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In anticipation of the May 7 election on transportation network company (TNC) regulations, protesters gathered on East Sixth to march against Uber and Lyft, the two companies that have largely funded this ballot initiative. Find more information about the election and our editorial board's endorsement at austinchronicle.com/elections. (Photo by John Anderson)

Policy Before Numbers: City Council began its annual budget process with a Wednesday work session, with staff placing emphasis on structural "cost drivers" and policy choices over financial detail at this early stage. See "City Budget Preview Remains Strong, With Notes of Caution," April 29.

Last Thursday, Council moved to include displaced mobile home residents in the Tenant Relocation Program, and entertained a mini-tirade from CM Don Zimmerman – the target this time: climate change. With only a budget work session scheduled this week, Council won't have a regular chamber meeting until May 5.

Yet another record-setting month at Bergstrom Airport: SXSW-related traffic led to the busiest March in the airport's history (up 6% from 2015), its third-busiest month ever, and the 42nd straight month of consecutive growth in passenger numbers.

The search for a new Austin Energy general manager narrows. City Manager Marc Ott picked four contenders this week: Terrance Naulty; Jacqueline Sargent; Deborah Kimberly; and James West. Kimberly is currently VP of Customer Energy Solutions at AE, and Sargent previously worked there. Ott plans to announce his pick in mid-May.

North Carolina's transphobic so-called "bathroom bill" could creep up next Lege session. This week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled his support for statewide legislation that would ban residents from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, and has started a petition on his website to "Keep Men Out of Women's Rest­rooms" by boycotting Target, which recently welcomed transgender employees and guests to use the restrooms/fitting rooms that correspond with their gender identity.

Texas Health and Human Services Com­mis­sion Chief Chris Traylor is quitting after less than a year on the job. Traylor took over from previous commissioner Kyle Janek last June as the agency became immersed in scandals over no-bid contracts and nepotistic hiring; now the crumbling foster program at the Department of Family and Protective Services is under similarly heavy fire.

Bernie Tiede was resentenced to 99 years or life in prison on Friday, despite supporters flocking to Henderson, Texas, to act as character witnesses. The former mortician, who shot and killed Marjorie Nugent 20 years ago, had sought to have his life sentence overturned.

Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Pflugerville, is now under investigation by the Texas Rangers. DPS spokesman Tom Vinger confirmed Tuesday that the Travis County District Attorney's Office has requested the Rangers join the investigation into allegations that Dukes forced her legislative staff to work on non-state business.