On a vote of 8-3, City Council last week approved on first reading a major change for a small sliver of property at 1209 W. Fifth St. The change would allow the developer to build up to 120 feet, a change that has neighbors up in arms. After hearing objections to the proposal from several […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inCity Hall
Jesús Garza disputes allegation that he violated city ethics rule
Consultants hired to investigate an ethics complaint against former interim City Manager Jesús Garza have concluded that he violated a city ethics regulation when engaging the services of former city employees Joe Canales and Laura Huffman without consulting City Council. Garza adamantly disputes that allegation, citing the multiple crises the city was facing and the […]
Posted inCity Council
Legal questions cause delay in considering changes to petition rules
At Thursday’s City Council meeting, after hearing complaints from two attorneys that a proposed ordinance would violate state law and the city charter, Mayor Kirk Watson announced that the item would be withdrawn. The proposed ordinance would govern petitions for initiatives, referendums and recall of City Council members. After hearing about problems with the proposed […]
Posted inWhispers
Staff changes you might notice
As some City Council members prepare to leave the dais and others get ready for another year of service, the staff of those retiring have to find new jobs. Louisa Brinsmade, who has served as chief of staff for Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool for several years, has gone to work for Mayor Kirk Watson. […]
Posted inWhispers
Proposed ordinance would substantially change petition rules
On today’s City Council agenda is a proposed ordinance that would “slow down and erect roadblocks to citizen-initiated petitions for ordinances, charter amendments, and recall of sitting council members,” according to a message from the Save Our Springs Alliance. The proposed ordinance “would require petitioners to register with the city clerk before launching a petition […]
Posted inElections
Duchen clinches narrow win in District 10 election
Although the race was extremely close, at the end of Tuesday night Marc Duchen could claim victory in the District 10 City Council contest over his only opponent, Ashika Ganguly. Duchen finished with 20,731 votes to Ganguly’s 20,227, with only 504 votes separating the two. Unlike some other races, the final tally did not come […]
Posted inWhispers
Election night is party time!
Those running for office and their supporters will have plenty of venues to chose from on Tuesday night. The Travis County Democratic Party, in collaboration with the Harris/Walz Campaign and local Democratic clubs, will host an Election Night Watch Party from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos St. They are expecting […]
Posted inElections
Incumbents have fundraising edge in districts 2 and 4
Looking at fundraising in the final two City Council races not considered in previous reporting in the Austin Monitor, we see two reasonably popular incumbents with every reason to be optimistic about Tuesday’s election. Regardless of policies, an incumbent almost always has a fundraising advantage. And in races for districts 2 and 4, that continues […]
Posted inElections
New reports show PACs at work in Austin Council races
As everyone is keenly aware, there’s an important election coming up next week. Not just the federal contest, but also City Council races. The candidates have now turned in their final campaign finance reports before the Nov. 5 election. These reports indicate not only how successful they have been in raising money but also who […]
Posted inWhispers
Sen. Bernie Sanders endorses Siegel in District 7, but his group endorses Bledsoe
While some endorsements clearly make a difference in political races, it is unclear how many Austin voters really care whether Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Mike Siegel or Gary Bledsoe in the City Council District 7 race. He endorsed Siegel. However, Our Revolution, the progressive grassroots organization started by Sanders, endorsed Bledsoe. Bledsoe’s campaign flyer […]
Posted inHousing
Report shows more ways for city to help residents become homeowners
Although the city of Austin offers help for low-income residents who wish to become homeowners, that assistance is limited to buyers who earn at or below 80 percent of the local Median Family Income, or MFI, which is currently $97,800 for a family of four. At the request of City Council members Vanessa Fuentes and […]
Posted inZoning
New zoning would allow huge building on South Congress
At the last meeting before the Nov. 5 election, City Council spent more than 11 hours in chambers, with most of their time being devoted to the contract with the Austin Police Association, which they approved. But with a barely noted vote at the end of the meeting, they also approved on first reading a […]