Ken Martin
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Ken Martin
@bulldogken.bsky.social
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Investigative journalist at theaustinbulldog.org, investigative reporting in the public interest covering local government agencies in Austin, Texas
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The City of Austin has lost three lawsuits centerering on its failure to provide required information when posting notices of council meetings. Now comes another challenge that warns that the notice of action on a revised City budget is deficient.
theaustinbulldog.org/lawyers-call...
Lawyers call Austin Council’s budget meeting notice illegal - The Austin Bulldog
Attorneys Bill Aleshire and Rick Fine have warned the city of Austin that the notice of tomorrow’s City Council meeting does not comply with the Texas Open Meetings Act. In a letter delivered earlier ...
theaustinbulldog.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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November 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Travis County property owners filed suit Wednesday against members of the Travis County Commissioners Court, saying the group exceeded their authority by voting to set the county tax rate in excess of the amount needed to address the July 4 flooding disaster.

theaustinbulldog.org/property-own...
Property owners sue over Travis County tax hike - The Austin Bulldog
Two Travis County property owners filed suit Wednesday against members of the Travis County Commissioners Court, saying the group exceeded their authority when they voted to set the county tax rate in...
theaustinbulldog.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Austin deserves the truth.

The Austin Bulldog holds local power accountable — exposing what’s buried in bureaucracy. We run on community support, not ads or influence. Your donation keeps Austin’s watchdog free and fearless.
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November 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The City Auditor’s Office has released an Investigative Report accusing Nico Hauwert, probably the best- known geoscientist in Central Texas, of misusing city resources and committing fraud when he was program manager of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve (BCP).
theaustinbulldog.org/environmenta...
Environmentalists rally to Hauwert’s defense - The Austin Bulldog
The City Auditor’s Office has released an Investigative Report accusing Nico Hauwert, probably the best- known geoscientist in Central Texas, of misusing city resources and committing fraud when he wa...
theaustinbulldog.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Jennings-Doyle was making $170,000 as chief appraiser of Montgomery Central Appraisal District. The board voted unanimously to terminate her employment immediately. Three days later, Travis Central Appraisal District issued Jennings-Doyle a stunning job offer.
theaustinbulldog.org/appraisal-di...
Appraisal district hired problematic employee - The Austin Bulldog
Janet Marie Jennings-Doyle was making $170,000 a year as chief appraiser of Montgomery Central Appraisal District. On April 30, 2024—after less than a year in that job—the board of directors voted una...
theaustinbulldog.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Appraisal district targeting aircraft taxes
Pilot test pinpointed six aircraft that eluded property taxes for years

For aircraft based in Travis County, dodging taxation going forward is going to be more difficult.
theaustinbulldog.org/appraisal-di...
Appraisal district targeting aircraft taxes - The Austin Bulldog
Aircraft owners have used numerous evasive tactics to avoid their legal obligation to pay Texas property taxes when planes are used for business purposes. For example, owners may register their aircra...
theaustinbulldog.org
October 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
New law forces sheriffs to help ICE
Senate Bill 8 goes into effect January 1st
theaustinbulldog.org/new-law-forc...
New law forces sheriffs to help ICE - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
October 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Open government advocates gather in Austin
Annual conference hosted by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
theaustinbulldog.org/open-governm...
Open government advocates gather in Austin - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Audit: Council compliance with lobbyist ordinance improving
City Manager accepts audit recommendations for tracking lobbyist activities
theaustinbulldog.org/audit-counci...
Audit: Council compliance with lobbyist ordinance improving - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
September 27, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Appraisal district to sue Tesla
Board of directors authorize litigation to contest the property value of carmaker’s Gigafactory
theaustinbulldog.org/appraisal-di...
Appraisal district to sue Tesla - The Austin Bulldog
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. ...
theaustinbulldog.org
August 22, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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...
Appraisal District adopts $34.1 million budget - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
August 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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...
Lost Creek residents win exemption from Austin property taxes - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
July 21, 2025 at 2:12 PM
‘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...
‘Charmin wipes out a forest’ premieres July 1st - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
June 19, 2025 at 7:33 PM
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...
205,000 property value protests filed - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
June 13, 2025 at 6:25 PM
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...
Former President Bill Clinton welcomes 38 new U.S. citizens in naturalization ceremony | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
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
June 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
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...
Profile: Doug Greco for mayor - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
June 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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...
150,000 property value protests filed - The Austin Bulldog
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...
theaustinbulldog.org
May 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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.

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April 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
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April 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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.

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April 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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.
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April 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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.

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April 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Sad news indeed. Co-founder American Journalism Project and Texas Tribune. www.theajp.org/news-insight...
A tribute to John Thornton, venture capitalist and local journalism pioneer - American Journalism Project
www.theajp.org
April 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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...
April 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM