Won’t You Be My Neighbor? No Thanks, Elon Musk. For the past few months, Mr. Musk, 53, has bulldozed his way across Washington, flouting long-established traditions and hacking away at what he deemed to be unnecessary federal bureaucracy. But in his own backyard outside Austin, the tech billionaire has become mired in a maze of local regulations and red tape." (New York Times)
A new EV company incorporates in Texas as 'Tesla EV Motors' A company with the name Tesla EV Motors has incorporated in Texas with its headquarters in Austin, less than 20 miles from the Tesla Gigafactory. The new company, led by president and CEO Dan Thomas, is looking to build "the people's car," developed by and for Americans." (Karoline Leonard, Austin American-Statesman)
Travis County sues Nate Paul, Austin developer tied to Paxton, over millions in unpaid taxes "The county says eight businesses owned by Paul each owe tens of thousands in property taxes. According to records, these companies include WC 1ST & TRINITY LP, the owner of a 1-acre piece of land near the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Austin." (Audrey McGlinchy, KUT 90.5)
Habitat for Humanity plans to build 48 affordable homes in Whisper Valley in Travis County "Habitat and its volunteers plan to build 48 single-family homes in Whisper Valley, off the Texas 130 toll road, to help with the Austin region’s growing need for workforce housing for middle-income earners." (Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman)
Plans for parks over I-35 collide with Austin's cash crunch "Facing a deepening budget deficit as the state Legislature tightens the reins on city spending, Austin's City Council was warned Tuesday that an ambitious plan to build parks and public spaces over I-35 will require tough choices to avoid straining the city's finances for decades." (Nathan Bernier, KUT 90.5)
SMART housing to see changes in “phase two” of City Council-initiated review "The Housing Department is proposing four amendments to improve the “operation and functionality” of the program, per a presentation on the amendments given to the Planning Commission during a special called meeting on April 29." (Miles Wall, Austin Monitor)
