💰How Austin will spend $6.3B

💰 Council Approves $6.3B Budget

In a 10-1 vote, Austin City Council approved the city’s budget for next year and authorized a tax rate election to raise taxes by five cents per $100 of valuation. [CBS Austin]

• The city says the budget focuses on "core services, including homeless strategies, parks, and increased funding for public safety." [City of Austin]

🎙️ Would Flock Cameras Help Catch More Suspects?

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis this week said that license plate readers could have come in handy in the search for the Target shooter, though the city ended its contract for such readers in recent weeks. But how do Austinites — including local meme account evil MoPac — feel about using them? [City Cast Austin 🎧]

🐶 Dogs Injured, Killed in APA! Break-In

An Austin Pets Alive! shelter reported that someone broke into the building Thursday around 1 a.m. and released most of the dogs from their kennels. As a result, one dog died, five dogs were injured, and two were temporarily missing. Police are investigating but no suspect has been identified. [KXAN]

🏛️ Here Comes Another Special Session

Texas Republican leaders plan to end the current special session today, and Gov. Greg Abbott is planning to immediately call another one to pass new congressional district maps that benefit Republicans. House Democrats say they plan to stay out of state until California begins its redistricting process. [KUT]

• How long can Democrats hold out? We dug into the logistics to find out. [City Cast Austin 🎧]