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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

Axios Austin Thought Bubble

Axios Austin

Austin leaders are alarmed about legislation they say could slash the city's budget and result in higher property taxes — but the bill's author, a Republican state lawmaker from Georgetown, says that's not his goal.

Driving the news: Senate Bill 1110 would in some cases prevent cities from taking revenue from electric utilities they own or operate.

State Sen. Charles Schwertner filed the bill after widespread power outages in Austin last month, as some key ratepayers complained about their electric bill payments supporting other important city services.

Context: As much as 9% of city-owned Austin Energy's revenue is shuffled into Austin's coffers, according to Ed Van Eenoo, chief financial officer of the city of Austin.

That amounts to about $115 million in fiscal year 2023, per the city of Austin.

Between the lines: In what might be a wily political move, Austin officials warned in legislative testimony last week that stifling the transfer of money from the utility could lead to the raising of property taxes — a third rail for Republican leaders.

"Cities need to maintain parks and pay police officers regardless of where the revenue comes from," Van Eenoo told the Senate Business and Commerce committee last week. "Without a general fund transfer, the likely outcome for cities with [municipal-owned utilities] means higher property tax bills."

The Legislature passed a bill in 2019, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, that requires local voter approval to raise property tax revenue by more than 3.5%.

Details: Schwertner says he wants to prevent or reduce utility rate increases. He's concerned some cities take too much money from their utilities, leaving the utilities in a poor financial state.

The City Council approved two electric rate hikes last year, in part driven by the rising cost of natural gas.

Yes, but: Mark Dombroski, Austin Energy's deputy general manager and chief financial and administrative officer, said the measure would force the utility to slash the general fund transfer to increase rates down the road.

"All electric utilities provide a payment to their owners, just in different forms," Dombroski said in his testimony, adding: "Our general fund transfer is very reasonable. It is a benefit to our community."

The other side: Schwertner disputes that the bill would cut city budgets.

"That's not right. That's not the intent of the bill," Schwertner said during the hearing. "It just would prohibit transfers that cause a rate increase or cause indebtedness on the part of the utility."

Zoom out: There are 72 municipally owned electric utilities in Texas that the bill could affect.

What's next: The Senate panel would need to approve the bill before it goes to the full Senate for a vote.

It would also need to pass the House before going to Abbott for his signature.

State lawmaker proposal could slash Austin budget

A state proposal would hamper transfers of utility money.

Illustration of a hundred dollar bill stylized as an electric symbol.

Austin leaders are alarmed about legislation they say could slash the city&#x27;s budget and result in higher property taxes — but the bill&#x27;s author, a Republican state lawmaker from Georgetown, says that&#x27;s not his goal.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 1110" data-vars-click-url="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&amp;Bill=SB1110" data-vars-content-id="242fb099-c2aa-410f-8656-0e840d12a12f" data-vars-headline="State lawmaker proposal could slash Austin budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&amp;Bill=SB1110" target="_blank">Senate Bill 1110</a> would in some cases prevent cities from taking revenue from electric utilities they own or operate.

News

Politics

State troopers will assist the Austin Police Department with patrolling the city amid staffing shortages that police say have led to 911 response delays and fewer officers on the streets.

Driving the news: In a Monday afternoon news conference, Mayor Kirk Watson and other city officials said the move comes at no cost to the city.

Officials would not disclose how many troopers would be tasked to Austin policing.

Why it matters: The partnership between APD and the Texas Department of Public Safety is unusual, and reflects the more hand-in-hand posture toward Republican state officials promised by a pragmatic-minded Watson, who was narrowly elected in a December runoff.

The big picture: How to approach public safety remains a lightning rod in the post-George Floyd era, with Austinites divided about police spending.

Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott has floated the idea of a state takeover of the police department.

What they're saying: Watson said the plan will reduce traffic fatalities, response times and increase police presence across the city.

"My top priority is that the people of Austin both are safe and feel safe," Watson said. "This is a recognition that the police department needs more staff and we have a partner that can assist us. This partnership will improve safety and provide a runway as we recruit more officers and work to retain those currently on the force."

Between the lines: City officials and the police union remain at odds over civilian oversight and pay as negotiations over a new police labor contract continue.

Watson insisted that the plan happened organically from a conversation he had with Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

"This is support and supplement," Watson said. "Not override and overtake."

Flashback: Two years ago Austin voters rejected Proposition A, which would have put more officers on the street.

City finance officials said Prop A would have cost as much as $600 million over five years, and critics of the measure said it would not have provided comprehensive public safety reform.

Prop A opponents also said spending more on law enforcement would take away from other city programs.

By the numbers: Police chief Joe Chacon told KVUE last fall that APD has 1,534 officers on the force, down 65 officers from one year prior.

