James Hartley
Government Accountability Reporter, ArlingtonJames Hartley is an award winning journalist reporting on Arlington Government Accountability for KERA. A North Texas native, Hartley has covered stories across the region since 2019. He's passionate about true stories, understated movies, house music and good tea.
-
Governor touts Texas tax policies as business friendly before ringing NYSE closing bell in ArlingtonGov. Greg Abbott bragged that state financial policies make Texas more business friendly at a ceremonial closing bell celebrating NYSE Texas. -
More than 30 Arlington residents met at the police South District Service Center to learn more and ask questions about the proposed tax rate increase Thursday. Another town hall will be held Aug. 21. -
The 3-cent increase would be enough for the city to close a projected deficit and brace for more property tax challenges in 2027. -
The city says paying off the bond early saved Arlington around $150 million in interest and fees. -
Increasing the tax rate by about 3 cents per $100 of valuation would prevent the need to terminate employees, eliminate cost of living wages and reduce employee benefits. -
A tax increase could help the city close the $25 million budget gap projected for 2026 without making cuts that would negative impact police and firefighters. -
The reduced adoption fee — normally $100 for dogs and $90 for cats — is part of the nationwide Clear the Shelters event running Friday through Aug. 23. -
The law goes into effect in September, allowing developers to build multifamily housing in any commercially zoned parts of the city. It weakens the city's ability to regulate new developments. -
The federal taxes are from 2015 and 2019, according to a notice of lien. Two Arlington council members told KERA News the mayor's personal finances haven't impacted his work as a city leader. -
The cemetery, with headstones bearing significant names like Collins and Ditto, will begin selling plots for the first time in 3 decades. Anybody who already owns a plot will need to claim it by August 31 or they will be declared abandoned. -
The city needs to either find or cut at least $2.3 million more to fully close the gap. Even then, the city council would need to pull millions from the reserve fund. -
Lawmakers are expected to hold a special session next month to set new regulations on the state's multi-billion dollar hemp industry.
