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New law forces sheriffs to help ICE - The Austin Bulldog

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Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · 1d

New law forces sheriffs to help ICE
Senate Bill 8 goes into effect January 1st
theaustinbulldog.org/new-law-forc...

Although Central Texas has not been subjected to the numbers of immigration raids and sweeps by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that have been seen along the border with Mexico, or the Natio...

Open government advocates gather in Austin - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · 8d

Open government advocates gather in Austin
Annual conference hosted by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
theaustinbulldog.org/open-governm...

The recent flooding in Kerr County took center stage as the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas (FOIFT) hosted its annual conference last Friday. It started with a panel discussion focused on t...

Audit: Council compliance with lobbyist ordinance improving - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · 13d

Audit: Council compliance with lobbyist ordinance improving
City Manager accepts audit recommendations for tracking lobbyist activities
theaustinbulldog.org/audit-counci...

Austin City Code requires that information about individuals who lobby to influence decisions made by the City of Austin be recorded, publicly available, and regularly disclosed. “Austin City Code dir...

Appraisal district to sue Tesla - The Austin Bulldog

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Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Aug 22

Appraisal district to sue Tesla
Board of directors authorize litigation to contest the property value of carmaker’s Gigafactory
theaustinbulldog.org/appraisal-di...

The Travis Central Appraisal District’s Board of Directors voted Thursday to authorize the chief appraiser to appeal the valuation of property owned by Colorado River Project LLC, a Tesla subsidiary. ...

Appraisal District adopts $34.1 million budget - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Aug 15

Appraisal district adopts $34.1 million budget

The board of directors of Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) voted unanimously to approve a budget for 2026 totaling $34,160,980. That’s an increase of $1,919,628 more than the current year’s budget.
theaustinbulldog.org/appraisal-di...

On Wednesday the board of directors of Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) voted unanimously to approve a budget for 2026 totaling $34,160,980. That’s an increase of $1,919,628 more than the curr...

Lost Creek residents win exemption from Austin property taxes - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Jul 21

Lost Creek residents win exemption from Austin property taxes
Court order saves property owners $7.8 million in future property taxes. Trial could win a $5.2 million refund
theaustinbulldog.org/lost-creek-r...

Travis County District Judge Catherine Mauzy last Thursday issued an order that bars the City of Austin from collecting taxes from Lost Creek property owners in 2025 and 2026. The court order resulte...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Jun 26

There are no ethical guardrails in this administration.

‘Charmin wipes out a forest’ premieres July 1st - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Jun 19

‘Charmin wipes out a forest’ premieres July 1st at Austin Film Society Cinema

In an old television ad, a man in a grocery store tells two women shoppers, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.” But the goal of a new documentary is precisely to squeeze Charmin.

theaustinbulldog.org/charmin-wipe...

In an old television ad, a man in a grocery store tells two women shoppers, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.” But the goal of a new documentary is precisely to squeeze Charmin. The tactic is to cre...

205,000 property value protests filed - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Jun 13

Chief Appraiser Leana Mann told the board of Travis Central Appraisal District that property owners and agents had filed 205,000 protests this year. The district plans to resolve these protests and hit its target to certify the appraisal rolls by July 18th.

theaustinbulldog.org/205000-prope...

Leana Mann, chief appraiser of the Travis Central Appraisal District, told the board of directors Thursday that property owners and agents filed 205,000 protests this year, rounding up from the 204,86...

Former President Bill Clinton welcomes 38 new U.S. citizens in naturalization ceremony | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Jun 10

Former President Bill Clinton delivered an impassioned speech to 38 men and women who completed naturalization to become U.S. citizens. I was brought to tears as he talked about our country's need for immigrants, in contrast to current actions to deport them. www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/ju...

The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Arkansas welcomed 38 new U.S. citizens Monday during a naturalization ceremony at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center.

www.arkansasonline.com

Profile: Doug Greco for mayor - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Jun 3

Doug Greco, who ran for Austin mayor in 2024 and placed fifth with 4.8% of the votes, is now running for chair of the Travis County Democratic Party. The election is June 21st. The Bulldog profiled Greco at theaustinbulldog.org/profile-doug...

