Budget Surprise Sparks Social Services Debate | Texas News

Texas News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 6, 2026 · 1m

Austin’s budget crisis just got a wild twist: after threatening to slash $5 million from social services, city leaders found $4.7 million in unexpected property tax revenue—just in time to reignite debate. An audit revealed nonprofits missed performance goals but still got paid, fueling the cuts. Now, council members are split—some want to restore social services, others push for housing vouchers, and skeptics want to hold back funds until contracts prove effective. With the mayor proposing a compromise that blends both, the council has until this week to decide how to spend the windfall—and…