Austin Monitor reporter Jack Craver chats with John Riedie, CEO of the Austin Creative Alliance, to discuss the challenges the arts economy faces in Austin and why Riedie opposes plans to fund an expansion of the convention center. Austin Monitor Radio is produced in partnership with KOOP 91.7 FM. The Austin Monitor’s work is […]
Jack Craver
Posted inTravis County
Commissioners Court makes move on public defender’s office
Travis County took a crucial step toward creating a public defender’s office when the Commissioners Court voted 4-1 Tuesday to submit an application for state funding to set one up. The commissioners made the move after months of debate among defense attorneys, judges and criminal justice reform activists about what the new office should look […]
Posted inWhispers
Travis County finally welcomes new courthouse
Plans that have existed for over a decade to build a new civil courthouse in Travis County are finally coming to fruition. On Friday, May 31, at 2 p.m., county leaders will assemble for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility at 1700 Guadalupe St. Speakers will include County […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 5.7.19
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The entire agenda is available on the Travis County website. 5. Consider and take appropriate action regarding: A. Outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
County leaders denounce anti-lobbying proposal
In addition to imposing strict constraints on local governments’ ability to raise property tax revenue, Republicans at the state Legislature want to limit how those governments can spend their tax dollars. A number of bills have been filed this session that would prohibit local governments from spending public funds to advocate for or against legislation. […]
Posted inBudget
Central Health considers how to raise awareness of its existence
With limited funds and the threat of revenue restrictions from the state, Central Health, Travis County’s public hospital district, is grappling with how to make the best use of its resources. At a town hall forum Monday at its headquarters on East Cesar Chavez Street, Central Health leaders described their organization as providing a tremendous […]
Posted inPlanning
Commissioners Court punts on affordable housing project
The Travis County Commissioners Court declined to take action on a proposed affordable housing project in eastern Travis County Tuesday. County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said the court would take up the matter at next week’s meeting, without hinting at how the court would act. The proposed 262-unit project at 9000 Decker Lane, called Decker Lofts, […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
Travis County braces for lean times
Travis County commissioners spent a good chunk of Tuesday morning fuming over state legislation targeting local control, notably a proposal that will sharply limit the ability of local governments to raise property tax revenue. A bill recently approved by the state Senate, which would cut the maximum effective property tax rate from 8 percent to […]
Posted inTravis County
Revenue caps loom over discussion of public defender’s office
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt warmly welcomed a proposal to establish a county public defender’s office, saying it was imperative that Travis County join the vast majority of major urban jurisdictions in providing attorneys to represent criminal defendants who can’t afford to hire one. “Certainly this is the civil rights issue of our time,” Eckhardt […]
Posted inHousing
A big problem for low-income homeowners: septic tanks
For the most part, living in rural Travis County is cheaper than living in the city of Austin. Land values, property taxes and rents are all significantly lower. Sewage, however, often costs significantly more. The problems and costs associated with aging septic tanks is such a common problem that in recent years Travis County has […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County already has a public defender’s office – for juveniles
Amid the contentious public debate over the creation of a public defender’s office in Travis County is an oft-neglected fact: Travis County already has a public defender’s office. It just doesn’t serve adults. The Travis County Juvenile Public Defender, founded in 1971, was the first such program in the country, according to Kameron Johnson, who […]
Posted inAustin
Tense meeting over arrest at library
The Library Commission heard impassioned testimony Monday night over the arrest last month of a 13-year-old girl at the Austin Public Library’s Carver branch. Activists showed up to the meeting at the Terrazas branch on Cesar Chavez Street to urge the library system to adopt new policies aimed at avoiding police calls while Library Director […]