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August 31, 2023

In today's BG Reads:

➡️  Austin’s homeless strategy officer resigning

⚖️   State preemption bill aka the “Death Star” ruled unconstitutional, for now

🏫  U.S. News ranks Austin LASA #1 high school in Texas

🏥 U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Service recommends Marijuana shift from a Schedule I to a Schedule III

🎙️  BG Podcast Ep. 213: Discussing Mckinsey and Co.’s city of Austin Development Site Plan Assessment(Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify)

And more. Read on!

[AUSTIN METRO NEWS]

Austin’s homeless strategy officer resigning (KXAN)

Austin’s Homeless Strategy Officer, Dianna Grey, is resigning, City leaders confirmed to KXAN.

The City assigned Grey to the post in late 2020. She officially took over the role in Jan. 4, 2021, according to our reporting at the time.

Previously, Grey had worked at a private practice serving as an independent consultant which helped the City of Austin with supportive housing work. Prior to that, she was the director of the Texas Office of Corporation for Supportive Housing.

Grey was the first person to work as the homeless strategy officer for a significant period of time. Prior to Grey, Lori Pampilo Harris was given the role but resigned after only a month in 2019.

The homeless strategy officer coordinates the city’s response to homelessness across more than a dozen city departments. Most recently, Grey — alongside Austin Public Health — has helped coordinate the opening of roughly 300 shelter beds at the Marshalling Yard and taking over the former downtown Salvation Army shelter…(LINK TO FULL STORY)

And in other Austin Metro News:

➡️ $164 million expansion project will add 3 new gates to Austin airport (KVUE)  -> FULL STORY HERE 

➡️ UT Austin wants to cover I-35 from Dean Keeton to 15th Street (KUT) -> FULL STORY HERE 

➡️ TEA offers Austin ISD less severe intervention over special education issues (Community Impact) -> FULL STORY HERE 

And for what it’s worth:

U.S. News ranks LASA among best high schools in Texas, nation.

Top 5 Austin-area high schools (per U.S. News):

1. Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA): No. 1 in Texas , No. 32 in U.S.

2. Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders: No. 11 in Texas, No. 95 in U.S.

3. Westlake High School: No. 41 in Texas, No. 299 in U.S.

4. IDEA Montopolis College Preparatory: No. 49 in Texas, No. 371 in U.S.

5. Meridian School: No. 56 in Texas, No. 419 in U.S.

*Our CEO A.J. and Associate Wendy are LASA and Ann Richards alums, respectively

[TEXAS NEWS]

Judge declares new Texas law that would erode cities’ power to enact local rules unconstitutional (Texas Tribune)

A sweeping new Texas law aimed at undermining the ability of the state’s bluer urban areas to enact progressive policies is unconstitutional, a Travis County judge ruled Wednesday.

State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble made the ruling just days before the law — House Bill 2127, which opponents nicknamed the “Death Star” bill — is slated to take effect on Friday.

The Republican-backed law aims to stop local governments from enacting a wide range of progressive-leaning policies by barring cities and counties from passing local ordinances that go further than what’s allowed under broad areas of state law.

The law is still expected to go into effect, but Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel said Wednesday's ruling gives cities fodder to counter any lawsuit against local ordinances challenged under the umbrella of HB 2127… (LINK TO FULL STORY)

OTHER TEXAS NEWS:

➡️ 774 new Texas laws go into effect Friday. Here are some that might affect you. (Texas Tribune) -> FULL STORY HERE

➡️ Democrats on the State Board of Education pledge to fight efforts to introduce PragerU in Texas (Texas Public Radio) -> FULL STORY HERE

[NATIONAL NEWS]

Marijuana recommendation by US health agency hailed as first step to easing weed restrictions (Associated Press)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delivered a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration on marijuana policy, and Senate leaders hailed it Wednesday as a first step toward easing federal restrictions on the drug.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the agency has responded to President Joe Biden’s request “to provide a scheduling recommendation for marijuana to the DEA.”

“We’ve worked to ensure that a scientific evaluation be completed and shared expeditiously,” he added… (LINK TO FULL STORY)

OTHER NEWS:

➡️ Feinstein is a silent character in her sad and messy final chapter (Politico) -> (LINK TO FULL STORY)

➡️ Mitch McConnell appears to freeze again while talking to reporters in Kentucky (NPR) -> (LINK TO FULL STORY)

 ➡️ Marijuana recommendation by US health agency hailed as first step to easing weed restrictions (Associated Press) -> LINK TO FULL STORY 

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