1 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:11,359 Open enrollment for insurance plans 2 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:12,519 purchased through the Affordable 3 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:14,339 Care Act marketplace started this 4 00:00:14,340 --> 00:00:16,199 month. Millions of Texans currently 5 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,219 use a marketplace plan. 6 00:00:18,220 --> 00:00:19,459 And here in Austin, folks are 7 00:00:19,460 --> 00:00:21,639 navigating a bit of uncertainty amid 8 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:22,819 their enrollment. 9 00:00:22,820 --> 00:00:23,759 We've got that. 10 00:00:23,760 --> 00:00:25,439 Plus, state officials finally 11 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,159 released a horde of documents and 12 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:28,799 emails between Elon Musk and 13 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:30,559 Governor Greg Abbott's office. 14 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:32,039 More than a thousand pages were 15 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:33,979 included, but a majority of the 16 00:00:33,980 --> 00:00:35,439 information within the He just was 17 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:36,999 blacked out and redacted. 18 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:38,779 We've got more about the files and 19 00:00:38,780 --> 00:00:40,579 the story from the Texas newsroom 20 00:00:40,580 --> 00:00:41,969 that is coming up. 21 00:00:41,970 --> 00:00:43,849 The Austin Signal is a production 22 00:00:43,850 --> 00:00:45,949 of KUT News, hosted by 23 00:00:45,950 --> 00:00:46,939 Jerry Quijano. 24 00:00:46,940 --> 00:00:48,599 And the Paramount and State Theaters 25 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,599 in downtown Austin are raising funds 26 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:52,539 for a major restoration. 27 00:00:52,540 --> 00:00:54,019 Come hear the ideas they've got 28 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:55,759 planned for the future. 29 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:57,979 That's next here on Austin 30 00:00:57,980 --> 00:00:58,980 Signal. 31 00:01:08,510 --> 00:01:10,349 Howdy, this is Austin 32 00:01:10,350 --> 00:01:11,689 Signal, I'm Jerry E. 33 00:01:11,690 --> 00:01:13,269 Connell. Thank you for being with us 34 00:01:13,270 --> 00:01:15,729 today. It's Thursday, November 20th, 35 00:01:15,730 --> 00:01:17,129 and it's shaping up to be a rainy 36 00:01:17,130 --> 00:01:19,489 one here in central Texas. 37 00:01:19,490 --> 00:01:21,109 Travis Hayes and Williamson Counties 38 00:01:21,110 --> 00:01:22,609 are currently under a flood watch 39 00:01:22,610 --> 00:01:25,149 until Friday morning at 6 o'clock. 40 00:01:25,150 --> 00:01:26,369 So have a few ways of staying 41 00:01:26,370 --> 00:01:27,629 weather aware. 42 00:01:27,630 --> 00:01:29,589 You know this Texas weather loves to 43 00:01:29,590 --> 00:01:31,759 turn on a dime. 44 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:33,319 A few quick headlines for you today. 45 00:01:33,320 --> 00:01:34,499 The Austin Independent School 46 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:36,239 District Board of Trustees will vote 47 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,059 tonight on a highly contested plan 48 00:01:38,060 --> 00:01:39,999 to close 10 schools and make several 49 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,719 major programming changes ahead of 50 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:42,999 the next school year. 51 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,219 The district says the plan will 52 00:01:44,220 --> 00:01:46,259 generate $20 million in savings 53 00:01:46,260 --> 00:01:47,739 if it passes. 54 00:01:47,740 --> 00:01:49,919 The board meeting starts at 6 p.m. 55 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:51,659 And the Austin City Council could 56 00:01:51,660 --> 00:01:53,659 vote as soon as today on a new 57 00:01:53,660 --> 00:01:55,199 smaller city budget. 58 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:56,799 Among the priorities for a number of 59 00:01:56,800 --> 00:01:59,239 council members are funding for EMS, 60 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,129 homelessness reduction, and mental 61 00:02:01,130 --> 00:02:02,769 health outreach teams. 62 00:02:04,210 --> 00:02:05,949 Open enrollment for insurance plans 63 00:02:05,950 --> 00:02:07,249 purchased through the Affordable 64 00:02:07,250 --> 00:02:09,008 Care Act marketplace began this 65 00:02:09,009 --> 00:02:10,929 month. Nearly four million Texans 66 00:02:10,930 --> 00:02:13,169 currently have a marketplace plan, 67 00:02:13,170 --> 00:02:14,449 but many of them are being 68 00:02:14,450 --> 00:02:16,389 confronted with higher premiums this 69 00:02:16,390 --> 00:02:17,209 year. 70 00:02:17,210 --> 00:02:19,049 KUT's Olivia Aldridge spoke with 71 00:02:19,050 --> 00:02:20,909 Austinites who are navigating this 72 00:02:20,910 --> 00:02:23,089 uncertain open enrollment season. 73 00:02:25,050 --> 00:02:26,349 Plans. 74 00:02:26,350 --> 00:02:27,709 At the Prosper Health Coverage 75 00:02:27,710 --> 00:02:29,689 Center off I-35 in South 76 00:02:29,690 --> 00:02:31,909 Austin, volunteers and specialists 77 00:02:31,910 --> 00:02:33,529 are busy manning the phones and 78 00:02:33,530 --> 00:02:35,149 meeting in person, with Texans 79 00:02:35,150 --> 00:02:36,529 looking for free assistance 80 00:02:36,530 --> 00:02:38,749 enrolling in health insurance. 81 00:02:38,750 --> 00:02:41,049 One of those clients is Brita Lee, 82 00:02:41,050 --> 00:02:42,489 who asked to use her first and 83 00:02:42,490 --> 00:02:44,629 middle name for privacy reasons. 84 00:02:44,630 --> 00:02:45,649 When she learned her current 85 00:02:45,650 --> 00:02:47,109 marketplace plan would be more 86 00:02:47,110 --> 00:02:48,989 expensive next year, she decided 87 00:02:48,990 --> 00:02:50,839 to shop for other options. 88 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:52,779 It meant that we had to scramble to 89 00:02:52,780 --> 00:02:54,619 find me a plan that even 90 00:02:54,620 --> 00:02:56,479 gives me close to the amount of 91 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:58,459 coverage I had before, which means 92 00:02:58,460 --> 00:03:00,219 half of my doctors I have now I 93 00:03:00,220 --> 00:03:02,419 won't be able to go to next year. 94 00:03:02,420 --> 00:03:04,199 She was able to find a plan she can 95 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,019 afford, but her monthly payment 96 00:03:06,020 --> 00:03:07,919 will still be higher this year. 97 00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:09,579 She says that means trimming an 98 00:03:09,580 --> 00:03:11,779 already tight household budget. 99 00:03:11,780 --> 00:03:13,239 Yeah, it just means like anything 100 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:14,619 fun that we want to do, it has to be 101 00:03:14,620 --> 00:03:16,899 free and we cannot travel at 102 00:03:16,900 --> 00:03:17,839 all. 103 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:19,179 Lee isn't alone. 