Austin Animal Center Achieves 90 Percent Live Outcome Rate
The Austin Animal Center put down 10 percent of animals in May, achieving a 90 percent live outcome rate. That is up two percent from this time last year, but down one percent from April.
The shelter took in more than 2,237 animals last month, including hundreds of kittens. The shelter expects to be just as busy this month.
More than 1,800 animals left the shelter in May. They were either adopted, transferred, returned to their owner or put down. The shelter opened in November of last year and already has a history of overcrowding.
Texas House Ways and Means Committee Reviews Margins Tax
The Texas House Ways & Means Committee is looking at the margins tax today. The margins tax, also known as the franchise tax, was part of legislation that was supposed to reduce property taxes. But it’s drawn fire from both liberals and conservatives alike.
Democratic lawmakers claim the tax underperforms, while corporations claim it taxes them to a disproportionate degree. Lawmakers want to figure out how to make the tax less complicated and more profitable for the state.
The Ways & Means Committee is where tax bills originate and decisions made within the committee could go on to the full Texas Legislature when they meet again next year.
Oklahoma City Thunder Roll Ahead of San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference Final
The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of going to the NBA finals after beating the San Antonio Spurs 108-103 in Game 5 Monday night. Kevin Durant scored 27 points and Russell Westbrook added 23 more as the Thunder took a 3-2 lead in this year’s Western Conference final.
While the series began with the Spurs riding a 20-win streak, the Thunder have now won three games in a row, putting the Spurs on the verge of a stunning collapse.
Manu Ginobili scored 34 in his return to the starting lineup, but missed a potential game-tying shot in the final seconds.
Game 6 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have yet to lose a game at home during the postseason.
