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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We’re halfway to our campaign goal! Every dollar keeps us asking tough questions about contracts, ethics, and accountability.

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December 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Austin United Political Action Committee has filed suit against the City of Austin, saying City Clerk Erika Brady wrongly disqualified signatures of registered voters on their petition for an election on the Convention Center, causing the petition to fail.
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Lawsuit challenges rejection of Convention Center petition - The Austin Bulldog
The Austin United Political Action Committee and several of its members have filed suit against the City of Austin, saying that City Clerk Erika Brady wrongly disqualified signatures of registered vot...
theaustinbulldog.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The Board of Directors of TCAD meeting held December 11th started with a sentimental farewell to one board member and ended with a cryptic discussion of a recent setback in litigation before the Texas Supreme Court.
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Appraisal district board headed for member turnover - The Austin Bulldog
The Board of Directors of Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD) meeting held December 11th started with a sentimental farewell to one board member and ended with a cryptic discussion of a recent se...
theaustinbulldog.org
December 12, 2025 at 11:03 PM
As the local union for city and county employees, AFSCME Local 1624, is getting ready for what could be a difficult battle over possible job cuts and departmental consolidation as a result of expected budget cuts.
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Union election marred by complaints - The Austin Bulldog
As the local union for city and county employees, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME Local 1624, is getting ready for what could be a difficult battle over possible j...
theaustinbulldog.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
When no one else was asking questions, The Austin Bulldog was uncovering sheriff partnerships with ICE and tracking corporate tax breaks.

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December 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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Join | The Austin Bulldog
The Austin Bulldog is supported by people like you. Support The Austin Bulldog today.
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December 2, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The Austin Bulldog is powered by readers, not advertisers. Your support fuels the kind of journalism Austin can’t afford to lose. Your giving is amplified into a 3X match by Raymond Gray, Gray Winston & Hart and the INN NewsMatch. Donate now: the-austin-bulldog.fundjournalism.org/bulldog-supp...
December 2, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Our Reporting Forced Austin to Confront Its Problems
Investigative journalism takes time, tenacity, and your support.
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November 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Leadership of Travis Democrats at stake
In deep-blue Travis County where Democrats have a solid lock on most every local elected office, the person who chairs the Travis County Democratic Party carries heavy responsibilities but earns no paycheck.
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Leadership of Travis Democrats at stake - The Austin Bulldog
In deep-blue Travis County where Democrats have a solid lock on most every local elected office, the person who chairs the Travis County Democratic Party carries heavy responsibilities but earns no pa...
theaustinbulldog.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
We Went to Court — And Won. Twice.
We fought for your right to public records and won access to the truth. This takes time, funds, and conviction.
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November 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
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.
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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
The Power of One Investigation
When no one else was asking questions, The Austin Bulldog was.
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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.

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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).
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

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‘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.

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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