New faces at the Capitol: what Austin's City Hall has already asked the 2027 Legislature for

Austin's City Hall will face a different Capitol in January. Democrats will lead the governor's office and the Texas House, while Republicans keep control of the state Senate, according to a Texas Newsroom report published by KUT Thursday. Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa and Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin both won Tuesday.

That matters for residents because state law sets the limits on much of what the city can do, from property tax rates to zoning, policing and utility rules. The council has already told lawmakers what it wants. Its 2027 state legislative program was adopted months before the election.

What experts told the Texas Newsroom

• Both chambers still have to agree. Repealing the state's school voucher program or expanding Medicaid would need bills to pass the House and the Senate. "They got really good outcomes on election night, but not so much that they can do anything that they want," a University of Houston political scientist said.
• The governor's veto. Hinojosa will be able to veto bills and individual budget items. That cannot overturn existing laws, but it could give her leverage in negotiations.
• Possible common ground. Experts pointed to property tax relief, THC regulation and data centers. Both Hinojosa and Abbott have called for protecting Texans from higher electricity costs tied to data centers and for ending data center tax breaks, the report said.
• Senate rules. Quorum Report previously reported that Senate Republicans were considering limits on the lieutenant governor's powers if Goodwin won. The Texas Newsroom said it had not confirmed that, and no changes have been adopted.

What our records add

The city's wish list. On July 23, the council adopted the city's State Legislative Priorities for the 90th Session on consent, 10-0, with one member absent. The one-page program from Austin Government Relations asks the Legislature to:

• Preserve local authority over land use and incentives for affordable housing, and keep the city's economic development tools;
• Protect financing tools the city uses to save money on projects;
• Strengthen crisis response for mental health, homelessness and public safety, including emergency mental health holds and step-down housing and state supported living centers;
• Support first responders, including covered line-of-duty illnesses;
• Protect city-owned utilities and fund mobility infrastructure;
• Support climate and disaster resilience and the city's 100-year water plan;
• Promote responsible use of autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence, with data privacy;
• Fund public health and community resources such as parks, libraries and animal shelters.

The mental health bills. In October, city staff listed seven bills and budget riders they plan to seek for the No Wrong Door crisis initiative, including psychiatric bed availability and homelessness data sharing. Our Oct. 28 story has the list.

Data centers. The issue experts named as possible common ground is already on the city's calendar. Staff plan to bring the city's first data center rules to the council on Dec. 3, as we reported.

THC and hemp. The city has its own questions about hemp shops near schools. Our Oct. 30 story explains how state rules limit what Austin can do.

What's next

• January: The Legislature convenes, and the new council is seated with three members chosen in the Dec. 12 runoffs.
• Dec. 3: The council's data center vote.
• The House must also choose a new speaker. Houston Rep. Senfronia Thompson announced her candidacy Tuesday night, the Texas Newsroom reported.