INSIDER
Belt-tightening $4B San Antonio budget still includes new cops, ACS funding, homeless camp cleanups
Read full article: Belt-tightening $4B San Antonio budget still includes new cops, ACS funding, homeless camp cleanupsSan Antonio City Council approved a $3.96 billion budget Thursday morning that, despite its record size, includes several belt-tightening measures.
San Antonio firefighters overwhelmingly approve new contract with 21.3% raises
Read full article: San Antonio firefighters overwhelmingly approve new contract with 21.3% raisesRoughly 76% of the union membership voted on the contract, which passed with 97% approval. Only 35 of the 1,363 members who cast a ballot voted against it.
Transit funding, green initiatives could be bumped to make room for San Antonioās new fire contract
Read full article: Transit funding, green initiatives could be bumped to make room for San Antonioās new fire contractThe city and fire union shook hands on a deal that will be nearly $28 million more expensive over three years than for which the city had planned.
SAPD, Centro plan AI-fueled security camera network downtown
Read full article: SAPD, Centro plan AI-fueled security camera network downtownSan Antonio Police plan to test out a network of city and private security cameras in Downtown San Antonio, which could be monitored around the clock by both police and artificial intelligence.
San Antonio plans even more homeless camp sweeps next year. This map shows recurring cleanups.
Read full article: San Antonio plans even more homeless camp sweeps next year. This map shows recurring cleanups.The city planned for 700 cleanups this year. It passed 1,100 and is planning 1,300 for FY 2025.
Animal Care Services requests 13% budget increase for 2025
Read full article: Animal Care Services requests 13% budget increase for 2025San Antonians are expected to pay more for their streets, police and renovations in the upcoming fiscal year. The City of San Antonio is currently reviewing the 2025 city budget.
San Antonio firefighters get 21.3% raises in deal struck after 13-hour bargaining session
Read full article: San Antonio firefighters get 21.3% raises in deal struck after 13-hour bargaining sessionHaving negotiated since late March, bargaining teams for the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association shook hands on a new contract just before midnight Saturday.
Scooter patrol, Sunday brush drop-off, and homeless showers among San Antonioās proposed budget cuts
Read full article: Scooter patrol, Sunday brush drop-off, and homeless showers among San Antonioās proposed budget cutsFacing a growing budget deficit, the City of San Antonio has proposed cutting or shifting around tens of millions of dollars over the next two years. But what does that look like for you?
Trash, parking, and deceased transit: City fees going up under proposed San Antonio budget
Read full article: Trash, parking, and deceased transit: City fees going up under proposed San Antonio budgetAs the city tries to balance its budget by cutting or moving around tens of millions of dollars in spending, it also has plans to raise fees and other small costs in everything from EMS transport, to concert tickets, to transit permits for dead people.
San Antonio residents can provide feedback about proposed city budget at town halls
Read full article: San Antonio residents can provide feedback about proposed city budget at town hallsResidents who have an opinion or questions about the City of San Antonioās proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 are encouraged to provide feedback at a series of town halls.
5 things to know about City of San Antonioās nearly $4 billion budget proposal
Read full article: 5 things to know about City of San Antonioās nearly $4 billion budget proposalThe City of San Antonio is considering a $3.96 billion budget that, despite its record size, includes some attempts to back off spending.
San Antonio council members flout mayor, demand meeting on stalled fire contract talks
Read full article: San Antonio council members flout mayor, demand meeting on stalled fire contract talksAfter Mayor Ron Nirenberg refused to allow a discussion behind closed doors of the ongoing fire contract negotiations, half the city council joined together to force his hand. But it's not clear if they will get the meeting they want.
Texas GOP lawmakersā border and education wishlist would expand state budget by $2.7 billion ā and counting
Read full article: Texas GOP lawmakersā border and education wishlist would expand state budget by $2.7 billion ā and countingIf bills now being considered pass, lawmakers will be left with $3.3 billion to take care of unforeseen costs over the next two years. Some experts worry that Texas canāt sustain its massive spending on the border and public education.
City of SA to help more people at-risk of homelessness avoid entering emergency shelters with new budget funding
Read full article: City of SA to help more people at-risk of homelessness avoid entering emergency shelters with new budget fundingIn the adopted Fiscal Year 2024 budget, the city included an additional $200,000 in diversion funds to help with case management, in addition to utility and rental assistance.
Council, community start digging into $3.7B proposed San Antonio budget
Read full article: Council, community start digging into $3.7B proposed San Antonio budgetWith about a month until the San Antonio City Council is slated to pass a final version of next yearās budget, council members and residents alike are beginning to sift through the record $3.7 billion proposed version.