The department received funding for 1,812 officers in 2022, even though it had more than 1,900 officers just a few years ago.

Meanwhile, 167 officers had resigned or retired within the previous year, Chacon told KVUE.

911 response times have increased from 7 minutes in 2018 to 10 minutes in 2022, interim city manager Jesús Garza said Monday.

Of note: DPS, which is responsible for the security of the Capitol complex and other state buildings, has helped other Texas cities, including Dallas and San Antonio, and the department helped Austin police make arrests in February's illegal "street takeovers."

What's next: Residents should expect to see an increase in DPS troopers within the coming days, DPS director Steve McCraw said.

"We purposely don't talk how many troopers, but you'll certainly see a larger number of these uniforms around town," McCraw said.

There is no set time for when the agreement will end, according to Watson.

Texas DPS troopers to patrol Austin streets

Unusual agreement comes as APD copes with staffing shortages.

DPS troopers will assist the Austin Police Department in patrolling the city, officials announced Monday. Photo: Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

State troopers will assist the Austin Police Department with patrolling the city <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amid staffing shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/14/police-department-vacancies" data-vars-content-id="4fe53f28-1d1e-4d95-9ddd-438cf65639fe" data-vars-headline="Texas DPS troopers to patrol Austin streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/11/14/police-department-vacancies" target="_self">amid staffing shortages</a> that police say have led to 911 response delays and fewer officers on the streets.Driving the news: In a Monday afternoon news conference, Mayor Kirk Watson and other city officials said the move comes at no cost to the city.

Austin ISD's annual Pride Week will continue through the weekend, despite threats and sharp criticism from state Republican leaders.

The big picture: The district's Pride Week celebrates LGBTQ+ students, staff and families and encourages campuses to bring inclusive activities and resources to the classroom.

The week concludes Saturday with a community event featuring interactive activities for students and families from 5-9pm at the AISD Performing Arts Center.

AISD has translated its Pride posters into eight languages, including Burmese, Mandarin and Pashto.

Driving the news: AISD Pride Week comes as Republican lawmakers threaten its future. 

Flashback: Last year, Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the district saying that the week flouts state law, writing that parents could file grievances with the school board and the Texas Education Agency "on the basis that your event violates 'school law.'"

Still, city Pride events flourished in 2022, spreading beyond Austin and into Central Texas' suburbs.

Of note: Paxton has so far stayed silent on this year's event while other Republicans vow to push legislation that would ban similar events in public schools.

State Rep. Jared Patterson blasted AISD's Pride Week on Twitter and pointed to his measure — House Bill 1155 — that would prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity instruction in K-eighth grade public school classrooms. More than two dozen GOP lawmakers have signed on as co-authors on the bill.

Plus, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said he will prioritize such legislation, which echoes a Florida law that made headlines last year.

Critics worry that HB 1155 and similar legislation is vague and would suppress discussion related to LGBTQ issues and representation, the Texas Tribune reported.

Context: The measure comes amid a GOP push in Texas and other states to target LGBTQ+ people.

"Austin ISD once again with a wildly inappropriate pride indoctrination for students," Patterson tweeted. "My HB 1155 would put a stop to these types of events in public schools."

What they're saying: AISD's Pride Week activities "do not amount to Human Sexuality instruction," a district spokesperson told Axios.

"Austin ISD hasn't made changes to our Pride Week celebrations since last year. We have, however, made a greater effort to ensure that families are aware of the activities taking place at their schools," the spokesperson added. "We are proud to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all our students, staff and families. We want all LGBTQIA+ students and staff to know that we are proud of them and that we are committed to keeping them safe."

The bottom line: Outside the schoolhouse, Pride is engulfed in politics.

AISD Pride event receives GOP pushback (again)

A bill would ban gender identity lessons in K-eighth grade.

Illustration of a school bus with an activated stop sign showing a pride flag.

Austin ISD&#x27;s annual Pride Week will continue through the weekend, despite threats and sharp criticism from state Republican leaders.The big picture: The district&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride Week celebrates LGBTQ+" data-vars-click-url="https://www.austinisd.org/respectforall/pride" data-vars-content-id="c3cb378c-fcaa-4247-90f2-f870919ca276" data-vars-headline="AISD Pride event receives GOP pushback (again)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.austinisd.org/respectforall/pride" target="_blank">Pride Week celebrates LGBTQ+</a> students, staff and families and encourages campuses to bring inclusive activities and resources to the classroom.

As the Austin airport continues to see a record number of travelers, new data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals the severity of Southwest Airlines' winter meltdown.

State of play: For most airlines, summer will test how well they've rebounded from the chaos of the holiday season.

