(Texas Scorecard) – The 2024 General Election ballot recently became significantly shorter for Texas’ capital city residents.
Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra issued a permanent injunction against 13 proposed amendments to the City of Austin’s charter late last week. The injunction resulted from a lawsuit filed by Save Our Springs, a group advocating for environmental causes and government ethics.
At issue was the city council’s failure to provide public notice that they would discuss the proposed charter amendments during their budget hearing on August 14. Under the Texas Open Meetings Act, governmental entities must seek public input before undertaking these actions.
While most of the proposed amendments were relatively minor, a few had the potential to be significant. Regardless, a district court in Travis County issued a temporary injunction almost immediately. Last Thursday’s ruling reaffirmed the court’s declaration.
Even without the proposed charter amendments, Austin voters will face significant questions at the ballot box this fall. Races for state, federal, and local offices remain unaffected. In addition, a series of tax increase elections leave Travis County voters facing what some have termed a “tax bloodbath.”
While the charter amendments will be on the November ballot, nothing precludes the city council from revisiting the issue in 2025.