More police, ACS officers, homeless camp cleanups in proposed $3.7 billion San Antonio budget
Read full article: More police, ACS officers, homeless camp cleanups in proposed $3.7 billion San Antonio budgetThe City of San Antonio is expected to grow its budget to a whopping $3.7 billion this year as it pumps up its Animal Care Service budget, makes the biggest increase to its police department this side of the millennium, and funds hundreds more homeless camp cleanups.
With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raises
Read full article: With no new funding from the state, Texas schools are breaking the bank to pay for teacher raisesLawmakers this year didnāt approve extra money to help schools pay for raises despite having an unprecedented $32 billion surplus ā even after Gov. Greg Abbott commissioned a task force last year to improve teacher pay and retention.
San Antonio property owners to get āadditional tax reliefā as appraised values continue to rise
Read full article: San Antonio property owners to get āadditional tax reliefā as appraised values continue to riseAs home and property values continue to, the City of San Antonio is expected to cut its property tax rate for the second year in a row and possibly offer additional relief for property owners.
Senate budget panel approves $308 billion spending plan with new money for teachers, mental health, juvenile justice
Read full article: Senate budget panel approves $308 billion spending plan with new money for teachers, mental health, juvenile justiceThe proposal for the 2024-25 budget cycle includes $142.1 billion in general revenue spending ā about $5 billion higher than the proposal approved last week by the Texas House ā at a time when lawmakers have a historic $32.7 billion surplus at their disposal this session.
Texas House approves $302.6 billion state budget with tax cuts and teacher and state employee raises
Read full article: Texas House approves $302.6 billion state budget with tax cuts and teacher and state employee raisesAfter a marathon debate, the bill will head to the Senate, where lawmakers have been crafting their own version of the spending plan.
House panel advances new Texas budget with property tax cuts, teacher pay raises
Read full article: House panel advances new Texas budget with property tax cuts, teacher pay raisesThe proposal recommends spending billions on programs including property tax cuts, teacher pay raises, mental health services and border security. It leaves out requests for pay raises for retired state employees and funding for rent relief and childcare programs.
How could Texas spend its record $32.7 billion surplus?
Read full article: How could Texas spend its record $32.7 billion surplus?If Texasā budget surplus were distributed directly to Texans, it could pay for 12 years of school lunches, seven months of rent or 11,000 miles of travel. Hereās how to put the big number into perspective.
Gov. Greg Abbott proposes devoting $15 billion to property tax cuts in budget plan
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott proposes devoting $15 billion to property tax cuts in budget planAbbottās spending proposals also include spending $750 million on school safety and mental health services and expanding postpartum Medicaid to a year.
Texas higher ed leaders optimistic about funding, faculty uneasy about culture wars as new session starts
Read full article: Texas higher ed leaders optimistic about funding, faculty uneasy about culture wars as new session startsCommunity colleges want a funding overhaul this legislative session, and four-year universities are hoping for a boost in research funds. Meanwhile, faculty are bracing for a potential threat to tenure and limits to conversations about race.
Texas universities propose two-year tuition freeze in exchange for nearly $1 billion in additional state funding
Read full article: Texas universities propose two-year tuition freeze in exchange for nearly $1 billion in additional state fundingThe leaders of the stateās six biggest university systems are seeking the money to fund instruction, university operations and employee health insurance and to cover a free tuition program for veterans and their children.
The Texas Legislative session has begun. Here are 6 things weāre watching.
Read full article: The Texas Legislative session has begun. Here are 6 things weāre watching.Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. Theyāll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues.
Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growth
Read full article: Texas lawmakers will have $188.2 billion available for the next budget after record-breaking revenue growthItās far more money than legislators have ever had at their disposal, with an increase in available funds that dwarfs any previous jumps between cycles. Itās also more money than lawmakers can constitutionally spend.
Texas lawmakers have a $27 billion surplus, but a spending cap complicates their goal of lowering property taxes
Read full article: Texas lawmakers have a $27 billion surplus, but a spending cap complicates their goal of lowering property taxesTexas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the stateās reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the stateās lack of an income tax.
As inflation skyrockets, local Texas governments ponder tax rate increases as they balance budgets
Read full article: As inflation skyrockets, local Texas governments ponder tax rate increases as they balance budgetsLocal governments in Texas have spent the summer preparing their budgets for next year, wrestling with inflation and a law that prohibits them from raising property tax revenues beyond 3.5% without voter approval.
