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October 20, 2025

✅ Today's BG Reads include:

🟪 Tens of thousands gather for Austin 'No Kings 2' protest (Austin American-Statesman)

🟪 New nine-year deal links F1, Austin's Circuit of the Americas for years to come (Austin American-Statesman)

🟪 YMCA details plans for redeveloped TownLake facility with condo towers, affordable housing (Community Impact)

🟪 Company ID'd for redevelopment of prime Hobby Building site downtown (Austin Business Journal)

🟪 17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know. (Texas Tribune)

🟪 Ron Nirenberg undecided on political future (Texas Pubic Radio)

🟪 The Democratic mayor who thinks cities are handling Trump wrong (New York Times)

🟪 Dallas mayor calls for review after police chief rejects $25 million ICE offer for immigration enforcement (CBS News)

🟪 How Americans are feeling about their chances on the job market, according to an AP-NORC poll (Associated Press)

READ ON!

[CITY OF AUSTIN]

🏛️ Actions taken by the Austin Council Thursday, 10.9.2025 // Archived Video 

🏛️ City Manager Executives and Advisors Staff Visual Chart

🏛️ City of Austin Org Chart (as of July 2025)

💰 2026 City of Austin Bond - Public Input

ℹ️ 2025 Essential Resources for Navigating the City of Austin

[AUSTIN METRO NEWS]

✅ Tens of thousands gather for Austin 'No Kings 2' protest (Austin American-Statesman)

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered at the Texas Capitol then marched through downtown Austin to Auditorium Shores Saturday for the "No Kings" protest, part of a nationwide movement against President Donald Trump's administration and what organizers and protesters describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy. 

Representatives from various organizing groups like Hands Off Central Texas and the Communications Workers of America union spoke in front of the crowd before the march to Auditorium Shores began. Other speakers included U.S. representatives Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar as well as Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who just announced her candidacy for the Texas governor's race.

Saturday's events remained peaceful, despite concerns around Gov. Greg Abbott's order to deploy Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Texas National Guard solders to Austin ahead of the protest… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ New nine-year deal links F1, Austin's Circuit of the Americas for years to come (Austin American-Statesman)

Circuit of the Americas was in full-party mode Sunday before the engines fired for the United States Grand Prix.

Formula One announced a long-term extension through 2034 with the purpose-built Austin road course. The most recent contract was to expire after 2026. The first USGP was held in Austin in 2012. COTA had never secured more than a five-year deal with F1. Until now.

F1 wanted to hang its cowboy hat with COTA and Austin because of its enormous popularity. According to F1 marketing officials, the USGP weekend drew more than 400,000 fans in recent years… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ Austin businesses feel the rush as F1 weekend boosts local economy (KVUE)

Austin is buzzing, as Formula 1 weekend drew crowds from around the world, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy. For many businesses, it’s one of the most lucrative weekends of the year.

According to Visit Austin, the race averages around 430,000 attendees over the weekend. The last full economic impact study for Austin’s F1 U.S. Grand Prix, conducted in 2021, estimated roughly $434 million in direct spending.

Since then, Visit Austin said the true impact is likely closer to $1 billion, citing inflation, growing popularity of the sport, higher attendance and increased hotel revenue year over year… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ YMCA details plans for redeveloped TownLake facility with condo towers, affordable housing (Community Impact)

Reviews are progressing for the Greater Austin YMCA's redevelopment of its TownLake center near downtown, anchored by three residential towers rising more than 400 feet.

Alongside those high-rises and an expanded YMCA, the nonprofit is also partnering with Foundation Communities on an affordable housing complex on the Old West Austin property. President and CEO Kathy Kuras called the project a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" for the city.

"Not only will the redevelopment provide a much-needed modernized facility that will serve as an economic driver for all YMCA’s and child care sites across Greater Austin, but the project will deliver broad environmental and public benefits for all," she said in a statement.

The YMCA announced its TownLake redevelopment plans at 1100 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, earlier this year. The future facility will include an early education and child care center and offer new well-being programs, including mental health counseling, as well as on-site housing support services… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ Company ID'd for redevelopment of prime Hobby Building site downtown (Austin Business Journal)

The company entrusted with overseeing redevelopment of one of the last full city blocks in downtown Austin is now known. 

