Budget update
On Aug. 10, the Dallas City Council received the city manager's proposed, balanced budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Although there is no proposed tax rate increase, I am concerned about the proposed increase in water and storm water rates. This week at annmargolin.com, I explain the structure of the budget and why cuts in some areas will be deep. Take a look...

Remember: Budget Town Hall Meeting on Sept. 1
We have many opportunities to work together until this difficult budget stretch passes. Each of us — with our neighborhood associations, crime watch groups and other organizations — can help keep our communities from feeling the pinch. Learn more at the budget town hall meeting, 7 p.m., Tues., Sept. 1 at the Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway Rd.

Transparency at Dallas City Hall
The Dallas Morning News states that "Dallas' less-than-transparent approach to lobbyists enables them to work under the radar without disclosing who is paying them." Four other council members and I are pushing for a lobbyist registration system "in order to ensure transparent, open government, and discourage even the appearance of impropriety." Read our memo.

Super Recycling Summer Roundup
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 29, Dallas' Sanitation Services Dept. hosts an opportunity for us all to recycle everything from furniture and e-waste (like old cell phones and computers) to clothing and even building materials. Two of the four recycling locations will also provide super-shredding for unneeded paper files. Here are the details.

Daytime juvenile curfew underway
The Dallas Police Dept. is now enforcing a daytime juvenile curfew. Passed by city council prior to my inauguration, I believe the ordinance is unnecessary and overly intrusive. However, it is in effect. It prohibits students under age 17 from being in public places or businesses between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. when school is in session. Learn more about the curfew.