Laredo arts commissioners hear updates on hiring freeze, posting rule change and growing artist workshops

The Laredo Fine Arts and Culture Commission on Thursday received a status update from staff about an immediate citywide hiring freeze and suspension of nonessential spending, a pending state bill that will change how the city posts meeting agendas, and program developments including a new website, social media outreach and an expanded schedule of artist workshops.

The commission was told the city manager's memo instituting the hiring freeze affects general-fund staffing and nonessential purchases. Vanessa, the commission's program manager, also summarized House Bill 1522, which staff said will take effect Sept. 1 and require posting agendas three business days before meetings rather than a 72-hour window. "This bill is gonna be going into effect for September 1," Vanessa said, and staff noted the commission already posts agendas on the…