Texas courts have ruled that “zoning is a subject that is outside the scope of the initiative and referendum process.” Therefore, the city is neither required nor authorized to call an election on the petition currently being circulated by opponents of the new land development regulations known as CodeNEXT. That is one of the conclusions […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inElections
Updated: Dist. 21 offers surprises for both R’s and D’s
By midevening on election night, some longtime observers were laughing and scratching their heads over the surprise results that seemed to be developing in Texas’ 21st Congressional District, the seat being vacated by longtime Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio. On the Republican side, it was no surprise when Chip Roy, the man endorsed by Sen. […]
Posted inWhispers
Judge denies police request for injunction
District Judge Scott Jenkins last week denied the Austin Police Association’s request for a temporary restraining order to keep the Austin police monitor from attending interviews conducted by the department’s internal affairs officers. The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas represented Austin police officers in court. Sgt. Todd Harrison, president of CLEAT, released a statement […]
Posted inWhispers
CodeNEXT petitioners near signature goal
The leader of a group working to gather enough petition signatures to put a question on next November’s ballot about whether the city should reject a new Land Development Code said Monday night that petitioners have gathered about 24,700 signatures so far. If all those signatures are verified, that would be enough to put the […]
Posted inWhispers
Tasty Spoon alcohol permit OK’d
City Council told a little cafe on South First Street that currently sells gelato and coffee that the city will not prevent them from having a liquor license, in spite of its proximity to the Texas School for the Deaf. At Thursday’s Council meeting, Council members Delia Garza and Ora Houston argued that in spite […]
Posted inEMS
Third ambulance service gets OK from Council
Two ambulance companies that currently have franchises to provide nonemergency transfer services within the city of Austin told City Council Thursday that it would be a mistake to grant a franchise to a third company, but failed in their effort. Council unanimously approved a franchise for Allegiance Mobile Health on first reading after hearing from […]
Posted inWhispers
Pecan Street Inc. names new CEO
The board of directors of the Austin-based organization Pecan Street Inc. has announced that Suzanne Russo is the group’s new chief executive officer, replacing Brewster McCracken. McCracken resigned last week as he announced plans to launch an energy intelligence firm. Pecan Street, which was started in 2008, is a coalition of organizations focused on reimagining […]
Posted inWhispers
Early vote shows Democrats’ enthusiasm
Travis County Democrats continue to show greater enthusiasm for early voting for the March 6 primary than Republican voters, with Democratic turnout comparable to the presidential election year 2016. Republican turnout is more similar to the turnout Travis County saw in 2014, which like 2018, was a gubernatorial election year. As of the end of […]
Posted inPolice
Police sue city over police monitor access
The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, representing Ken Casaday, president of the Austin Police Association, sued the city of Austin on Tuesday, seeking to stop the police monitor from looking at internal affairs records or attending interviews relating to complaints about police behavior in 2018. The police union is seeking a temporary restraining order […]
Posted inWhispers
Fisher joins Adler’s staff
Ashley Fisher has joined the staff of Mayor Steve Adler as a policy adviser. Fisher has considerable City Hall experience, having served as an aide to Council Member Pio Renteria and former Council Member Bill Spelman. In addition, Fisher has worked as a planner in Austin Resource Recovery, and she served as interim publisher of […]
Posted inPlanning
Catellus on shortlist to develop Colony Park
The city has taken a big step toward selecting Catellus Development Corp. as the master developer for the Colony Park development in East Austin. Catellus, the company chosen in late 2004 to be the master developer for the Mueller community, is the only developer on the city’s shortlist to develop the 208 acres on Decker […]
Posted inCity Council
Council puts off decision on digital contract
Faced with the question of whether to approve a digital education contract for an out-of-town bidder chosen by city staff or extend the contract of a tried-and-true local company, Austin Free-Net, City Council decided last week to postpone the decision. Council Member Leslie Pool flagged the item for discussion, saying she did not understand why […]