104 00:03:19,180 --> 00:03:20,619 In states like Texas that use 105 00:03:20,620 --> 00:03:22,519 healthcare.gov, insurers are 106 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,399 charging around 30% more next 107 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:25,999 year. That's according to an 108 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,839 analysis from the nonpartisan health 109 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,659 policy organization, KFF. 110 00:03:30,660 --> 00:03:31,999 But that's not the only reason 111 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,359 people are seeing higher costs. 112 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,019 Certain federal subsidies that help 113 00:03:36,020 --> 00:03:38,399 offset premiums are expiring, 114 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:40,299 too. Most Americans, depending 115 00:03:40,300 --> 00:03:42,219 on their income, get what's called a 116 00:03:42,220 --> 00:03:43,679 premium tax credit. 117 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:45,579 Back in 2021, the Biden 118 00:03:45,580 --> 00:03:47,559 administration increased those tax 119 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:49,279 credits, giving a lot of poorer 120 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,259 households more support and giving 121 00:03:51,260 --> 00:03:53,099 some middle-income earners a subsidy 122 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:54,879 for the first time. 123 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:56,579 But that increase is set to go away 124 00:03:56,580 --> 00:03:57,829 in January. 125 00:03:57,830 --> 00:03:59,229 That means costs will more than 126 00:03:59,230 --> 00:04:01,449 double for many consumers. 127 00:04:01,450 --> 00:04:03,109 Erica Leos is the director of 128 00:04:03,110 --> 00:04:04,909 Prosper Programs at Foundation 129 00:04:04,910 --> 00:04:05,949 Communities. 130 00:04:05,950 --> 00:04:07,429 She's been fielding a lot of 131 00:04:07,430 --> 00:04:09,309 questions about these changes. 132 00:04:09,310 --> 00:04:11,449 People were worried and 133 00:04:11,450 --> 00:04:13,069 just had questions about, well, how 134 00:04:13,070 --> 00:04:15,049 does this affect my plan and my 135 00:04:15,050 --> 00:04:16,159 situation? Okay. 136 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,199 It depends on the person and the 137 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:19,099 household. 138 00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:20,679 Many will still get some amount of 139 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:22,739 federal support, but lower subsidies 140 00:04:22,740 --> 00:04:24,539 combined with higher costs from the 141 00:04:24,540 --> 00:04:26,199 insurer are a double whammy that 142 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:27,879 some families may struggle to 143 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:28,779 afford. 144 00:04:28,780 --> 00:04:30,639 Take Ashley Velasquez, a 145 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,419 self-employed nonprofit consultant 146 00:04:32,420 --> 00:04:33,699 in Austin. 147 00:04:33,700 --> 00:04:35,119 She would have to pay a thousand 148 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:36,739 more dollars a month to keep the 149 00:04:36,740 --> 00:04:38,119 same Blue Cross and Blue Shield 150 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,059 insurance plan next year for her 151 00:04:40,060 --> 00:04:41,359 family of five. 152 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:42,959 I don't see how we could do that. 153 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:44,729 It is more than our mortgage. 154 00:04:44,730 --> 00:04:46,189 Looking through the marketplace, 155 00:04:46,190 --> 00:04:47,689 Velazquez found that her primary 156 00:04:47,690 --> 00:04:49,229 care provider and her kid's 157 00:04:49,230 --> 00:04:51,189 pediatrician weren't in network with 158 00:04:51,190 --> 00:04:53,569 some of the lower cost plans. 159 00:04:53,570 --> 00:04:55,369 There are other trade-offs too. 160 00:04:55,370 --> 00:04:57,269 Lower premiums sometimes mean high 161 00:04:57,270 --> 00:04:58,889 deductibles and out-of-pocket 162 00:04:58,890 --> 00:04:59,949 maximums. 163 00:04:59,950 --> 00:05:01,169 So when you start looking at the 164 00:05:01,170 --> 00:05:02,889 total cost, it's really hard to 165 00:05:02,890 --> 00:05:04,589 compare like apples to apples. 166 00:05:04,590 --> 00:05:06,269 She's also considering a plan that 167 00:05:06,270 --> 00:05:08,229 would cost just shy of $1,000 168 00:05:08,230 --> 00:05:09,269 per month. 169 00:05:09,270 --> 00:05:11,169 That's about 200 more than she's 170 00:05:11,170 --> 00:05:12,829 used to, but she'd get similar 171 00:05:12,830 --> 00:05:15,039 benefits to what she currently has. 172 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:16,719 And peace of mind should one of her 173 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,699 three healthy kids get sick or 174 00:05:18,700 --> 00:05:20,659 hurt. If somebody falls 175 00:05:20,660 --> 00:05:21,079 off the m- 176 00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:22,959 bars and breaks an arm, we need to 177 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:24,899 be able to take them to the 178 00:05:24,900 --> 00:05:26,179 emergency room and know that they're 179 00:05:26,180 --> 00:05:27,999 going to get care that's going 180 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:29,769 to be covered by a health... 181 00:05:29,770 --> 00:05:31,149 There's still a chance Congress 182 00:05:31,150 --> 00:05:32,829 could vote to extend the enhanced 183 00:05:32,830 --> 00:05:34,789 tax credits in December. 184 00:05:34,790 --> 00:05:36,029 Getting that vote on the Senate 185 00:05:36,030 --> 00:05:37,269 docket was part of the deal 186 00:05:37,270 --> 00:05:39,009 Democrats made to end the federal 187 00:05:39,010 --> 00:05:40,869 government shutdown earlier this 188 00:05:40,870 --> 00:05:41,689 month. 189 00:05:41,690 --> 00:05:43,309 But many Republicans are still 190 00:05:43,310 --> 00:05:45,649 resistant, citing the estimated $350 191 00:05:45,650 --> 00:05:47,489 billion, the enhanced 192 00:05:47,490 --> 00:05:49,169 to tax credits, would cost the 193 00:05:49,170 --> 00:05:51,689 federal over the next decade. 194 00:05:51,690 --> 00:05:53,589 Heading into enrollment season, Leos 195 00:05:53,590 --> 00:05:54,929 was concerned that all this 196 00:05:54,930 --> 00:05:56,899 uncertainty at the federal level, 197 00:05:56,900 --> 00:05:58,839 result in a lot of folks forgoing 198 00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:01,339 health insurance altogether. 199 00:06:01,340 --> 00:06:03,519 Experts at Texas A&M have estimated 200 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:05,339 hundreds of thousands of Texans 201 00:06:05,340 --> 00:06:06,539 might do so. 202 00:06:06,540 --> 00:06:07,659 That was one of the things we were 203 00:06:07,660 --> 00:06:08,819 kind of worried about that people 204 00:06:08,820 --> 00:06:10,719 might choose either not to 205 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:12,799 enroll at all or decide 206 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:14,619 before even checking for prices 207 00:06:14,620 --> 00:06:15,599 and plans. 208 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:17,319 So far, she says most of her clients 209 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,379 at the Prosper Center are choosing a 210 00:06:19,380 --> 00:06:21,399 plan, even if their budget takes a 211 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:22,259 hit. 212 00:06:22,260 --> 00:06:24,079 Folks have until December 15th 213 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:25,179 to enroll for coverage. 