Houston-based Hines signed a ground lease with the Texas General Land Office for the site of the defunct William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building and will redevelop it, a company spokesperson confirmed to the Austin Business Journal… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ Liberty Hill names Thomas Hunter as new city manager (Community Impact)

The City of Liberty Hill has chosen a new permanent city manager.

During an Oct. 16 special session, Liberty Hill City Council voted unanimously to appoint Thomas Hunter as the new city manager. Hunter will officially begin his new role on Nov. 17, according to a news release from the city.

The search for a new city manager has been ongoing since July 24, when former city manager Paul Brandenburg resigned. Brandenburg had been in the position since 2022. 

Hunter has more than two decades of experience in municipal leadership. Most recently, he served as the assistant city manager for the City of Pflugerville, and has held positions in different departments, including public works, utilities, emergency management and economic development… 🟪 (READ MORE) 

[TEXAS/US NEWS]

✅ 17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know. (Texas Tribune)

On Nov. 4, Texas voters will get the final say on 17 constitutional amendments — usually listed as statewide propositions at the top of the ballot — including billions of dollars in property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.

Early voting begins Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31.

Earlier this year, a two-thirds majority of the state Legislature passed the joint resolutions calling for the constitutional amendment elections, along with the state’s budget for the next two years, which includes $51 billion for property tax cuts.

Texas lawmakers have used multibillion-dollar budget surpluses, the result of inflation and temporary federal stimulus dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic, to pay for tax cuts in recent years. Proponents of tax cuts and bans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have said they will maintain Texas as a competitive, business-friendly state and contribute to economic growth… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ Gov. Greg Abbott names head of new office to investigate higher ed complaints (Texas Tribune)

Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday appointed Brandon L. Simmons as Texas’ first higher education ombudsman, charging him to lead a newly created office to investigate complaints filed against the state’s colleges.

The ombudsman’s office was created as part of Senate Bill 37, which was passed by the Texas Legislature earlier this year and went into effect on Sept. 1. The office will have the power to investigate complaints claiming that universities and colleges aren’t following the new law or the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as recommend funding cuts for violators. 

SB 37 gives governor-appointed regents new authority to approve or deny the hiring of top university administrators as well as courses that they consider do not align with the state’s workforce demands. Traditionally, faculty have advised university administrators on such academic matters and hiring decisions, but SB 37 also limits professors’ influence on campuses… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ Ron Nirenberg undecided on political future (Texas Pubic Radio)

Former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has not yet decided if he will run for Bexar County judge in 2026.

“I am considering it,” Nirenberg told Texas Public Radio.

Nirenberg said there is a political action committee that is now working to raise money for his political future — whatever path that might take.

“My heart is still in public service. It's been a very torturous discernment period for me because there's need everywhere, and I'm not pleased with the state of the world. I don't think anybody is," Nirenberg said. "And so it's trying to figure out where can I be most impactful? Where would I be needed the most? And so that's kind of why I've been considering."

If Nirenberg did decide to run for Bexar County judge, he would be challenging incumbent Judge Peter Sakai — who announced last August that he is seeking re-election… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ The Democratic mayor who thinks cities are handling Trump wrong (New York Times)

John Whitmire is not like most big city Democratic mayors. The 76-year-old, first-term mayor of Houston avoids confrontations with President Trump, courts Republican state leaders and saves his biggest complaints for his own party. “Sometimes the louder you get, the less people listen to you,” he said of his fellow Democrats. “I don’t respond to Trump — that could be counterproductive. Do I have personal views? Sure, and they’re strong, but why do you want to challenge him?”

With rhetoric escalating over immigration raids and National Guard troop deployments, Mayor Whitmire is betting that the best way to govern a large American city right now is to keep your head down. “Most major cities are in turmoil,” Mr. Whitmire said. “We’re not.” His approach, developed over 50 years in Texas politics, may be keeping down the political temperature in Houston, the nation’s fourth most populous city and a diverse, immigrant-heavy Democratic hub deep inside a red state.

But it has not endeared the mayor to his city’s progressives, who would say it’s not confrontation they crave. It’s backbone. “This is a mayor who has no vision,” said Karthik Soora, a co-chairman of Houston Progressives. Mr. Whitmire, in a series of interviews with The New York Times, faulted other Democratic mayors such as Brandon Johnson in Chicago and Karen Bass in Los Angeles for loud public challenges to the president over immigration enforcement and other issues that have only deepened divisions.

