As Austin and Texas battle, city leaders look warily at partnership

On this third week of June 2017, Austin leaders found themselves paused between two legislative sessions seeking to overturn city regulations and curtail efforts to raise taxes, and City Hall is both suing the state and being sued over immigration enforcement policies.

So it might be an awkward moment for the state of Texas to ask for a $7 million favor.

But that’s exactly what the City Council is asked to approve this week: An interlocal deal to grant $6.9 million in fee waivers for a Capitol Complex master plan, plus expedited permitting, conversion of 16th, 17th and 18th streets to two-way traffic and appointment of a city project team. The $581 million state project plans to transform Congress Avenue north of the Capitol into pedestrian green space, anchored in later phases by new office buildings at 16th and 18th streets for state workers.

“Do any of these phases include some kind of improvement that pumps the smell of freedom into the air?” asked Council Member Delia Garza.

Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/local-govt--politics/austin-and-texas-battle-city-leaders-look-warily-partnership/gWI6XvPlkfCsDqITHrBwlK/