On Monday, attorney Fred Lewis filed a complaint alleging the unauthorized practice of law by Steve Herbst, the lead consultant on a contract with Forvis Mazars to review the performance of Central Health for Travis County. The complaint was based on the fact that Herbst told the Travis County Commissioners Court, “We are happy to […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inZoning
Major upzoning in Zilker neighborhood draws opposition
On Sept. 12, City Council approved a zoning change for a 0.42-acre property in the Zilker neighborhood that will allow the developer to build to 90 feet, falling under the Density Bonus 90 category. The property at 2130 Goodrich Ave., currently the site of a one-story office building, is about 100 feet from South Lamar […]
Posted inCourts
Travis County sues Paxton over voter registration efforts
Travis County is fighting back. That’s the message that County Judge Andy Brown, County Attorney Delia Garza, County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant and County Commissioner Jeff Travillion delivered at a press conference on Tuesday. They denounced Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for attempting to prevent Travis County from hiring a firm to […]
Posted inElections
Watson collects the most endorsements among mayoral candidates
Campaigns for City Council and mayor are heating up just as the weather is cooling a bit, by Austin standards at least. Mayor Kirk Watson is touting his many endorsements, with a full page devoted to the 14 unions that have indicated their support, starting with the Austin Firefighters Association and the Austin-Travis County EMS […]
Posted inCity Council
Council urges cutting PFAS from firefighting equipment
On a unanimous vote Thursday, City Council adopted a resolution urging the city’s Fire Department to eliminate PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) from the city’s firefighting equipment, noting that the substance is dangerous not only to firefighters but also to the environment. Council Member Mackenzie Kelly was the lead sponsor of the resolution. As the […]
Posted inWhispers
Auditor, clerks get 4 percent raise
Austin City Auditor Corrie Stokes, City Clerk Myrna Rios and Municipal Court Clerk Mary Jane Grubb will each get a 4 percent raise, the same as other non-sworn city employees will receive effective at the beginning of October. City Council on Thursday approved Stokes’ new salary of a little more than $208,000; Rios will be […]
Posted inCourts
Mayoral candidate Doug Greco sues city to overturn campaign finance rule
Mayoral candidate Doug Greco and his campaign, along with Ramon Duran – a Bexar County resident who supports Greco’s candidacy – filed suit in federal court on Tuesday, challenging the provision of the Austin City Charter that prevents City Council candidates from accepting more than $47,000 in contributions from people who live outside the Austin […]
Posted inCourts
Austin to argue city’s immunity from suit at Supreme Court
Attorneys for the city of Austin will attempt to convince the Texas Supreme Court this morning that two Austin police officers chasing a suspect did not act with “reckless disregard” during an emergency so that the city is still immune from suit under the Texas Tort Claims Act. So far, the trial court and the […]
Posted inElections
Paxton sues Travis County over voter registration attempt
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Friday in an attempt to prevent Travis County from hiring an outside firm to find people eligible to vote who are not registered. The Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously last month to hire Civic Government Solutions to provide the names and addresses of eligible resident […]
Posted inPolice
Former officer proposes settlement that includes changes at APD
City Council last week approved a payment of up to $293,000 to a law firm to defend the city against claims of discrimination and harassment at the Austin Police Department. The total contract amount for Schmoyer Reinhard LLP could be $367,000 for services related to Samantha Liedtke v. City of Austin. Liedtke is a former […]
Posted inWhispers
Three new PACs to promote Council candidates
In addition to the multitude of City Council candidates looking for funds for their campaigns, there are now three local political action committees that will be raising and spending money to support various candidates. Leading the Vibrant Austin political action committee is Skyler Korgel, who told the Austin Monitor that his PAC is “pro housing.” […]
Posted inZoning
East Cesar Chavez zoning granted despite neighbors’ objections
Although former City Council Member Raul Alvarez and other east side advocates argued strenuously during last week’s meeting against granting DB90 zoning to the property at 3020 E. Cesar Chavez St., Council members approved the change on all three readings. The old zoning allowed for a relatively modest mixed-use building. Developers are now expected to […]