214 00:06:25,180 --> 00:06:27,219 That begins January 1st. 215 00:06:27,220 --> 00:06:29,040 I'm Olivia Aldrich in Austin. 216 00:06:35,530 --> 00:06:37,589 After fighting to keep secret 217 00:06:37,590 --> 00:06:39,129 a trove of documents between 218 00:06:39,130 --> 00:06:41,089 Governor Greg Abbott's office and 219 00:06:41,090 --> 00:06:43,549 Elon Musk, state officials recently 220 00:06:43,550 --> 00:06:45,749 released some 1,400 221 00:06:45,750 --> 00:06:47,169 documents. 222 00:06:47,170 --> 00:06:49,069 But only about one in every 223 00:06:49,070 --> 00:06:50,949 seven pages actually had any 224 00:06:50,950 --> 00:06:52,529 kind of information that wasn't 225 00:06:52,530 --> 00:06:54,729 redacted or blacked out. 226 00:06:54,730 --> 00:06:56,589 This work, this record's 227 00:06:56,590 --> 00:06:58,129 request, is a collaboration between 228 00:06:58,130 --> 00:06:59,729 the Texas newsroom, the Texas 229 00:06:59,730 --> 00:07:01,669 Tribune, and ProPublica. 230 00:07:01,670 --> 00:07:03,449 Lauren Magahi is an investigative 231 00:07:03,450 --> 00:07:05,289 reporter and editor at the Texas 232 00:07:05,290 --> 00:07:06,909 Newsroom. She's with us now in 233 00:07:06,910 --> 00:07:08,379 Austin Signal. Hi, Lauren. 234 00:07:08,380 --> 00:07:09,089 Hey, how are you? 235 00:07:09,090 --> 00:07:10,229 I'm doing good, how are you? 236 00:07:10,230 --> 00:07:12,089 Good. We're glad to have you in 237 00:07:12,090 --> 00:07:13,509 the studio. 238 00:07:13,510 --> 00:07:14,929 So I want to start by saying these 239 00:07:14,930 --> 00:07:16,729 documents are the result of a public 240 00:07:16,730 --> 00:07:17,969 records request that was filed back 241 00:07:17,970 --> 00:07:18,949 in April. 242 00:07:18,950 --> 00:07:20,149 Take us back. Why were you all 243 00:07:20,150 --> 00:07:21,229 seeking out these documents in the 244 00:07:21,230 --> 00:07:21,839 first place? 245 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:22,619 Sure. 246 00:07:22,620 --> 00:07:23,859 You know, this was part of an effort 247 00:07:23,860 --> 00:07:25,939 to just better understand Elon 248 00:07:25,940 --> 00:07:28,119 Musk's influence in the Texas 249 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:29,979 Capitol. I feel like there was a lot 250 00:07:29,980 --> 00:07:31,739 of attention on Washington, D.C. 251 00:07:31,740 --> 00:07:33,599 With the Doge effort, but 252 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:35,299 not a lot people were looking here 253 00:07:35,300 --> 00:07:37,339 closer to home and he's moved 254 00:07:37,340 --> 00:07:38,879 most of his headquarters of his 255 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:40,179 businesses here into the Austin 256 00:07:40,180 --> 00:07:40,999 area. 257 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:42,579 We all know he has this big launch 258 00:07:42,580 --> 00:07:44,979 pad down near Brownsville and 259 00:07:44,980 --> 00:07:46,879 no one seemed to be looking at 260 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:48,839 the capital and what he was 261 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:50,809 trying to do there so We filed 262 00:07:50,810 --> 00:07:53,069 this to see what's his relationship 263 00:07:53,070 --> 00:07:54,289 like with the governor and the 264 00:07:54,290 --> 00:07:55,669 governor's office. 265 00:07:55,670 --> 00:07:57,609 And it seemed like a pretty easy 266 00:07:57,610 --> 00:07:59,009 question to answer at the time. 267 00:07:59,010 --> 00:08:01,409 It seems like it, but what did 268 00:08:01,410 --> 00:08:02,509 you encounter? What did you get 269 00:08:02,510 --> 00:08:03,309 back? 270 00:08:03,310 --> 00:08:05,429 Uh... Well it was a month months 271 00:08:05,430 --> 00:08:07,269 long saga took five months 272 00:08:07,270 --> 00:08:09,469 uh... Couple hundred dollars uh... 273 00:08:09,470 --> 00:08:10,909 For us to actually get to the end of 274 00:08:10,910 --> 00:08:12,869 this thing and we were 275 00:08:12,870 --> 00:08:14,249 taken to the a g so the governor 276 00:08:14,250 --> 00:08:15,729 didn't want to release these records 277 00:08:15,730 --> 00:08:17,609 he he had a lot of reasons why 278 00:08:17,610 --> 00:08:19,209 but he wants the attorney general 279 00:08:19,210 --> 00:08:21,409 who kind of referees these disputes 280 00:08:21,410 --> 00:08:23,369 and asked him to give him the 281 00:08:23,370 --> 00:08:24,929 permission to keep them all secret 282 00:08:24,930 --> 00:08:26,869 the attorney-general 283 00:08:26,870 --> 00:08:28,769 uh... Then took a couple of 284 00:08:28,770 --> 00:08:30,129 months and then issued this 285 00:08:30,130 --> 00:08:31,108 decision. 286 00:08:31,109 --> 00:08:32,989 That said, okay, you can keep 287 00:08:32,990 --> 00:08:35,109 some of this stuff secret, and 288 00:08:35,110 --> 00:08:36,569 then you have to release certain 289 00:08:36,570 --> 00:08:38,729 documents. And then we waited to 290 00:08:38,730 --> 00:08:40,249 see what we would get back, and we 291 00:08:40,250 --> 00:08:42,229 eventually got about 1,400 292 00:08:42,230 --> 00:08:44,109 pages from the governor's office 293 00:08:44,110 --> 00:08:46,089 that were emails either with Elon 294 00:08:46,090 --> 00:08:48,489 Musk or people from his companies. 295 00:08:48,490 --> 00:08:49,829 This might be a little bit in the 296 00:08:49,830 --> 00:08:51,269 weeds, but in the story, it's 297 00:08:51,270 --> 00:08:53,549 mentioned that you paid a $244 298 00:08:53,550 --> 00:08:54,829 check, I believe. 299 00:08:54,830 --> 00:08:55,929 Is that normal? 300 00:08:55,930 --> 00:08:57,390 For our listeners out there, you 301 00:08:57,391 --> 00:08:59,249 know, they know maybe about FOIAs 302 00:08:59,250 --> 00:09:00,369 and they know about public records 303 00:09:00,370 --> 00:09:01,889 requests. Is it normal that you have 304 00:09:01,890 --> 00:09:03,789 to pony up a little money to 305 00:09:03,790 --> 00:09:05,129 get the state to search out some of 306 00:09:05,130 --> 00:09:05,969 these documents. 307 00:09:05,970 --> 00:09:06,949 It depends. 308 00:09:06,950 --> 00:09:09,029 It's totally up to the agency you're 309 00:09:09,030 --> 00:09:10,589 asking. So like you could file a 310 00:09:10,590 --> 00:09:11,769 record request with any public 311 00:09:11,770 --> 00:09:12,969 entity, right? Like your city 312 00:09:12,970 --> 00:09:14,709 council person, your county 313 00:09:14,710 --> 00:09:15,609 commissioner. 314 00:09:15,610 --> 00:09:17,169 And if they think that they're gonna 315 00:09:17,170 --> 00:09:18,809 have to sink in significant staff 316 00:09:18,810 --> 00:09:20,769 time to either gather the records 317 00:09:20,770 --> 00:09:22,529 or redact the records, they can 318 00:09:22,530 --> 00:09:24,129 charge you if it's over a certain 319 00:09:24,130 --> 00:09:25,389 dollar amount. 320 00:09:25,390 --> 00:09:26,989 And what was unusual in this case, 321 00:09:26,990 --> 00:09:27,869 it's something that I'm seeing 322 00:09:27,870 --> 00:09:29,709 happen more and more, is 323 00:09:29,710 --> 00:09:31,289 they'll give you a cost estimate 324 00:09:31,290 --> 00:09:32,909 usually, and they'll say, hey, can 325 00:09:32,910 --> 00:09:34,349 you pay 50% of this? 326 00:09:34,350 --> 00:09:36,119 And then. Will produce the records, 327 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:37,539 and then maybe you have to pay the 328 00:09:37,540 --> 00:09:38,639 other 50%. 