City presents draft 2027 state and federal legislative priorities, including housing vouchers and crisis response
May 26, 2026 | Austin, Travis County, Texas
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City legislative director Carrie Rogers briefed the council May 26 on draft state and federal legislative priorities for 2027, describing seven strategic themes intended to guide the city's advocacy.
The draft program emphasizes responsible use of taxpayer dollars, housing access and affordability (including pursuing additional FYI vouchers), mental‑health crisis response and homelessness services, public infrastructure and public health and quality‑of‑life investments.
Rogers told council the priorities were developed after stakeholder outreach and a legislative review. "We broke these out into seven strategic themes," she said, describing a "legislative lens" that considers political environment, council priorities and the history of items in prior sessions.
On housing, Rogers said city staff have been working with federal partners to secure supportive vouchers and urged state appropriations for the services needed to make the vouchers effective. On mental health Rogers said the city is pushing for stronger crisis response and for a transitional or step‑down facility; she noted the city has no public mental‑health facility.
Council members asked staff about autonomous vehicles, FYI voucher mechanics and pending state bills on EMS mental‑health holds. Rogers said staff will return testimony and materials for council review and that the priorities will be brought to the July 23 council agenda for planned action.
Next steps: staff will incorporate council feedback, circulate draft priority materials and report back for formal action in July.
The draft program emphasizes responsible use of taxpayer dollars, housing access and affordability (including pursuing additional FYI vouchers), mental‑health crisis response and homelessness services, public infrastructure and public health and quality‑of‑life investments.
Rogers told council the priorities were developed after stakeholder outreach and a legislative review. "We broke these out into seven strategic themes," she said, describing a "legislative lens" that considers political environment, council priorities and the history of items in prior sessions.
On housing, Rogers said city staff have been working with federal partners to secure supportive vouchers and urged state appropriations for the services needed to make the vouchers effective. On mental health Rogers said the city is pushing for stronger crisis response and for a transitional or step‑down facility; she noted the city has no public mental‑health facility.
Council members asked staff about autonomous vehicles, FYI voucher mechanics and pending state bills on EMS mental‑health holds. Rogers said staff will return testimony and materials for council review and that the priorities will be brought to the July 23 council agenda for planned action.
Next steps: staff will incorporate council feedback, circulate draft priority materials and report back for formal action in July.
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