After hearing the city’s chief prosecutor say that drivers on their cell phones are 23 times more likely to be in a wreck than a driver who isn’t distracted, the Public Safety Commission approved a resolution Monday asking City Council to form a task force to consider expanding the city’s texting-while-driving ban. Chief prosecutor […]
Gene Davis
Posted inLocal Government
Health care collaborative to receive $29 million in federal funds
The Central Health Board of Managers gave a rare standing ovation Wednesday night after hearing that Travis County’s new healthcare delivery system for low-income residents is the recipient of $29 million in federal funding. With an additional $20.3 million in local matching funds, the Community Care Collaborative gets access to $49.3 million to tackle […]
Posted inPublic Safety
AFD calls for more rescue boats, improved notification systems
Just more than a month after the Halloween flood devastated parts of Austin and Travis County, Austin Fire Department representatives told the Public Safety Commission Monday that more rescue boats and an improved emergency notification system are needed to better respond to future natural disasters. AFD Chief of Staff Harry Evans stressed that the […]
Posted inLocal Politics
City management increases restrictions on employee gifts
Sparked by a case where city employees walked away with $11,000 in prizes from a work-related convention, Human Resources Director Mark Washington has outlined a new policy that places stricter limits on the gifts city employees can receive while on the job. Washington told Council Audit and Finance Committee members last month that the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Leffingwell appoints committee to explore Innovation District
Mayor Lee Leffingwell, using descriptions such as “a catalyst for long-term prosperity” and “creating the Austin of the future,” set high expectations for an Innovation District being planned just west of the future Dell Medical School Campus at the University of Texas. Leffingwell, speaking at the Downtown Austin Alliance-hosted breakfast on Wednesday, announced the […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Israel and VanDeWalle headed for District 50 runoff election
The House District 50 race is headed to a runoff. Of four candidates, Republican Dr. Mike VanDeWalle and Democrat Celia Israel ended the race comfortably in first and second place, though neither secured a majority of the vote. Israel and VanDeWalle will face off in a runoff election on a date yet to be […]