Texas lawmakers heard hours of public testimony Thursday and into early Friday morning over a bill banning so-called “sanctuary cities” in Texas, ultimately voting early this morning 7-2 -along party lines to send the bill to the full Senate Texas lawmakers heard hours of public testimony Thursday over a bill banning so-called “sanctuary cities” in […]
Audrey McGlinchy, KUT
Posted inTravis County
Advocates, lawyers and immigrants respond to ‘sanctuary city’ threats
In response to promises from state and federal governments to knock out so-called “sanctuary cities” Wednesday, roughly 30 people crowded atop a rickety podium to announce their support of Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s immigration policy. At the local headquarters of the Workers Defense Project, they held signs reading, “We are here to stay” and […]
Posted inAustin
Mayor sees collective effort in revitalizing east downtown
Just before the new year, Mayor Steve Adler wrote a lengthy post on the City Council Message Board, titled: “Possible solution to downtown puzzle.” He later said it wasn’t so much a puzzle, but that there were a lot of pieces involved. What he’s referring to is a snaking spine of green space, commercial areas […]
Posted inAustin
Will Trump’s vow to cut funding for sanctuary cities affect Austin?
In a windowless office in a Northwest Austin thrift store, past several racks of high-end used clothing, Todd Logan pored over a list of names. “We had about 84 folks we were helping through our housing program,” he said. Logan is the director of client services at Project Transitions, a nonprofit that provides medical care […]
Posted inAustin
Animal Services to take community-centered approach to lost pets
In some parts of Austin, runaway pets are likely to stay lost. That’s what an analysis by the city’s Animal Services Department has found. While roughly one animal for every 100 residents gets brought into a shelter citywide, three ZIP codes in East Austin – 78702, 78724 and 78617 – have intake rates two and […]
Posted inCity Council
Council votes to fund immigration legal fees
Half a dozen posters depicting that British hit band the Beatles color the walls of Justin Estep’s office on Rutherford Lane in North Austin. It brings some levity to an otherwise tense space. “Anxiety … and just basic fear,” said Estep, describing the emotions of many of his clients in the wake of Donald Trump’s […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Travis County Commissioners consider spending up to $14 million on legal review of DNA cases
The Travis County Commissioners Court considered options for how to handle a review of criminal cases potentially compromised by the local DNA lab. Run by the Austin Police Department, the lab shuttered its doors in June following an audit from the Texas Forensic Science Commission. “What’s particularly concerning about the problems that were happening at […]
Posted inRoads
Council members consider ways to lower neighborhood speed limits
Testimony included talk of a birthday. “Ben turned 10 on Monday at a rehabilitation facility in Dallas,” Kathy Sokolic told members of the City Council Mobility Committee on Wednesday. As we’ve chronicled before, a car hit Sokolic’s nephew, Ben, outside his home in the Mueller neighborhood in September. He survived, but his injuries have left […]
Posted inTransportation
Six months in, Vision Zero focuses on pedestrian safety
Holding back tears, Kathy Sokolic told roughly 30 people seated outside City Hall the story of a bruised heart. “On the evening of Sept. 12, our 9-year-old,” began Sokolic, before pausing to gather herself. “Our 9-year-old nephew, Ben, was hit by a truck on the residential street just feet from his home.” Ben survived – […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Little known on when public safety contract negotiations will start
Two of the city’s three public safety unions are willing to consider a one-year extension of their contracts with the city – but it might not be as simple as giving the go-ahead. Although negotiations for new contracts are set for spring 2017, City Council has said it wants to wait until a new city […]
Posted inCity Hall
Mayor announces task force to dismantle institutional racism
Flanked by city colleagues and leaders in both academia and the nonprofit world Wednesday, Mayor Steve Adler introduced the city of Austin to its newest task force: a group that will combat “institutional racism.” The group will be made up of local community leaders in education, immigration and housing. Adler said the point is not […]
Posted inAustin
Is Austin a sanctuary city? Good question.
Attempts to eliminate so-called sanctuary cities has begun anew with another Texas legislative session and new national leadership that has singled out these municipalities. And while Austin is often labeled a sanctuary city, it’s not clear that the city indeed is one. Elissa Steglich, law professor with the University of Texas Immigration Clinic, said there […]