To view our videos, you need to enable JavaScript. Learn how. install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now. Then come back here and refresh the page. <\/p>\n
Council Member Mike Martinez suggested increasing the package to $400 million, while trying to work around Mayor Lee Leffingwell's reluctance to raise taxes. <\/p>\n
Leffingwell says he is hesitant to increase the size of the bond package because the council has already approved rate increases for electricity, water and natural gas service, among others. <\/p>\n
The mayor also supports State Sen. Kirk Watson's push to establish a medical school at the University of Texas, and to build a new, state-of-the-art research hospital. <\/p>\n
\"Realizing that it is such a high priority for our city and for our region, I think it's very appropriate for other jurisdictions to keep in mind that we have to respect that request too,\" Leffingwell said. <\/p>\n
Sen. Watson says his law firm is not at all involved in the efforts to bring a medical school to the University of Texas, but voters need to be educated about the benefits higher taxes will bring. <\/p>\n
\"They are going to want to create 15,000 jobs and $2 billion in economic activity, Sen. Watson said. They are going to want to take care of the indigent population, so they save money because people aren't at the emergency room.\" <\/p>\n
However, it all still comes with a price tag. Travis County voters would pick up about 10 percent of the tab, or $35 million a year. That would cost the average Austin area homeowner about $88 more a year in property taxes. <\/p>\n
\"For every dollar of local money we put up, the federal government will match it with $1.46,\" Watson said. <\/p>\n
Leffingwell expects Austin's bond package to be broken up into about seven partsincluding transportation, affordable housing and parks. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Go here to see the original: To view our videos, you need to enable JavaScript. Learn how. Continue reading
\nCity weighs taxpayer burden of medical school, bond package<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"