Lobbyist Richard Suttle surprised most observers Tuesday by asking City Council to postpone a decision on whether to allow his client, Decker Lake Golf LLC, to create a PGA-style golf complex at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. The request came when Mayor Lee Leffingwell called upon Suttle to speak during Council’s work session. City staff […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics, Monitor News & Media
Adler maintains lead in new Austin Monitor poll
According to a poll conducted this week among 942 likely Austin voters, mayoral candidate and attorney Steve Adler maintains a commanding lead over his runoff opponent, City Council Member Mike Martinez. When asked who they would be likely to vote for in the Dec. 16 runoff election, 56 percent of respondents said Adler, compared to […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Energy, Environment, Resources
Austin Energy, activists agree on generation plan
After three months of intense negotiations, officials with the city’s electric utility and members of environmental groups — including, most prominently, the Sierra Club — have reached agreement on a proposed 2025 generation plan for Austin Energy. That plan includes ramping down use of the coal-fired Fayette Power Plant in 2020 with an eye to […]
Posted inWhispers
Busy campaign party night tonight
A number of notable former public officials are among the list of hosts for a fundraising party for District 10 candidate Sheri Gallo tonight at the Headliners Club. They include former Mayors Bruce Todd (1991-1997), Lee Cooke (1988-91) and Ron Mullen (1983-1985) as well as Gallo’s father, former Mayor Pro Tem Edgar Perry (1962-63). Travis […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin Energy, activists negotiate on plan
Austin Energy is currently negotiating with renewable energy activists to reach agreement on a generation plan for the utility that will satisfy those who are seeking to reduce Austin’s carbon emissions as well as utility customers who worry about future price increases. Utility spokesman Robert Cullick told the Monitor on Tuesday, “I can confirm that we […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Two-page ad attacks political consultant Butts
A two-page color ad in Sunday’s Austin American-Statesman, headlined “Invisible man controls the Austin City Council,” attacks political consultant David Butts and calls on voters to reject some candidates Butts supports in the Dec. 16 runoff election. The ad says, “Did you ever wonder why, no matter how much we vote for change in the […]
Posted inWhispers
Doggett, Eckhardt hosting party for Scruggs
With their own elections squared away, Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Travis County Judge-elect Sarah Eckhardt have time to help fellow Democrats. They will be hosting a fundraiser for District 8 candidate Ed Scruggs, a Democrat who is running against Republican Ellen Troxclair in the Dec. 16 runoff. The party will be at the home of […]
Posted inWhispers
Democrats endorse … Democrats
The Travis County Democratic Party announced Tuesday that it is officially endorsing the Democrats running in each of four Austin City Council runoff races as well as the Democrat running for AISD Trustee in District 1. County Democratic Party Chair Jan Soifer will hold a City Hall news conference at noon today to discuss the […]
Posted inWhispers
Boyt campaign points out Pool tax problem
District 7 candidate Jeb Boyt’s campaign has complained that his opponent, Leslie Pool, “has been skirting the law to cut her tax payments.” The complaint stems from Pool claiming a homestead exemption on a home she owns on Shoal Creek Boulevard. Her domestic partner, Will Grover, owns a rental property on Fleetwood Drive in South […]
Posted inWhispers
Activist questions DAA’s political donations
At last week’s City Council meeting, activist Brian Rodgers complained about the Downtown Austin Alliance, which is supported by tax money through a special downtown property assessment. Rodgers said the DAA gave $440,000 to the political action committee supporting the recent failed bond election for urban rail. Rodgers said the job of the alliance is […]
Posted inCity Council, Environment, Parks, Resources, Water
Water worries derail Decker Lake golf course vote
Worries about water — and Central Texas’ persistent drought — have derailed, at least temporarily, plans for the Decker Lake golf course. After hearing concerns from Austin Water Utility Director Greg Meszaros, City Council voted 7-0 to postpone consideration of an agreement to turn over 735 acres of parkland for development of a high-end golf […]
Posted inWhispers
Rep. Doggett to campaign with Casar
Austin’s popular Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett has thrown himself into the City Council District 4 runoff in support of Greg Casar. Casar led in the Nov. 4 election over his runoff opponent, Laura Pressley. Casar garnered 38.6 percent of the vote as compared to Pressley’s 21.5 percent in a field of eight candidates. In a […]