He had particularly choice words for Zohran Mamdani, the front-runner to be the next mayor of New York, for what he said was “a horrible record of bringing people together.” “He’s saying he’s going to arrest the prime minister of Israel? You think that’s how you bring people together? He and me are in different universes,” he said. Representatives of Mr. Mamdani and Mr. Johnson declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Ms. Bass said the mayor would “never stop working for, fighting for and being the voice of L.A.”… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ Dallas mayor calls for review after police chief rejects $25 million ICE offer for immigration enforcement (CBS News)

Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson is calling for a public review of Police Chief Daniel Comeaux's decision to reject a $25 million federal offer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, urging a joint committee meeting to determine whether the city should reconsider joining the 287(g) immigration enforcement program. The Republican mayor's request follows Comeaux's disclosure to the Community Police Oversight Board that he personally declined ICE's $25 million offer, citing concerns about bringing unwanted attention to Dallas.

The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement agencies to perform certain immigration duties under federal authority. Recent changes in Texas law now require county sheriff's departments to participate in at least one of the program's models. Johnson says the decision should be made transparently, with public input and a thorough analysis of both financial implications and public safety impact.

In a memorandum sent Friday to city committee chairs - Cara Mendelsohn (Public Safety) and Maxie Johnson (Government Efficiency) - Mayor Johnson asked for a joint meeting to be convened as soon as possible. "Clearly, participation in ICE's Task Force Model could offer substantial financial benefits to Dallas," Johnson said in the memo. "These funds could be used to hire additional officers without impacting the city's budget.

Declining ICE's offer may mean forfeiting significant financial resources." Johnson is requesting briefings during the meeting from both ICE representatives and the Dallas police chief regarding the rejected $25 million offer and the 287(g) program. He is urging the committees to evaluate the potential financial efficiencies and public safety benefits of participating in ICE's Task Force Model. Comeaux disclosed the rejection of the $25 million federal offer during a recent Community Police Oversight Board meeting.

During the meeting, he clarified that social media posts suggesting Dallas police were helping ICE were inaccurate. Officers were assisting U.S. Marshals, Comeaux said. He emphasized that the department has had "very little interaction with ICE." "We were contacted by the federal government, I think it was last week or within the last two weeks, and we were offered $25 million to be appointed 287(g)," Comeaux said. "We said absolutely no, not no. That was me who said that, turned it down. "There's nothing happening in Dallas, but every time we do something like this, we're bringing more attention to Dallas. We don't need that attention. We don't want to deal with that smoke."… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ How Americans are feeling about their chances on the job market, according to an AP-NORC poll (Associated Press)

Americans are growing increasingly concerned about their ability to find a good job under President Donald Trump, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds, in what is a potential warning sign for Republicans as a promised economic boom has given way to hiring freezes and elevated inflation.

High prices for groceries, housing and health care persist as a fear for many households, while rising electricity bills and the cost of gas at the pump are also sources of anxiety, according to the survey.

Some 47% of U.S. adults are “not very” or “not at all confident” they could find a good job if they wanted to, an increase from 37% when the question was last asked in October 2023… 🟪 (READ MORE)

✅ To hit back at the United States in their trade war, China borrows from the US playbook(Associated Press)

China likes to condemn the United States for extending its arm too far outside of its borders to make demands on non-American companies. But when it sought to hit back at the U.S. interests this month, Beijing did exactly the same.

In expanding export rules on rare earths, Beijing for the first time announced it will require foreign firms to obtain approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even tiny amounts of China-originated rare earth materials or produced with Chinese technology.

That means a South Korean smartphone maker must ask for Beijing’s permission to sell the devices to Australia if the phones contain China-originated rare earth materials, said Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative. “This rule gives China control over basically the entire global economy in the technology supply chain,” he said.

For anyone familiar with U.S. trade practice, China is simply borrowing a decades-long U.S. policy: the foreign direct product rule. It extends the reach of U.S. law to foreign-made products, and it has been used regularly to restrict China’s access to certain U.S. technologies made outside of the United States, even when they are in the hands of foreign companies… 🟪 (READ MORE)

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