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City of Austin highlights firefighters’ pension bill, housing and homelessness priorities
Summary
City IGR officer Carrie Rogers briefed the joint subcommittee on March 3 about the city’s legislative program, including a local bill for the Austin firefighters’ retirement fund, housing and homelessness bills, proposed limits on municipal revenue tools, and federal grant coordination
Carrie Rogers, the city of Austin’s intergovernmental relations officer (filling in for Rick Ramirez), told the joint subcommittee on March 3 that the City Council adopted its state and federal legislative program in December and that the city’s top state priority includes a local bill for the Austin Firefighters’ retirement fund (filed as House Bill 2802 by Rep. Busey, according to city materials).
Rogers said the city is particularly concerned about revenue‑impact measures being considered at the Legislature—most notably proposals to require super‑majority (two‑thirds or similar) approval for bond or tax‑rate elections and other bills that would limit cities’ ability to spend beyond prior budgets. The city is watching those measures closely because they would interact with possible federal funding reductions and could limit local fiscal flexibility.
Rogers echoed county staff in highlighting mental‑health and homelessness initiatives. She said state Sen. Parker had convened a bipartisan group that produced draft legislation on housing and mental‑health services; the city expects that draft to generate multiple bills that may overlap with the county’s mental‑health proposals, including the proposed use of the Austin State Hospital campus. Rogers described early support across party lines for some homelessness and mental‑health measures and said the city is working to align with county efforts and legislative sponsors.
The city is also monitoring bills with direct operational impact: a Representative Kane bill (referenced as HB1715 in city materials) to limit organizations from prohibiting firearms at events; several land‑use bills aiming to accelerate affordable housing production; and proposals to create oversight or public‑hearing requirements before converting city property to homeless‑housing uses. Rogers said she expects more activity in the coming days and that the city is coordinating community project funding (earmark) requests and a centralized grants unit to pursue federal opportunities.
Rogers concluded by noting the city had circulated its legislative program to partners and would continue coordinating with the county and school district on overlapping priorities.