City Council passes $3.4B budget, including bill credits to CPS customers
Read full article: City Council passes $3.4B budget, including bill credits to CPS customersThe San Antonio City Council is poised to pass a $3.4 billion budget Thursday that includes pay bumps for employees, dozens of new police officer positions, and a property tax cut. But it is unclear whether council members will follow a staff recommendation to send $50 million in extra revenue back to CPS Energy customers or take more time to figure out an alternate use.
MLK Commission asks city to triple its contribution
Read full article: MLK Commission asks city to triple its contributionWhile the current budget proposal for the city in FY 2023 would provide $100,000 to the commission, its members want council members to approve $300,000 when the vote on the final version.
City housing department budget set to triple
Read full article: City housing department budget set to tripleThe housing departmentās proposed jump from $48.8 million in the current budget year to $150.2 million for FY 2023 is fueled almost entirely by the cityās first-ever housing bond, which voters approved in May. The $99.9 million in bond money is split between producing and preserving affordable housing.
More police officers and firefighters part of proposed city budget
Read full article: More police officers and firefighters part of proposed city budgetUnder the proposed city budget, SAPD would get 78 new uniform positions for a total of 2,581. Meanwhile, SAFDās firefighter and EMS positions would rise to 1,795 with the addition of 21 new spots.
What to know about San Antonioās town hall meetings on the $3.4 billion budget
Read full article: What to know about San Antonioās town hall meetings on the $3.4 billion budgetThe City of San Antonio will host several town halls this month to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which totals $3.4 billion.
City proposes giving $50M back to CPS customers as part of $3.4B budget
Read full article: City proposes giving $50M back to CPS customers as part of $3.4B budgetRebates for CPS Energy customers, a property tax rate cut, and pay bumps for city employees are all part of the proposed $3.4 billion city budget the San Antonio City Council will discuss Thursday morning.
TribCast: Are there signs of life for Beto OāRourkeās campaign?
Read full article: TribCast: Are there signs of life for Beto OāRourkeās campaign?In this weekās episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell and Patrick about the power grid, the race for governor and the extra money the Texas Legislature will have on hand to spend next year.
Texas House speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programs
Read full article: Texas House speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programsLt. Gov. Dan Patrick had asked House leaders to support his push for arming school police officers with bulletproof shields after the Uvalde shooting. House Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.
Texas A&M-SA provost steps down following reports on budget deficit, enrollment concerns
Read full article: Texas A&M-SA provost steps down following reports on budget deficit, enrollment concernsProvost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike OāBrien has stepped down from his post āeffective immediately,ā according to an email University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson sent to faculty and staff Thursday. The provostās comments about a $4 million budget shortfall at a Nov. 22 faculty town hall were central to KSAT and other media outletsā recent reporting.
Faculty fret $4M budget deficit, while Texas A&M-SA says financial position is āstrongā
Read full article: Faculty fret $4M budget deficit, while Texas A&M-SA says financial position is āstrongāIn the face of a reported $4 million hole in the current yearās budget, the administration at Texas A&M University-San Antonio claims all is well. Faculty, though, have been left wondering about the universityās financial health and are skeptical of its budgeting practices.
Watch Comptroller Glenn Hegar discuss the stateās economy and more at 10:30 a.m. at The Texas Tribune Festival
Read full article: Watch Comptroller Glenn Hegar discuss the stateās economy and more at 10:30 a.m. at The Texas Tribune FestivalHegar will also talk about how to keep Texas business-friendly and what another wave of COVID-19 could mean for the state budget.
Bill tripling Texasā border security budget and allocating $750 million to wall construction becomes law
Read full article: Bill tripling Texasā border security budget and allocating $750 million to wall construction becomes lawGov. Greg Abbott said Texas was stepping up to do the federal governmentās job after Bidenās immigration policies had āopened the floodgatesā to illegal immigration and crime.
San Antonio City Council adopts $3.1 billion budget
Read full article: San Antonio City Council adopts $3.1 billion budgetThe City Council on Thursday adopted a $3.1 billion budget for the 2022 fiscal year that restores many cuts made over the past two years, focuses on critical community needs, responds to crises differently and makes investments to become a more resilient city.
San Antonio city manager talks about $3.1B budget; focus to be on public health, changes to responding of 911 calls
Read full article: San Antonio city manager talks about $3.1B budget; focus to be on public health, changes to responding of 911 callsThe proposed San Antonio budget for 2022 is a record $3.1 billion. It is expected to be adopted Sep. 16 and people around San Antonio should be able to see changes.