329 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:40,519 In this case, the governor's office 330 00:09:40,520 --> 00:09:42,639 asked for 100% payment 331 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,239 upfront. 332 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:46,339 So $244.64, 333 00:09:46,340 --> 00:09:47,599 I will not forget that, because it 334 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,259 came out of my checking account 335 00:09:49,260 --> 00:09:50,379 initially. 336 00:09:50,380 --> 00:09:52,199 And then they actually, after 337 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:53,679 the fact, said, you know what, we 338 00:09:53,680 --> 00:09:55,179 think these records are actually all 339 00:09:55,180 --> 00:09:56,539 private, and we're going to ask the 340 00:09:56,540 --> 00:09:58,459 attorney general to allow 341 00:09:58,460 --> 00:10:00,259 us to withhold them after they cash 342 00:10:00,260 --> 00:10:02,239 that check. So those two 343 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,259 things appear to be coming more 344 00:10:04,260 --> 00:10:06,099 of a pattern with agencies across 345 00:10:06,100 --> 00:10:08,179 the state asking for 100% 346 00:10:08,180 --> 00:10:10,219 payment upfront and then 347 00:10:10,220 --> 00:10:11,679 saying, okay, just kidding, we're 348 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:12,899 not gonna release any records at 349 00:10:12,900 --> 00:10:13,369 all. 350 00:10:13,370 --> 00:10:14,689 In the story, it's also noted that 351 00:10:14,690 --> 00:10:16,309 it seems to be becoming more common 352 00:10:16,310 --> 00:10:19,129 as well, the increasing 353 00:10:19,130 --> 00:10:20,669 difficulty that there is when it 354 00:10:20,670 --> 00:10:22,689 comes to accessing these sorts of 355 00:10:22,690 --> 00:10:24,049 documents. Why is that the case? 356 00:10:24,050 --> 00:10:26,029 Yeah, this is particularly 357 00:10:26,030 --> 00:10:27,889 difficult with records 358 00:10:27,890 --> 00:10:29,989 about government's interactions with 359 00:10:29,990 --> 00:10:31,249 private businesses. 360 00:10:31,250 --> 00:10:32,809 So we talked to some experts who 361 00:10:32,810 --> 00:10:33,849 said this is part of a pattern 362 00:10:33,850 --> 00:10:36,269 they've seen over the last 10 years, 363 00:10:36,270 --> 00:10:37,849 where it's getting harder and harder 364 00:10:37,850 --> 00:10:40,029 to get information from governmental 365 00:10:40,030 --> 00:10:41,969 entities about partnerships 366 00:10:41,970 --> 00:10:43,089 they're doing with with 367 00:10:43,090 --> 00:10:45,189 corporations, tax exemptions, 368 00:10:45,190 --> 00:10:46,189 all these kinds of things that 369 00:10:46,190 --> 00:10:48,189 involve public money, 370 00:10:48,190 --> 00:10:49,949 public projects, but a private 371 00:10:49,950 --> 00:10:50,849 Corporation. 372 00:10:50,850 --> 00:10:52,569 And that's because corporations have 373 00:10:52,570 --> 00:10:54,469 the right, as they should probably, 374 00:10:54,470 --> 00:10:56,409 right, to say, hey, we don't want 375 00:10:56,410 --> 00:10:58,249 some of this information 376 00:10:58,250 --> 00:10:59,609 out in the public domain. 377 00:10:59,610 --> 00:11:01,289 It may involve trade secrets, 378 00:11:01,290 --> 00:11:02,249 proprietary information. 379 00:11:02,250 --> 00:11:02,790 Under the guise of- 380 00:11:02,791 --> 00:11:03,539 Under the guise of competition. 381 00:11:03,540 --> 00:11:05,119 Right, competition. 382 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,459 But what is happening is they're 383 00:11:07,460 --> 00:11:09,119 seeking broader and broader 384 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:10,739 exemptions, more and more 385 00:11:10,740 --> 00:11:12,219 withholding of records. 386 00:11:12,220 --> 00:11:14,039 And some of that may relate to 387 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:15,979 money that is taxpayer money being 388 00:11:15,980 --> 00:11:17,859 spent in these projects. 389 00:11:17,860 --> 00:11:19,039 So it's becoming harder and harder 390 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:20,199 to get that, according to experts 391 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:21,859 and the experience of a lot of us 392 00:11:21,860 --> 00:11:23,399 that work in this space. 393 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,679 And we saw that with this 1,400 394 00:11:25,680 --> 00:11:27,939 pages we got from the governor's 395 00:11:27,940 --> 00:11:29,879 office. It wasn't really 396 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:31,279 1, 400 pages at the end of the day. 397 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:31,280 Was. 398 00:11:31,281 --> 00:11:33,019 It wasn't that much at all, right? 399 00:11:33,020 --> 00:11:34,499 No, I mean, there was only a couple 400 00:11:34,500 --> 00:11:35,979 hundred pages. So we got 1,400 401 00:11:35,980 --> 00:11:37,069 pages, took five months. 402 00:11:37,070 --> 00:11:38,790 You did actually get 1,400 pages. 403 00:11:38,791 --> 00:11:40,899 We got a PDF with about 404 00:11:40,900 --> 00:11:42,739 1,400 pages, 1,374 405 00:11:42,740 --> 00:11:44,039 pages. 406 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:45,919 And I was like, whoa, 407 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:47,199 that's a lot. 408 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:48,179 OK, cool. 409 00:11:48,180 --> 00:11:49,439 Let's see what's in here. 410 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:51,719 And I started scrolling, and 411 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:53,959 almost every page was completely 412 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:55,959 redacted. So totally blacked 413 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:57,799 out, not even one readable word on 414 00:11:57,800 --> 00:11:59,639 it. And there was a note at the 415 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:01,799 top of one of the pages that had 416 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:03,619 cited a state law about 417 00:12:03,620 --> 00:12:04,899 competition, saying, 418 00:12:05,980 --> 00:12:07,959 these pages are redacting because it 419 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:09,759 involves competition or bidding 420 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:11,099 information. 421 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:12,939 There were about 200 pages that were 422 00:12:12,940 --> 00:12:14,799 unredacted, but a lot of them were 423 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:16,599 like old corporate records that have 424 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:17,739 been out in the public domain for a 425 00:12:17,740 --> 00:12:18,539 long time. 426 00:12:18,540 --> 00:12:20,519 Some of them where public requests, 427 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:21,519 or public records requests, 428 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:23,479 including my own requests were 429 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:24,539 in there. 430 00:12:24,540 --> 00:12:26,359 And so the 200 pages we did 431 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:28,359 get didn't really give us, 432 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:29,799 didn't answer that question we had, 433 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:31,599 which is what is his influence, what 434 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:33,239 is Elon Musk's influence in the 435 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:34,259 state capitol and what is this 436 00:12:34,260 --> 00:12:35,539 relationship like with the governor 437 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:36,419 and the governor's office? 