The City of Austin adopts a Legislative program that authorizes and prioritizes its advocacy with state and federal governing bodies. Below you will find the City Council’s approved 2020-2021 State Legislative Agenda, which identifies the legislative priorities for the City of Austin for the 87th Legislative Session and its approved 2021 Federal Legislative Agenda, which identifies the legislative priorities for the City of Austin for the 117th Congress.
State Legislative Agenda, 87th Session
- The City of Austin’s 87th State Legislative Agenda reflects the City’s priorities for efficient and cost-effective government services that foster Austin’s prosperity, sustainability and safety. The City of Austin supports legislation that enhances City services, reduces the cost of providing services, prioritizes a prosperous business climate and improves the quality of life for its residents. The City of Austin opposes legislation that strips Austin residents of their right to self-governance, increases taxpayer costs for City services that residents rely on, undermines the principle of home rule, negatively affects the City’s financial ability to act in the best interest of its residents, or imposes on Austin taxpayers the burden of paying for State mandates or collecting revenues for the State.
State Lobby Contracts (2010-2020)
- 2010-2011
- 2011-2012
- 2012-2013
- 2013-2014
- 2014-2015
- 2015-2016
- 2016-2017
- 2017-2018
- 2018-2019
- 2019-2020
- 2020-2021
Federal Legislative Agenda, 117th Congress
- The City of Austin's Federal Legislative Program focuses on policies and legislation that impact the City of Austin.
- The City of Austin opposes any legislative or regulatory actions that:
- Erode the home rule authority of municipalities;
- Constrain the ability of the City of Austin to allocate resources to areas of locally determined concern;
- Preempt City of Austin authority in matters generally and traditionally the domain of local government.
- The City of Austin supports policies and legislation that:
- Provide an equitable distribution of federal funds;
- Address the concerns and needs of large metropolitan center cities in areas of transportation, public safety, affordable housing, vibrant and healthy neighborhoods, energy and the environment;
- Recognize the important role of strong central cities play in our nation's economy and as innovators in broad areas of public police;
- Provide a solid safety net for economically vulnerable populations; and,
- Recognize the challenge of climate change and the need to develop economically sustainable ways to address it.