Texas border wall project receives over $450K in donations, a week after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans
Read full article: Texas border wall project receives over $450K in donations, a week after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plansGov. Greg Abbott pledged $250 million in state funds for a Texas-Mexico border wall and is soliciting donations to fund the rest.
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will build a border wall, but doesnāt yet give details on cost or location
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will build a border wall, but doesnāt yet give details on cost or locationThe governor suggested more details would be released next week. The announcement Thursday of several initiatives is the latest in an ongoing conflict between Abbott, a Republican, and Democratic President Joe Biden's administration.
Allocating $16 billion in coronavirus relief funds will be part of special legislative session in the fall, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Read full article: Allocating $16 billion in coronavirus relief funds will be part of special legislative session in the fall, Gov. Greg Abbott saysAbbott already planned to call a special session later in the year for the Legislature to do its decennial redrawing of Texas political maps.
City budget forecast shows lean years ahead, doesnāt include $327M in federal relief money
Read full article: City budget forecast shows lean years ahead, doesnāt include $327M in federal relief moneyFinancial forecasts show high-profile portions of the city's annual budget could face deficits for years to come, but federal money from the American Rescue Plan Act could help soften the blow.
UTSA Study: some low priority calls to police might not need officer response
Read full article: UTSA Study: some low priority calls to police might not need officer responseA study of San Antonio police calls for service found some lower priority call types, such as disturbances or barking dogs, might be able to be handled by something other than the typical dispatch of a sworn SAPD officer.
Some tips to make your plans for home improvements less scary
Read full article: Some tips to make your plans for home improvements less scaryWhen assessing what changes to make to your home this year, some improvements will be your choice. But some improvements are necessary, like repairing big problems you uncover in your new house. To plan for improvements around your home, it helps to have a system to guide your strategy. āI recommend walking around your house, just like youāre getting ready to buy it, because thatās when youāre going to be most critical. Write down everything you see and donāt worry about budget just yet,ā Angieās List Co-Founder, Angie Hicks said.
Proposed city budget tweaks add money for housing, health, and small businesses, but avoid large changes to SAPD
Read full article: Proposed city budget tweaks add money for housing, health, and small businesses, but avoid large changes to SAPDSAN ANTONIO ā On the eve of the city councilās vote on the FY 2021 budget, proposed amendments to the $2.9 billion document would make small adjustments to areas like housing, health, and small businesses programs. City staff presented $4 million worth of proposed amendments to the cityās operating budget and $2.4 million worth of additional capital spending on Wednesday, following dozens of council member requests. City staff proposed these $4 million worth of amendments to the city budget. City staff are recommending $2.4 million in additional capital funding in the FY 2021 budget. (City of San Antonio)The city council is scheduled to vote on the FY 2021 budget on Thursday, Sep. 17.
Proposed SAPD budget increase a slap in the face for police reform activists
Read full article: Proposed SAPD budget increase a slap in the face for police reform activistsCity of San Antonio staff presented a $2.9 billion budget proposal to city council members on Thursday. I cant help but feel as though this proposed budget is a slap in the face, Celeste Brown told council members during the public comment portion of the meeting. I am strongly urging city council to push back. The majority voiced opposition to a budget increase for police, urging instead for city leaders to divert the money to areas like health care, housing, and education. Walsh told reporters he wanted to provide council members with "a deliberate approach that benefits everyone."
Trial budget shows struggles ahead for San Antonio
Read full article: Trial budget shows struggles ahead for San AntonioSan Antonio Employee paychecks, street maintenance, and arts funding could all see cuts as the City of San Antonio tries to find ways to shrink its next budget to meet low revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff presented city council members with a trial budget Thursday that attempts to deal with an expected $109 million shortfall in the general fund over fiscal 2021 and 2022. Forecasts from consultants and city staff showed various revenue sources could take years to return to pre-pandemic levels, meaning cuts are needed. If the economy recovers more quickly than expected, city staff say the council has the flexibility to reverse the cuts. As a result, the trial budget showed arts and culture funding dropping from $11.5 million in the original fiscal 2020 budget to $7.7 million in fiscal 2021.
The Playlist: Hog Heaven
Read full article: The Playlist: Hog HeavenAfter a marathon 17-plus hour debate that started just after noon last Tuesday, the House finally gave its preliminary nod to its version of the state budget, so we start this week's playlist of the weekās news with āFor the Love of Moneyā by The OāJays.