Bills targeting Austin start trickling at Legislature. But how far will they go?

Bill filing is underway in the Texas Legislature ahead of the 88th session, and some lawmakers are laying the groundwork for their priorities while others take aim at Austin. Two anti-Austin bills are in the pipeline, the most fractious coming in a long-shot proposal from state Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, to abolish the capital city and fold it into a planned district under the lieutenant governor's and House speaker's authority. A similar bill came up last session and died. The second bill, from state Rep.-elect Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, who once represented Southwest Austin on the City Council, would prohibit cities from giving out taxpayer money to struggling residents under a program, already underway as a pilot in Austin, known as guaranteed income. In Austin, 85 families are getting $1,000 a month for a year to spend as they please. The program, which has not yet been reviewed for long-term viability, costs taxpayers $1 million.

By bringing forward the legislation, Troxclair, elected in House District 19 this month, is making good on a campaign promise to end Austin's money handout. "Getting a job is what lifts people out of poverty, and I think the misuse of taxpayer money is causing insult to injury to Austinites struggling to make ends meet," Troxclair said. The Legislative session will begin Jan. 10. The deadline to file bills is March 10. The anti-Austin bills are the first but, Troxclair warns, maybe not the last to target Austin, whose liberal policies often become prey for the political right. Two years ago, GOP lawmakers worked successfully to undo controversial measures Austin approved related to police budget cuts and allowing public camping, and fought unsuccessfully on behalf of wealthy lakefront homeowners who wished to disannex from and stop paying taxes to the city.