438 00:12:36,420 --> 00:12:37,919 Tweet. We weren't able to really 439 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:39,499 glean anything additionally from the 440 00:12:39,500 --> 00:12:39,979 records. 441 00:12:39,980 --> 00:12:41,339 Lauren, did you get any additional 442 00:12:41,340 --> 00:12:43,019 comment or information from Elon 443 00:12:43,020 --> 00:12:44,779 Musk or from Governor Greg Abbott's 444 00:12:44,780 --> 00:12:46,919 office about why these 445 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:48,969 documents were so redacted? 446 00:12:48,970 --> 00:12:50,909 We asked both of them for comment. 447 00:12:50,910 --> 00:12:52,209 Elon Musk and his representatives 448 00:12:52,210 --> 00:12:54,689 didn't respond to any of our emails. 449 00:12:54,690 --> 00:12:56,009 The governor did give us a statement 450 00:12:56,010 --> 00:12:58,649 and his 451 00:12:58,650 --> 00:13:00,709 spokesman said that the governor 452 00:13:00,710 --> 00:13:02,889 follows open records laws and 453 00:13:02,890 --> 00:13:04,509 he makes sure to release everything 454 00:13:04,510 --> 00:13:05,929 that isn't confidential. 455 00:13:05,930 --> 00:13:06,589 So stuck by it. 456 00:13:06,590 --> 00:13:07,909 So that leads me to my last question 457 00:13:07,910 --> 00:13:09,569 for you. Is there any recourse? 458 00:13:09,570 --> 00:13:10,909 You get 1,400 pages. 459 00:13:10,910 --> 00:13:12,769 You've already paid $244, but 460 00:13:12,770 --> 00:13:15,109 you really only have about 200 461 00:13:15,110 --> 00:13:17,209 pages worth of information. 462 00:13:17,210 --> 00:13:18,869 What steps can the Texas Newsroom, 463 00:13:18,870 --> 00:13:20,769 the Texas Review, and ProPublica, 464 00:13:20,770 --> 00:13:22,179 what happens next? 465 00:13:22,180 --> 00:13:24,159 So we asked the attorney general 466 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:26,299 to reconsider his 467 00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:28,119 decision in allowing 468 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:29,999 the number of documents that 469 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,339 he let the governor's office just 470 00:13:31,340 --> 00:13:32,559 completely withhold. 471 00:13:32,560 --> 00:13:33,859 So we said, hey, can you take 472 00:13:33,860 --> 00:13:35,199 another look at this decision you 473 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:37,019 made and make sure that all 474 00:13:37,020 --> 00:13:38,479 of these pages they wanna withhold 475 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,639 are actually proprietary 476 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:41,979 trade secrets, those kinds of 477 00:13:41,980 --> 00:13:42,939 things. 478 00:13:42,940 --> 00:13:45,119 Those requests are not usually 479 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:46,959 honored. They usually stick by their 480 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:48,779 decisions, but it's one of the 481 00:13:48,780 --> 00:13:49,989 only recourses. 482 00:13:49,990 --> 00:13:51,269 People that have a problem with an 483 00:13:51,270 --> 00:13:53,109 open records decision can also 484 00:13:53,110 --> 00:13:55,869 sue, but it's expensive. 485 00:13:55,870 --> 00:13:57,749 And again, you may not win and you 486 00:13:57,750 --> 00:13:58,989 might sink a lot of time and money 487 00:13:58,990 --> 00:13:59,929 into it. 488 00:13:59,930 --> 00:14:01,329 So right now we're just seeing what 489 00:14:01,330 --> 00:14:02,489 the attorney general is gonna say to 490 00:14:02,490 --> 00:14:03,379 our request. 491 00:14:03,380 --> 00:14:05,219 OK, this story is a collaboration 492 00:14:05,220 --> 00:14:06,839 between the Texas Newsroom, the 493 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:08,739 Texas Tribune, and ProPublica. 494 00:14:08,740 --> 00:14:10,039 You can read it right now at 495 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:11,699 kut.org. 496 00:14:11,700 --> 00:14:13,179 Lauren Magocchi is an investigative 497 00:14:13,180 --> 00:14:14,999 reporter and editor at the 498 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,079 Texas Newsroom. Lauren, thank you 499 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:17,080 for your time. You're welcome. 500 00:14:23,210 --> 00:14:24,829 Thank you out there for spending 501 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:27,029 part of your Thursday here 502 00:14:27,030 --> 00:14:28,969 with Austin signal We are 503 00:14:28,970 --> 00:14:31,169 listener-powered public radio and 504 00:14:31,170 --> 00:14:32,529 in case you want to catch up on any 505 00:14:32,530 --> 00:14:33,949 of the episodes you might have 506 00:14:33,950 --> 00:14:35,989 missed this week Or so far from the 507 00:14:35,990 --> 00:14:37,769 show head on over to 508 00:14:39,110 --> 00:14:40,110 cut.org 509 00:14:41,150 --> 00:14:42,429 Signal coming up. 510 00:14:42,430 --> 00:14:44,109 We're going to talk renovations at 511 00:14:44,110 --> 00:14:45,929 the Paramount and State Theaters 512 00:14:45,930 --> 00:14:47,969 in downtown Austin should 513 00:14:47,970 --> 00:14:49,469 be a very fun conversation. 514 00:14:49,470 --> 00:14:50,949 We'll be back in a moment, and we'll 515 00:14:50,950 --> 00:14:51,950 talk to you then 516 00:14:58,710 --> 00:15:00,589 This is Austin Signal, 517 00:15:00,590 --> 00:15:02,029 here on listener-powered public 518 00:15:02,030 --> 00:15:03,889 radio KUT News, thank you for 519 00:15:03,890 --> 00:15:05,449 spending part of your day here with 520 00:15:05,450 --> 00:15:06,249 us. 521 00:15:06,250 --> 00:15:07,609 The Paramount Theater launched a 522 00:15:07,610 --> 00:15:08,969 campaign this week to raise money 523 00:15:08,970 --> 00:15:10,509 for a restoration of the 524 00:15:10,510 --> 00:15:13,029 110-year-old building. 525 00:15:13,030 --> 00:15:14,429 The Paramound is listed on the 526 00:15:14,430 --> 00:15:16,049 National Register of Historic Places 527 00:15:16,050 --> 00:15:18,129 and is only one of 20 theaters 528 00:15:18,130 --> 00:15:19,749 in the U.S. That is more than 100 529 00:15:19,750 --> 00:15:22,369 years old and still operating. 530 00:15:22,370 --> 00:15:23,669 Hmm, you know, I think I heard that 531 00:15:23,670 --> 00:15:24,609 fact during an A.T. 532 00:15:24,610 --> 00:15:26,029 Live show. 533 00:15:26,030 --> 00:15:27,549 I wonder who did that story. 534 00:15:27,550 --> 00:15:29,489 There are also plans for a 535 00:15:29,490 --> 00:15:31,869 re-imagining of the state theater 536 00:15:31,870 --> 00:15:33,089 next door. 537 00:15:33,090 --> 00:15:35,029 Jim Ritz is CEO of the 538 00:15:35,030 --> 00:15:36,269 Austin Theater Alliance, the 539 00:15:36,270 --> 00:15:38,189 nonprofit that operates both venues. 540 00:15:38,190 --> 00:15:40,189 He's with us now on Austin Signal. 541 00:15:40,190 --> 00:15:41,349 Howdy, Jim. Howdy. 542 00:15:41,350 --> 00:15:42,169 Nice to be with you. 543 00:15:42,170 --> 00:15:44,249 I'm glad you are here. 544 00:15:44,250 --> 00:15:45,709 When I just met you a little bit 545 00:15:45,710 --> 00:15:47,649 earlier, but you made me 546 00:15:47,650 --> 00:15:49,149 change my first question because you 547 00:15:49,150 --> 00:15:50,429 invoked the name of John Ailey 548 00:15:50,430 --> 00:15:52,449 walking into the studios today. 