Douglas Jeffrey Greco, 53, is one of four candidates (so far) who’s campaigning to be Austin’s mayor in 2025. Greco trying to unseat incumbent Mayor Kirk Preston Watson, 66, who raised and spent $2 mi...

150,000 property value protests filed - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · May 14

150,000 property value protests filed
Travis County property owners have filed some 150,000 protests of property valuations so far this year.The district plans to... theaustinbulldog.org/150000-prope...

Travis County property owners have filed some 150,000 protests of property valuations so far this year, Chief Appraiser Leana Mann told the board of Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) in today’s...

A tribute to John Thornton, venture capitalist and local journalism pioneer - American Journalism Project

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 30

The Austin Bulldog has been unleashing truth in our community. We’ve exposed corruption, influenced policy, and kept our local government accountable. But our work isn’t done—we need your support more than ever. Donate now.

the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 29

We’ve been the trusted independent voice for government accountability in our region, known for in-depth coverage of local elections and government agencies. We’re asking for your support to ensure we can continue this crucial work. Donate now.
the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 23

The Austin Bulldog is the city’s tireless watchdog, sniffing out corruption, exposing mismanagement, and keeping our local government honest. As we celebrate this milestone, help keep our investigative engine running. Donate now.

the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 15

We’ve unearthed stories others missed, exposed wrongdoings that would have remained hidden and brought to light issues that shape our city’s future. We’re asking for your help to dig even deeper. Donate now.
the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 7

For 15 years, The Austin Bulldog has been barking loudly (and biting) for accountability in our local government.Now, as we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we’re calling on you to join our pack.

Donate now.

the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 1

Sad news indeed. Co-founder American Journalism Project and Texas Tribune. www.theajp.org/news-insight...

www.theajp.org

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Apr 1

For 15 years, The Austin Bulldog has exposed corruption, influenced policy, and kept our local government accountable. But our work isn’t done. As we celebrate this milestone, we need your support more than ever. Donate now.

the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Mar 31

Records they don’t want you to see
Local governments require public officials to file a wide range of personal information. We want to trust. But we need to verify. Our Government Accountability Project (GAP) provides the means to do that. Pick a target and see for yourself: theaustinbulldog.org/gap

Government Accountability Project - The Austin Bulldog

You have a right to know. We make it easy. State laws and local statutes require public officials to file a variety of records about themselves. The Texas Public Information Act makes these records pu...

‘Rising star’ Austin manager candidate flaming out in KC - The Austin Bulldog

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Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Mar 18

‘Rising star’ Austin manager candidate flaming out in KC
Brian Platt, who opted to stay in Kansas City, just cost that city nearly $1 million, plus attorney fees of at least $700,000, with more lawsuits pending.
theaustinbulldog.org/rising-star-...

The City of Austin may have dodged a bullet in not hiring Brian Platt as city manager. The Bulldog reported in March 2024 that Brian Platt, city manager of Kansas City, Missouri, had dropped out after...

Thousands of homeowners to lose homestead exemptions - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Mar 17

Thousands of homeowners to lose homestead exemptions
But they will have a chance to reapply and regain exemption if qualified
theaustinbulldog.org/thousands-of...

Chief Appraiser Leana Mann told the Board of Directors of Travis Central Appraisal District yesterday that 2,593 homeowners will lose their homestead exemptions. That’s a result of the audit underway ...

‘The Magic Hole’ slams spending for new convention center - The Austin Bulldog

Ken Martin @bulldogken.bsky.social · Mar 3

‘The Magic Hole’ slams spending for new convention center
‘Convention Center Follies’ author calls billion-dollar spending sprees by cities competing for convention center business ‘jaw-droppingly stupid.’
theaustinbulldog.org/the-magic-ho...

Key points in this article: The theatre was full at the Austin Film Society cinema last Monday evening as director Steve Mims presented his new documentary project The Magic Hole: An Austin Convention...