Here’s what you need to know to start your week in Central Austin: 1. Compare your school district’s tax rates with others in the Austin area Last month, local school districts approved tax rates for the 2017-18 fiscal year. This map compares each district’s adopted tax rates for FY 2017-18 with those in FY 2016-17. 2. New pilot program will help employ Austin’s homeless and panhandling populations Austin City Council approved a new pilot program last week that will offer temporary work opportunities to panhandlers and those experiencing homelessness in an effort to reduce both. The program aims to connect individuals to mental health services, housing and long-term employment. 3. Texting-while-driving ban takes effect across state On Friday, a new statewide texting-while-driving took effect. The legislation replaces a patchwork of local ordinances in favor of one piece of legislation that regulates the practice from a statewide level. 4. Federal judge blocks controversial sanctuary cities bill Last week, U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia blocked the implementation of Senate Bill 4, which would penalize local governments that don’t enforce federal immigration policies. The bill would have prevented cities like Austin from self-designating as “sanctuary cities.” 5. Austin ISD prepares for ‘thousands’ of students displaced by Harvey Austin ISD announced it will enroll children impacted by Hurricane Harvey who have evacuated or relocated to Austin. Although district officials do not know how many students will enroll they are preparing for the possibility of thousands of students. 6. Austin Pets Alive! shelters more than 1,700 animals following Harvey The no-kill shelter is accepting donations and applications to foster pets who have been rescued and separated from their owners. In addition to a temporary shelter on Burnet Road, APA staff have been working on the ground to coordinate rescues and help shelters in Houston manage their populations.