549 00:15:52,450 --> 00:15:54,409 We obviously hear no. 550 00:15:54,410 --> 00:15:55,869 And are reminded now, in his 551 00:15:55,870 --> 00:15:57,649 absence, how important John was 552 00:15:57,650 --> 00:15:59,569 towards making people feel like 553 00:15:59,570 --> 00:16:01,489 a part of Austin, part of the local 554 00:16:01,490 --> 00:16:03,249 music and arts experience. 555 00:16:03,250 --> 00:16:04,669 How important are the Paramount and 556 00:16:04,670 --> 00:16:06,109 state theaters when it comes to 557 00:16:06,110 --> 00:16:07,569 supporting arts and music here in 558 00:16:07,570 --> 00:16:07,899 Austin? 559 00:16:07,900 --> 00:16:09,459 I think one of the things we can 560 00:16:09,460 --> 00:16:11,839 draw a parallel between John and 561 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,559 the Paramount and State Theater and 562 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:15,379 frankly KUT, 563 00:16:15,380 --> 00:16:17,139 there are certain parts that are a 564 00:16:17,140 --> 00:16:18,959 fabric of our fundamental 565 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:21,039 part of the fabric of this community 566 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,039 and the 567 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:24,619 paramount theater has been here for 568 00:16:24,620 --> 00:16:25,899 110 years. 569 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:27,779 John only felt like he was here for 570 00:16:27,780 --> 00:16:29,619 a 110 years, 571 00:16:29,620 --> 00:16:31,779 but what he gave 572 00:16:31,780 --> 00:16:34,568 us was an insight 573 00:16:34,569 --> 00:16:36,469 on maybe part of a culture of 574 00:16:36,470 --> 00:16:38,629 Austin, we wouldn't have understood 575 00:16:38,630 --> 00:16:39,489 more fully. 576 00:16:39,490 --> 00:16:41,309 Beyond that, 577 00:16:41,310 --> 00:16:43,329 the cultural arts groups 578 00:16:43,330 --> 00:16:45,529 in this city never had 579 00:16:45,530 --> 00:16:47,969 a greater friend than John Ailey. 580 00:16:47,970 --> 00:16:49,509 He loved to go to the shows, he 581 00:16:49,510 --> 00:16:51,329 liked to talk about them. 582 00:16:51,330 --> 00:16:53,529 And so with the Paramount 583 00:16:53,530 --> 00:16:55,569 being 110 years and the 584 00:16:55,570 --> 00:16:57,809 State Theater being 90 years, 585 00:16:57,810 --> 00:16:59,729 we're now in the sixth generation 586 00:16:59,730 --> 00:17:01,709 of patrons who are coming in 587 00:17:01,710 --> 00:17:02,710 to be with us. 588 00:17:04,260 --> 00:17:06,159 In many ways they are those 589 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:07,999 generations are tied together by 590 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,078 their experiences that can only 591 00:17:10,079 --> 00:17:12,059 happen in a place like 592 00:17:12,060 --> 00:17:13,598 the paramount theater the state 593 00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:15,358 theater and i'm hoping all the other 594 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:16,979 organizations will grow to be a 595 00:17:16,980 --> 00:17:18,239 hundred and ten years and they will 596 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:19,899 have their six generations of by 597 00:17:19,900 --> 00:17:21,719 that time will be on our twelfth 598 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:22,108 generation 599 00:17:22,109 --> 00:17:23,049 Absolutely. 600 00:17:23,050 --> 00:17:24,449 I'm not sure what generation we're 601 00:17:24,450 --> 00:17:26,088 at here at KUT, but yes, we want to 602 00:17:26,089 --> 00:17:27,809 continue growing into the future, 603 00:17:27,810 --> 00:17:28,789 and that's part of the reason why 604 00:17:28,790 --> 00:17:31,169 you are planning this restoration. 605 00:17:31,170 --> 00:17:32,989 You mentioned 110 years old, 90 606 00:17:32,990 --> 00:17:35,009 years old. Why now? 607 00:17:35,010 --> 00:17:36,010 Um, a couple reasons. 608 00:17:37,170 --> 00:17:39,069 We've come to a point in time, we've 609 00:17:39,070 --> 00:17:40,749 needed to do a full restoration of 610 00:17:40,750 --> 00:17:42,709 the Paramount Theater probably 611 00:17:42,710 --> 00:17:43,729 for 20 years. 612 00:17:43,730 --> 00:17:46,169 The work that they did in 79 613 00:17:46,170 --> 00:17:48,089 was simply miraculous, 614 00:17:48,090 --> 00:17:49,989 given the economics that were 615 00:17:49,990 --> 00:17:51,549 available to them, the resources 616 00:17:51,550 --> 00:17:53,589 that were able to them was simply 617 00:17:53,590 --> 00:17:54,929 marvelous. 618 00:17:54,930 --> 00:17:56,529 But there has, as we said, she's 619 00:17:56,530 --> 00:17:57,729 beautiful but she needs a little 620 00:17:57,730 --> 00:17:59,229 work. Yeah, we all do. 621 00:17:59,230 --> 00:18:00,009 Absolutely. 622 00:18:00,010 --> 00:18:01,969 And with the state theater, it's 623 00:18:01,970 --> 00:18:03,529 a more dramatic change. 624 00:18:03,530 --> 00:18:05,409 We're doing a complete re-imagining, 625 00:18:05,410 --> 00:18:07,409 protecting the historic 626 00:18:07,410 --> 00:18:09,069 front of the theater, which is 627 00:18:09,070 --> 00:18:10,349 beautiful. 628 00:18:10,350 --> 00:18:12,169 But virtually everything else that 629 00:18:12,170 --> 00:18:14,129 was once historic has been 630 00:18:14,130 --> 00:18:16,149 gone, has been taken away over 631 00:18:16,150 --> 00:18:18,169 the years. And that's impacted the 632 00:18:18,170 --> 00:18:19,969 business. In the state theater, and 633 00:18:19,970 --> 00:18:21,829 particularly it is, we 634 00:18:21,830 --> 00:18:23,749 talk about our business, that the 635 00:18:23,750 --> 00:18:25,689 way that we operate is take really 636 00:18:25,690 --> 00:18:27,489 good care of the patrons, really 637 00:18:27,490 --> 00:18:29,439 good of the artists. 638 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:30,939 And frankly, really good care of one 639 00:18:30,940 --> 00:18:32,799 another. And because we had 640 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:34,639 300 seats, and we 641 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:36,679 only had one concession 642 00:18:36,680 --> 00:18:38,979 with one or two bartenders, 643 00:18:38,980 --> 00:18:41,179 more importantly, only two restrooms 644 00:18:41,180 --> 00:18:43,039 for 300 people, you can't 645 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:44,879 live up to what you're saying our 646 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:46,459 mission is, which is to provide the 647 00:18:46,460 --> 00:18:47,719 best patron experience. 648 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:49,639 The other thing is, we were 649 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:51,619 limited to some degree by 650 00:18:51,620 --> 00:18:53,879 the size of our dressing rooms, 651 00:18:53,880 --> 00:18:55,779 our green rooms, 652 00:18:55,780 --> 00:18:57,809 the seating capacity. 653 00:18:57,810 --> 00:18:59,349 For us to be able to have a wider 654 00:18:59,350 --> 00:19:01,229 variety of artists, 655 00:19:01,230 --> 00:19:03,229 not only nationally, but from 656 00:19:03,230 --> 00:19:04,849 the local communities and with what 657 00:19:04,850 --> 00:19:06,829 we're doing by bringing in 658 00:19:06,830 --> 00:19:08,789 telescopic seating, bringing in 659 00:19:08,790 --> 00:19:10,949 a new mezzanine, bringing in a new 660 00:19:10,950 --> 00:19:12,489 balcony will increase the seating 661 00:19:12,490 --> 00:19:14,489 capacity by 50%, 662 00:19:14,490 --> 00:19:16,429 but also just incredible 663 00:19:16,430 --> 00:19:18,449 changes in concessions and 664 00:19:18,450 --> 00:19:21,269 lounges and the stage areas, 665 00:19:21,270 --> 00:19:22,729 which is going to let us, I think, 666 00:19:22,730 --> 00:19:24,709 be able to bring in so 667 00:19:24,710 --> 00:19:27,069 many different of the local. 