🤔 UT Austin’s new ‘anti-liberal’ funding dilemma

💰 Travis County Approves $2.16B Budget

Much of the new budget focused on emergency preparedness, allocating $15 million to refill the county’s reserve, $43 million for road and sidewalk improvements, and $135 million for staff expansion. New tax revenue is giving the budget a $131.3 million boost, $42.2 million of which will come from a property tax hike approved in September. [Austin American-Statesman]

• What’s the deal with all those tax hikes? We break down new property taxes and the November ballot measure that could bring even more tax increases. [City Cast Austin 🎧]

🎙️ For Those Avoiding ACL Fest

The start of the ACL weekend means the city will be overflowing with tourists, but is there anything else going on? It turns out there are lots of non-festival ways to enjoy the weekend. [City Cast Austin 🎧]

🎓 UT Considers Trump’s Funding Offer

The University of Texas at Austin is one of nine universities chosen to receive preferential funding from the federal government if it signs an agreement that limits perceived liberal biases. The Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” asks universities to cap international student admissions, recognize only two genders, and protect “conservative speech.” [The Texas Tribune]

🛄 Austin Airport Braces for October Chaos Amid Govt. Shudown

The partial shutdown of the federal government could slow down airport security lines just as Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is preparing for record crowds during the ACL Music Festival the next two weekends, and the Formula 1 race on Oct. 19 — one of the busiest travel stretches of the year. Airport officials are encouraging travelers to be patient and arrive as early as possible. [KUT]