🌱 Texas Senate Approves Property Tax Relief + Water Lantern Festival

Hello, friends and neighbors! Happy Friday! It's Jessica, your host of the Austin Patch newsletter, in your inbox bright and early with the most important local news and community updates.

Get cozy while we dive into:

• A free, family-friendly event at Mueller Lake Park this weekend.
• Austin City Council approved two major resolutions.
• Piano virtuoso Vanessa Carlton is in town this evening!

But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 84 Low: 52.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) What are Austinites' two favorite topics to gripe about? Traffic and property taxes. Well, I've got news for homeowners: Texas senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 3 (SB3), which would increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 and provide property tax relief for millions of households across the state. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 4, which would "require the state to funnel at least $5.38 billion into public schools, which make up the biggest chunk of Texans’ property tax bills." The Texas Tribune has more on this story here.

2) The Austin City Council met yesterday morning to review 85 agenda items. During the session, city council members unanimously approved two resolutions to evaluate burying power lines. This decision comes after Winter Storm Mara, which caused tree limbs to fall on power lines, leaving more than 400,000 residents without electricity for days. Austin Energy estimates the project would be costly: "the cost to retrofit them [existing transmission lines] could be roughly $1 million per mile," but council members are committed to creating a more resilient city. Learn more here at KUT.

3) Eviction filings are on the rise in Austin, as the cost of living continues to rise and pandemic rent assistance programs wind down. Princeton University Eviction Lab Research Specialist Daniel Grubbs-Donovan said 262 eviction filings were submitted between Feb. 26-March 5, 2023, which is reportedly significantly higher than normal. “In Austin, they went up about 80% to about what was standard in terms of number of filings before the pandemic. The second largest increase out of any city,” Grubbs-Donovan said. KXAN has more on this story here.

4) Feel-good news: Caritas of Austin's Dining Hall officially reopened! Caritas closed its community dining room during the pandemic and switched to serving only to-go meals. As of yesterday, our houseless community can savor a sit-down meal in a safe space and enjoy a sense of community. Learn more about Caritas' commitment to our community here at CBS Austin.

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Today in Austin:

• (Free, Kid-Friendly) Rock The Park Concert Series featuring Flora & Fawna, Staci Gray Mueller Lake Park & Amphitheater. (6:45 p.m.)
• Drive-By Truckers at The Paramount Theatre. (7 p.m.)
• The Cathedral March Open House: Women's History Month at The Cathedral. (7 p.m.)
• Vanessa Carlton at Antone's. (7:30 p.m.)
• Jonathan Richman featuring Tommy Larkins on the drums at Mohawk. (7 p.m.)
• Druski: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Tour (Comedy) at ACL Live at The Moody Theater. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 🤘 Longhorn alumnus gives back: "Former Longhorns linebacker Derrick Johnson, who went on to play for the Chiefs, created a foundation which has just installed its second 'Discovery Den' in Austin at Langford Elementary School, unveiling it on March 23." The newly unveiled space includes furniture for kids who would like to read together or independently and “750 new age-appropriate and culturally relevant books.” (CultureMap Austin)
• 🏮 Family-friendly weekend fun: The Water Lantern Festival is taking place this Saturday from 3:30-8:30 p.m. at Mueller Lake Park. The event will include a vendor market, live music, food and the chance to witness thousands of lanterns reflected upon the water after sunset. Learn more at the festival website. (Water Lantern Festival)
• 🌼 Gorgeous wildflower view: Have you seen the incredible spread of bluebonnets at Mabel Davis District Park?! If you haven't snapped your new family photo or dog portraits yet, this is a great spot to add to your list! (Austin Parks & Rec via Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon!

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com