668 00:19:27,070 --> 00:19:28,869 Community cultural institutions. 669 00:19:28,870 --> 00:19:30,409 We're doing some wonderful things 670 00:19:30,410 --> 00:19:32,409 with Ballet Afrique right now and 671 00:19:32,410 --> 00:19:34,409 I think the new state theater 672 00:19:34,410 --> 00:19:36,189 will be important to us from that. 673 00:19:36,190 --> 00:19:37,669 What also the state theater 674 00:19:37,670 --> 00:19:39,709 represents is 675 00:19:39,710 --> 00:19:41,989 the next generation of patrons. 676 00:19:41,990 --> 00:19:44,069 We can do things in the state, 677 00:19:44,070 --> 00:19:45,429 in the new state theater that we 678 00:19:45,430 --> 00:19:46,769 can't do right now. 679 00:19:46,770 --> 00:19:48,329 We can experiment to a greater 680 00:19:48,330 --> 00:19:50,389 degree. The cost of failure and 681 00:19:50,390 --> 00:19:51,989 experimentation is not as great at 682 00:19:51,990 --> 00:19:53,809 this date as it is at the Paramount. 683 00:19:53,810 --> 00:19:55,729 But if you're able to not just 684 00:19:55,730 --> 00:19:57,629 invite new chronology, 685 00:19:57,630 --> 00:19:59,529 meaning the next generations, 686 00:19:59,530 --> 00:20:01,829 but also the entire community 687 00:20:01,830 --> 00:20:03,949 to be able to feel welcome 688 00:20:03,950 --> 00:20:05,929 and to experiment with us, 689 00:20:05,930 --> 00:20:07,969 then what we're doing is, I think, 690 00:20:07,970 --> 00:20:09,329 is we're growing the next generation 691 00:20:09,330 --> 00:20:11,209 of cultural leaders and 692 00:20:11,210 --> 00:20:12,989 also patrons who will then 693 00:20:12,990 --> 00:20:14,869 ultimately move over to the Paramout 694 00:20:14,870 --> 00:20:15,329 Theater. 695 00:20:15,330 --> 00:20:17,229 So what is your fundraising goal and 696 00:20:17,230 --> 00:20:18,189 what are some of the things you 697 00:20:18,190 --> 00:20:19,539 would like to improve? 698 00:20:19,540 --> 00:20:21,359 $55 million for 699 00:20:21,360 --> 00:20:23,499 construction for both theaters, 700 00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:25,719 $10 million to establish an 701 00:20:25,720 --> 00:20:27,599 endowment. The overall objective 702 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:29,579 is to protect both theaters for 703 00:20:29,580 --> 00:20:30,839 the next hundred years. 704 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:32,719 I mean, just very simply put, 705 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:33,919 the key things, I just talked a 706 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:35,039 little bit about the state, but let 707 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,239 me go over to the Paramount Theater. 708 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,819 The Paramount theater, 709 00:20:39,820 --> 00:20:42,239 its internal ornamentation 710 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:44,119 is spectacularly 711 00:20:44,120 --> 00:20:46,039 beautiful, but it is 712 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:46,939 deteriorating. 713 00:20:46,940 --> 00:20:48,959 And what we are going to be doing 714 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:50,829 is though the theater was 715 00:20:50,830 --> 00:20:52,829 originally opened in 1915 716 00:20:52,830 --> 00:20:55,349 as the Majestic Theater, 717 00:20:55,350 --> 00:20:57,289 in 1930 it was 718 00:20:57,290 --> 00:20:59,489 purchased by Paramount Pictures. 719 00:20:59,490 --> 00:21:01,369 And at that time there were a number 720 00:21:01,370 --> 00:21:03,349 of changes that they made and in the 721 00:21:03,350 --> 00:21:05,429 79 restoration, things 722 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:06,429 that they did differently. 723 00:21:06,430 --> 00:21:08,309 What we're doing is, we're 724 00:21:08,310 --> 00:21:10,109 going to take it back to the palette 725 00:21:10,110 --> 00:21:11,969 of the color palette 726 00:21:11,970 --> 00:21:16,249 and design of 1931. 727 00:21:16,250 --> 00:21:18,209 Then we're also, and this is be... 728 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:20,049 And probably I should lead with this 729 00:21:20,050 --> 00:21:21,529 for your entire audience. 730 00:21:21,530 --> 00:21:23,589 We are replacing every single 731 00:21:23,590 --> 00:21:24,950 seat in the Paramount Theater. 732 00:21:24,951 --> 00:21:26,679 Oh, I can hear the ovation coming 733 00:21:26,680 --> 00:21:28,319 from the drag outside, you know, 734 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:29,320 people are responding. 735 00:21:30,430 --> 00:21:32,429 I appreciate it, but it's true. 736 00:21:32,430 --> 00:21:34,349 We're way beyond their useful 737 00:21:34,350 --> 00:21:36,289 life. So we will be replacing 738 00:21:36,290 --> 00:21:37,349 all of those. 739 00:21:37,350 --> 00:21:39,689 We're also significantly upgrading 740 00:21:39,690 --> 00:21:41,769 our technology for sound 741 00:21:41,770 --> 00:21:43,529 and lighting. 742 00:21:43,530 --> 00:21:45,309 We're a union house, a very proud 743 00:21:45,310 --> 00:21:46,709 union house. 744 00:21:46,710 --> 00:21:48,589 And our union sound artists 745 00:21:48,590 --> 00:21:50,709 and lighting artists do not have 746 00:21:50,710 --> 00:21:52,309 the state of the art tools in order 747 00:21:52,310 --> 00:21:54,389 for us to really maximize what their 748 00:21:54,390 --> 00:21:55,809 capabilities are. 749 00:21:55,810 --> 00:21:57,349 And I think that folks, when they 750 00:21:57,350 --> 00:21:59,489 come into it, will still be this 751 00:21:59,490 --> 00:22:00,889 wonderfully intimate theater. 752 00:22:00,890 --> 00:22:02,989 And I they'll feel the freshness 753 00:22:02,990 --> 00:22:04,029 of what we're doing with the 754 00:22:04,030 --> 00:22:05,049 ornamentation. 755 00:22:05,050 --> 00:22:07,029 But I think what they'll notice is 756 00:22:07,030 --> 00:22:08,849 a different relationship to the 757 00:22:08,850 --> 00:22:11,149 music, to the spoken word, 758 00:22:11,150 --> 00:22:13,109 to the film, because we're upgrading 759 00:22:13,110 --> 00:22:14,829 all of that. 760 00:22:14,830 --> 00:22:16,649 The final thing that we're doing 761 00:22:16,650 --> 00:22:18,269 or the final two things is we are 762 00:22:18,270 --> 00:22:20,229 expanding the 763 00:22:20,230 --> 00:22:22,309 concessions areas and we're 764 00:22:22,310 --> 00:22:23,869 going to be expanding the restroom 765 00:22:23,870 --> 00:22:25,109 areas, Okay. Which I think is very 766 00:22:25,110 --> 00:22:26,029 important. 767 00:22:26,030 --> 00:22:27,969 The final thing that I love is in 768 00:22:27,970 --> 00:22:30,049 the original 1915 plans 769 00:22:30,050 --> 00:22:31,889 for the Majestic Theater, now the 770 00:22:31,890 --> 00:22:33,749 Paramount Theater, there 771 00:22:33,750 --> 00:22:35,629 was behind those three opera 772 00:22:35,630 --> 00:22:37,529 windows that you see on the front of 773 00:22:37,530 --> 00:22:39,389 the Paramout Theater, the Paramouth 774 00:22:39,390 --> 00:22:41,269 Blade bisects the middle 775 00:22:41,270 --> 00:22:42,449 window. 776 00:22:42,450 --> 00:22:44,269 John Eberson, who was the architect 777 00:22:44,270 --> 00:22:46,229 who designed it in 1915, it 778 00:22:46,230 --> 00:22:48,129 is so clear that what 779 00:22:48,130 --> 00:22:50,009 was in his mind was that those 780 00:22:50,010 --> 00:22:51,049 windows would be open. 781 00:22:51,050 --> 00:22:53,429 There are actually balconettes 782 00:22:53,430 --> 00:22:55,029 in front of each of them where 783 00:22:55,030 --> 00:22:56,419 somebody can stand. 