I'm looking out my window. It seems to be a kid. It looks like he has a gun. I'm not sure. … He keeps on messing with his waistband," the caller said, per a recording released by the police.

A trio of responding officers confronted a 17-year-old, directing him to keep his hands up, according to police and bodycam footage of the incident. (Warning: The bodycam footage is graphic and distressing.) The individual lifted his shirt and reached for his waistband, police say. Officers then opened fire.

After the shooting, Austin police chief Lisa Davis said that police determined the call came from the teen's cellphone, calling the incident "potentially a suicide by police."

The three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, per departmental policy. The city identified them as Alexis Cruz, Jake Pitcher and Avery Zucchi, each with between two and four years of experience at the department.

The latest: Authorities have yet to identify the teen, but the Austin American-Statesman reported Monday that the father of Anthoneil Williams II had confirmed to the outlet that his son was the teenager killed by police.

Axios could not independently confirm the identity of the teen.

Aerial view of a residential complex with a curved blue pool, a playground, parking lots, and buildings. Roads Arborside Dr, Whitaker Dr, Baden Ln; labels show "Playground" and "10100 Baden Ln".

The site of a shooting early Friday. Image: Courtesy of Austin Police Department

What they're saying: "This tragedy is a reminder that access to timely mental health and behavioral health care and support can make a meaningful difference for individuals and families facing a crisis," City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, who represents the area where the shooting took place, said in a statement on Monday.

"Our community deserves answers, and we must ensure that every incident involving the use of deadly force is reviewed with integrity, transparency, and accountability," she added.

The other side: "What happened to this young man is tragic because it shouldn't happen, but that is not the fault of the Austin Police Department, that is not the fault of officers, that is a broken mental health system, where someone feels like the out they have is at the hands of police," Austin Police Association president Michael Bullock told KXAN. 

"Law enforcement did not drive this situation. I wish it had not occurred."

The big picture: Friday's incident is the latest in a string of fatal shootings by Austin police of unarmed Black boys and men, including the 2013 shooting of Larry Jackson, the 2016 shooting of 17-year-old David Joseph and the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos.

In the wake of George Floyd's killing in 2020, the Austin City Council unanimously approved proposals aimed at limiting police officers' use of force.

One of the new policies, written by then-Council Member Greg Casar (now a Democratic congressman representing parts of Austin), says that a person fleeing officers must pose an imminent threat before officers can shoot.

The bodycam from Friday does not show a person fleeing, though it does appear to show officers shooting a second volley of bullets after the person they had shot continued to move. 

What's next: Police say they are conducting a criminal investigation and an administrative investigation in the shooting's aftermath.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with reporting identifying the teenager shot by police.

Austin policing under scrutiny following shooting of unarmed Black teen

Chief says the shooting was "potentially a suicide by police."

Photo illustration of an Austin Police cruiser with lines radiating from it.

Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Drew Anthony Smith/Getty Images

Austin policing is again in the spotlight as the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager continues to roil parts of the city.Here&#x27;s what we know: The officer-involved shooting in the pre-dawn hours July 24 on a playground on Baden Lane, in Northeast Austin, was set in motion with a 911 call.

Austin's summer has felt very hot, even without many triple-digit days.

Why it matters: While this has not been a record-breaking summer, mercury-wise, it's been an uncomfortable one.

Threat level: Heat index values will approach 110 degrees Saturday afternoon, mainly along and east of the I-35 corridor.

By combining relative humidity with air temperature, the heat index measures how hot it feels.

The big picture: As of early Thursday afternoon, the weather station at Camp Mabry had recorded three triple-digit days this summer.

Forecast highs on Friday and Saturday are 101, per the National Weather Service.

Catch up quick: Heavy rains have replenished regional waterways this month — Lake Travis was topped up for the first time in seven years.

Yes, but: Much of Central Texas is still experiencing drought conditions, per the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map out Thursday.

The vibe: It's icky, even miserable, out.

When you leave your house for your car, you can't help feeling like a crab scuttling from rock to rock.

And the lakes are not exactly refreshing. Central Texas waterways are generally clocking in in the mid-80s. By comparison, Barton Springs Pool hovers around 68 degrees. 

What they're saying: "We have had some pretty humid conditions and while we're not reaching temperatures in the triple digits, the high humidity makes it really feel oppressive," Bianca Garcia, a meteorologist with the New Braunfels station of the weather service, tells Axios.

NOAA map of the "8-14 Day Temperature Outlook" for the U.S. shows orange shades across most states, indicating above-normal temperatures, with state borders and a small inset.

Would you call that cherry red for Texas? Temperatures are likely to be above normal the next two weeks, per federal forecasters. Image: NOAA

What's next:  The next couple of weeks are shaping up as hotter than normal in Central Texas, per federal forecasters.

Hot summer in Austin, despite few triple-digit days

The temperatures in some Central Texas waterways are in the mid 80s.

Two large trees frame a bright green hammock stretched between them in a sunny park; a person with teal hair wearing headphones lounges in the hammock, with a group of people in the distant background.

Lillian Wilson lounges in a hammock in the shade at Zilker Park this summer. Photo: Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images

Austin&#x27;s summer has felt very hot, even without many triple-digit days.Why it matters: While this has not been a record-breaking summer, mercury-wise, it&#x27;s been an uncomfortable one.

Asher Price

Featured stories

Hot summer in Austin, despite few triple-digit days

Austin policing under scrutiny following shooting of unarmed Black teen

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How well do you know the connection between Austin and "Friday Night Lights"?

Social service nonprofits brace for Austin cuts