But in Austin, that test comes early each year when South by Southwest crowds, spring breakers, WGC-Dell Match Play attendees and NASCAR fans swarm the airport throughout the month of March.

Driving the news: The real story of winter holiday travel, of course, was Southwest canceling thousands of flights nationwide.

New data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that just 66.4% of flights — and 60.5% of Southwest flights — at AUS departed on time in December.

That's down from 76.5% of on-time flights — and 74.8% on-time Southwest flights — in November 2022, per the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Between the lines: 2022 was a record-breaking year for ABIA, but all indications so far suggest Southwest — and the airport — have recovered nicely since December.

AUS saw three of its five busiest days ever this month, according to airport officials.

During the same period last year, AUS dealt with fuel shortages and TSA waits that wrapped around the airport.

What they're saying: "While the terminal is definitely busy, we aren't seeing dramatically long lines," airport spokesperson Sam Haynes tells Axios.

Passengers are still encouraged to arrive early and expect a wait for airline ticket counters, TSA and concessions, Haynes added.

The bottom line: December was truly just as bad as it seemed, the data show.

What we're watching: How AUS handles another busy weekend as WGC-Dell Match Play and NASCAR collide.

Austin airport rebounds from Southwest meltdown

Just 66.4% of flights departed AUS on time in December.

As the Austin airport continues to see a record number of travelers, new data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals the severity of Southwest Airlines&#x27; winter meltdown.State of play: For most airlines, summer will test how well they&#x27;ve rebounded from the chaos of the holiday season.

Business

Nuha Elkhiamy, who arrived at Google nearly four years ago, says the future is bright for women in technology.

Catch up quick: Google named Elkhiamy the site lead for the company's Austin-based operations in 2021, supporting more than 1,000 local employees.

She has her hands full, juggling a role as director for people operations technology with the Austin office's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Why it matters: Women's History Month comes to a close this week, and Elkhiamy leads in an industry dominated by men.

We spoke to Elkhiamy about her work at Google and her efforts to make the company more inclusive.

This conversation has been lightly edited.

Q: How do companies like Google ensure that DEI initiatives aren't just talk?

A: Companies can help ensure that everyone in Austin has the opportunity to learn more about the tech industry. This can be through mentorship programs for students, but also adults who could be considering a career change. Companies can also support nonprofit organizations that are focused on reaching out to those that have been historically underrepresented in the tech industry.

Q: What's an example of how Google Austin has helped fill in that gap?

A: We are a proud partner of Code to College, which is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to dramatically increase the number of high school students from minority and low income communities to enter STEM undergraduate majors and careers. In addition to financial support, our employees volunteer their time at code to college and that helps the students of code to college really understand the possibilities that exist for them in tech, but also imagine themselves in tech.

Q: Where do you think Austin's tech industry has room to grow?

A: The reality is that in Austin, and more broadly, women don't hold the same number of leadership positions and companies at the same rate as their male counterparts. The good news is that I do see this landscape improving for women. More companies — locally and across the nation — do have resources that enable their growth and development, like employee resource groups.

Q: How do you overcome the uncomfortable feeling that is being one of the few women or women of color in a room?

A: For many women like me who wear the hijab, the biggest obstacle I've faced is a fear of the unknown. New colleagues might not know another person who looks like me or dresses like me. … In my experience, though, the vast majority of people who got to know me as a human — got to know me through my capabilities — I was able to gain their trust. I share this because I think many women have had similar experiences whether their qualifications, capabilities, perspectives or questions. … For me, personally, building a community and finding allies has been immensely, immensely beneficial.

A: I would probably start with an event in our faith-based community, and I think that's the beautiful thing about Austin — its inclusion and its welcoming of everyone. The kids love to head downtown. We spend a lot of time in the Austin Public Library downtown — or, more than I'd like — going shopping for toys. So it's really just, like, getting out downtown, enjoying the sunshine and really feeling like the warmth of the Austin community.

Five questions with Google's Nuha Elkhiamy

Elkhiamy leads Austin's Google operations.

Photo illustration of two talk bubbles, with Nuha Elkhiamy on the right.

Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Courtesy of Nuha Elkhiamy

Nuha Elkhiamy, who arrived at Google nearly four years ago, says the future is bright for women in technology.Catch up quick: Google named Elkhiamy the site lead for the company&#x27;s Austin-based operations in 2021, supporting more than 1,000 local employees.

Nicole Cobler

Featured stories

Texas DPS troopers to patrol Austin streets

State lawmaker proposal could slash Austin budget

Five questions with Google's Nuha Elkhiamy

Austin airport rebounds from Southwest meltdown

AISD Pride event receives GOP pushback (again)