💰 Budget adoption this week

⚖️ Paxton Wants 13 Dems Expelled

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is targeting 13 Democrats who fled the state to fight new congressional maps, asking the Texas Supreme Court to expel them from the House because he claims they made incriminating statements on their refusal to return. Lawmakers are due back in the House today at 1 p.m. [The Texas Tribune]

• U.S. Rep. Greg Casar said the redistricting effort is an attempt to silence the voices of Austinites. [KUT]
• Gov. Greg Abbott said the redistricting fight could last years and that Democrats will have to stay out of Texas to avoid being arrested. [Gov. Greg Abbott]

💰 City Council To Adopt Budget This Week

Austin City Council will adopt a budget this week for the next year and all signs are pointing towards a tax rate election. [City Cast Austin 🎧]

🕯️ H-E-B Has Barbecue Candles Now

Used up your butter tortilla H-E-B candle? You can now replace it with candles that smell like burnt barbecue ends, cornbread, and dill pickles. [CultureMap Austin]

🚫 Funding Cuts Won’t Change I-35 Plans, City Says

Austin officials say a plan to create bridges and decks over Interstate 35 will continue even after a $105 million federal grant was rescinded after the passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. [KXAN]

Congratulations to Rachel J. for correctly guessing last week’s “Where Is This?” This photo was taken downtown outside what’s left of the convention center. Demolition on the building started in April to make way for a new, $1.6 billion convention center that will be roughly 620,000 square feet when it opens in 2029.

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