784 00:22:56,420 --> 00:22:57,739 But those windows were gonna be 785 00:22:57,740 --> 00:22:59,519 open, white shears would be blowing 786 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:01,499 in the wind, and behind that was 787 00:23:01,500 --> 00:23:03,619 to be a ballroom that you 788 00:23:03,620 --> 00:23:05,679 would have had a woodwind quartet 789 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:07,019 playing and all of that. 790 00:23:07,020 --> 00:23:08,999 Well, for some reason, they built 791 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:10,819 the windows, they put in the 792 00:23:10,820 --> 00:23:12,479 floor, they put it in crown molding, 793 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:14,359 but they never built out that 794 00:23:14,360 --> 00:23:15,639 1,500 square feet. 795 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:17,799 We are now going to be doing that 796 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:20,180 and building it out, and it will be 797 00:23:21,660 --> 00:23:23,379 JP's Peace, Love and Happiness 798 00:23:23,380 --> 00:23:25,229 Lounge. We're very grateful to. 799 00:23:25,230 --> 00:23:27,529 To the DeZoria family, 800 00:23:27,530 --> 00:23:29,789 to JP and Eloise, 801 00:23:29,790 --> 00:23:31,689 for funding that entire project. 802 00:23:31,690 --> 00:23:33,089 And you can see what that looks like 803 00:23:33,090 --> 00:23:34,789 over at KUT.org. 804 00:23:34,790 --> 00:23:36,229 I gotta ask you, and although 805 00:23:36,230 --> 00:23:38,149 there's great anticipation for the 806 00:23:38,150 --> 00:23:39,469 new seats, what's gonna happen to 807 00:23:39,470 --> 00:23:40,249 those old ones? 808 00:23:40,250 --> 00:23:41,989 You think people might wanna own a 809 00:23:41,990 --> 00:23:43,169 piece of the Paramount, have a 810 00:23:43,170 --> 00:23:43,230 little history? 811 00:23:43,231 --> 00:23:45,059 First of all, you're 812 00:23:45,060 --> 00:23:47,079 exactly right, and we 813 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:49,079 are a non-profit and we will 814 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:50,919 raise funds however we can. 815 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:52,619 I know all about that. 816 00:23:52,620 --> 00:23:54,339 Well, we do know that, we've done a 817 00:23:54,340 --> 00:23:56,199 lot of things together. 818 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:58,879 But what we'll be doing first is 819 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:00,999 we will be giving our 820 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,139 patrons an opportunity to buy those 821 00:24:03,140 --> 00:24:05,219 seats. And then depending 822 00:24:05,220 --> 00:24:07,239 on what we have after 823 00:24:07,240 --> 00:24:08,919 that. We'll determine whether they 824 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:10,919 can be reutilized elsewhere 825 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:12,839 or if they're too far gone. 826 00:24:12,840 --> 00:24:15,239 But we will be very ecologically 827 00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:17,579 sensitive to how we 828 00:24:17,580 --> 00:24:19,399 deal with those that are not 829 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:19,699 sold. 830 00:24:19,700 --> 00:24:21,079 Okay well we only have about a 831 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,119 minute left, you know, lots of 832 00:24:23,120 --> 00:24:25,099 things to be excited about heading 833 00:24:25,100 --> 00:24:26,279 into the future. 834 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:27,719 What do you hope for the Paramount's 835 00:24:27,720 --> 00:24:29,259 future, you said for the next 836 00:24:29,260 --> 00:24:30,959 century, what do you hope that's 837 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:32,169 going to be like? 838 00:24:32,170 --> 00:24:34,149 What I hope is that it continues to 839 00:24:34,150 --> 00:24:35,929 be what it is right now, and I 840 00:24:35,930 --> 00:24:37,769 believe it is the crossroads 841 00:24:37,770 --> 00:24:39,649 of our community, where the people 842 00:24:39,650 --> 00:24:41,109 are allowed to come in and have the 843 00:24:41,110 --> 00:24:42,889 opportunity to see the widest range 844 00:24:42,890 --> 00:24:43,949 of programming. 845 00:24:43,950 --> 00:24:45,909 They can be made to laugh. 846 00:24:45,910 --> 00:24:47,749 They can made to cry. 847 00:24:47,750 --> 00:24:49,669 They can make to think perhaps a 848 00:24:49,670 --> 00:24:51,489 little bit differently, but that 849 00:24:51,490 --> 00:24:53,409 they understand that this is the 850 00:24:53,410 --> 00:24:55,169 place that you can come and see 851 00:24:55,170 --> 00:24:56,629 literally every form of 852 00:24:56,630 --> 00:24:57,409 entertainment. 853 00:24:57,410 --> 00:25:00,029 You have the opportunities to be 854 00:25:00,030 --> 00:25:01,030 moved. 855 00:25:02,090 --> 00:25:04,009 And perhaps maybe, we hope, improved 856 00:25:04,010 --> 00:25:06,109 a little bit because your soul was 857 00:25:06,110 --> 00:25:07,549 fed by the Paramount and State 858 00:25:07,550 --> 00:25:08,119 theaters. 859 00:25:08,120 --> 00:25:09,999 A very simple goal, and I 860 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:11,579 love that. I love you can get 861 00:25:11,580 --> 00:25:13,599 grounded in that, and if you haven't 862 00:25:13,600 --> 00:25:14,839 been to the Paramount to the State 863 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:16,979 Theater yet, it's waiting for you. 864 00:25:16,980 --> 00:25:18,279 And hopefully we'll be there long 865 00:25:18,280 --> 00:25:19,159 into the future. 866 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:20,879 Again, we've been speaking with Jim 867 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:22,399 Ritz. He is CEO of the Austin 868 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:24,059 Theater Alliance, the non-profit 869 00:25:24,060 --> 00:25:25,819 that operates the Paramout and State 870 00:25:25,820 --> 00:25:28,139 Theaters. They set a $65 million 871 00:25:28,140 --> 00:25:29,819 fundraising goal for a restoration 872 00:25:29,820 --> 00:25:31,239 of both venues. 873 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,099 Jim mentioned the JP's Lounge. 874 00:25:33,100 --> 00:25:34,419 You can check out photos of what 875 00:25:34,420 --> 00:25:36,499 they would like to do in the future, 876 00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:38,599 over at KUT.org. 877 00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:39,989 Jim, thank you for being here today. 878 00:25:39,990 --> 00:25:41,729 My pleasure, I really appreciate you 879 00:25:41,730 --> 00:25:41,979 having me. 880 00:25:41,980 --> 00:25:43,899 Absolutely, this is Austin 881 00:25:43,900 --> 00:25:45,719 Signal. Kristen Cabrera is 882 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:47,179 our managing producer. 883 00:25:47,180 --> 00:25:49,299 We're glad she's back with us today. 884 00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:51,199 Rayna Sevilla is our technical 885 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:52,279 director. 886 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:53,639 I'm Jerry Quijano. 887 00:25:53,640 --> 00:25:55,279 We will talk to you tomorrow.