May - 2017

Archive

Gov. Abbott will decide on special session later this week

Gov. Greg Abbott said he will announce later this week whether to call a special session, resolving a standoff between the Texas Senate and House. “I’ll be making an announcement later this week on a special session,” Abbott said. “When it gets to a special session, the time and topics are solely up to the governor in the state of Texas. If we have a special session, we will be convening on only the topics I choose by the time of my choosing.” Asked how much pressure he was f

‘This Is Devastating to the Cities. It Is Even More Devastating to Rural Areas’

WASHINGTON — Local government leaders and congressional Democrats vowed this week to defend against President Trump’s proposals to wipe out funding for federal grants that help communities cover costs ranging from park upgrades to services for domestic violence victims. The fiscal year 2018 budget plan the White House released Tuesday proposes eliminating all funding for the Community Development Block Grant program, which was allotted about $3 billion in the current fiscal y

San Francisco to Delivery Robots: Get Off the Damn Sidewalk

A city lawmaker has proposed legislation banning autonomous delivery-bots. But the battle over who gets to use the sidewalk may just be getting started. It was only a matter of time until San Francisco again became Ground Zero in a new battle between the public resources of a community and the private reach of technology companies. This week, city supervisor Norman Yee introduced a bill banning delivery robots from San Francisco’s sidewalks and streets. These delivery robots

How cities can help supply chains perfect the last mile

Urban freight is expected to increase 40% by 2050, going hand-in-hand with the slew of retail stores closing due to e-commerce growth. That means more trucks on the road, clogging precious residential and downtown street space while making deliveries. “Where you now see UPS and FedEx trucks in neighborhood once a day, you will see them four to five times a day, plus the smaller players,” says Andre Pharand, Accenture’s global management consulting lead for the postal and parc

Here’s How Much Trump Wants to Spend Annually on His Proposed Infrastructure Program

WASHINGTON — There are annual spending figures for President Trump’s promised $1 trillion infrastructure plan in the budget proposal the White House will issue on Tuesday. Documents the Trump administration released Monday to reporters show the White House wants $5 billion of spending on the program in the upcoming 2018 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. That amount would rise in the following years, cresting at $50 billion in 2021, before gradually sinking back to $5 billion

Stan the Robot will park your car at Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport

Parisian firm Stanley Robotics has created a robot called Stan that can drop and pick up your car for you at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The robot picks up your car close to the terminals, so travelers do not have to lug their bags to check in, and takes it to a secure car park. The system is connected to your flight details, so your car will be in the garage and ready to leave when you get back from your trip. As well as making things easier for holiday makers, Stan can

Massive tanker's arrival in South Texas makes history

INGLESIDE — A massive crude carrier called the Anne docked at the Port of Corpus Christi on Friday without a drop of oil in its cargo hold. Nonetheless, its visit made history. At nearly 1,100 feet long and 200 feet wide, the French vessel was easily be the largest oil tanker to ever call on a port in the Gulf of Mexico. Officials for Occidental Petroleum successfully navigated the super tanker through the port and safely docked it at the Oxy Ingleside Energy Center export te

New Legislation Seeks To Expand Scope Of Public-Private Partnerships

In the face of failing or outdated infrastructure, public-private partnerships offer a glimpse of hope. These agreements have become increasingly touted as the solution for the country’s public financing woes. Indeed, the current administration’s forthcoming infrastructure plan is expected to rely heavily on P3s. There are limits to what P3s can accomplish, though. While they’ve been implemented successfully in transportation projects, public buildings are a different story.

Dan Patrick's $20,000 tax savings claim proves incorrect, ridiculous

Texas Lt. Gov . Dan Patrick made such a dramatic claim about "must-pass" tax-rate legislation--$20,000 in savings for the average homeowner every year!--we launched a fact check. Patrick, during 17 minutes of remarks to Capitol reporters May 17, 2017, named Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, as one of two measures--along with the Senate-backed proposal barring local governments and school districts from letting transgender residents use bathrooms of

Surprise: Senate tacks 'bathroom bill,' property-tax reform onto House measure

AUSTIN — In a surprise move, the Texas Senate early Wednesday tacked its controversial version of the 'bathroom bill" and property-tax reform measures into a catch-all House bill. But it was a trap, the House author of the so-called "Christmas tree" bill confirmed, and the measures added to it are now dead. Among the 48 amendments the Senate tacked onto House Bill 4180 were the Senate-passed versions of Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 2, two measures the House had watered-down

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