Mayoral candidate Steve Adler promises to help Austin’s “neglected middle class” in an eight-point affordability agenda that will be released today. The Adler campaign released a copy of that agenda to the Austin Monitor on Monday. This is a brief description of the agenda. No doubt, it will be the source of much controversy in […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
Council to mull purchase of Bull Creek property
City Council members will discuss whether to purchase the state-owned property at 45th Street and Bull Creek Road at 9:30 a.m. today. Council Members Laura Morrison, Kathie Tovo and Bill Spelman are sponsors. With Mayor Lee Leffingwell a definite no and Council Member Mike Martinez seeming to lean that way, the votes of Council Members […]
Posted inWhispers
Stonewall Dems pick Adler, Garza, Renteria
After listening to the candidates for mayor and four of the new City Council district seats, the Austin Stonewall Democrats made the following endorsements last week: for mayor, Steve Adler; District 2, Delia Garza; and District 3, Sabino “Pio” Renteria. There were dual endorsements in two of the races. In District 7, the group endorsed […]
Posted inWhispers
Aquifer district trustee home from hospital
Craig Smith, a member of the board of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, was hospitalized on Saturday, over fears that he had suffered a “small heart attack.” Mary Ann Neely said Smith had gone to the Barton Springs pool, where he swims daily, but was in too much pain to swim and drove himself […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Martinez, Adler bicker over homestead exemption
Mayoral candidate Mike Martinez staged yet another battle in the ongoing war over homestead exemptions Thursday, holding a news conference to attack candidate Steve Adler’s plan and reveal details of his own proposal. “If Steve Adler has his way, the average middle-class renter in Austin will see their cost of living increase by $80 each […]
Posted inWhispers
Stonewall Dems to hold 2nd endorsement session
Stonewall Democrats of Austin will hold a meeting tonight to consider endorsements for five races for City Council. Starting at 6 p.m., the group will hear from candidates for mayor and for Districts 2, 3, 7 and 9. The group will meet at Smith Auditorium of the Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd. This […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Environmental Democrats back rail, 3 candidates
Even though a majority of the City Council candidates asking for their support said they are opposed to the rail and road proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot, members of the Austin Environmental Democrats enthusiastically endorsed Proposition 1 on Wednesday. More than 75 percent of those casting votes on the issue said they favored passage. […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Firefighters issue four Council endorsements
The Austin Firefighters Association began announcing its endorsements for City Council Tuesday, beginning with two of its own, Council Member Mike Martinez, who is running for mayor, and District 2 candidate Delia Garza. The group also chose Council Member Chris Riley for District 9 over fellow incumbent Kathie Tovo and Ora Houston, the apparent front-runner […]
Posted inWhispers
Council committee to hear funding requests
The Council Health and Human Services Committee will hold a special called meeting this afternoon to hear briefings from the nonprofit Colorado River Alliance and from One Voice Central Texas. They will also hear from city staff on their recommendations on funding social service contact requests. One Voice is a group of social service agencies advocating for more […]
Posted inWhispers
Florance takes job at historic commission
Chris Florance is starting his new job today as director of communications for the Texas Historic Commission. Florance had worked for the City of Austin as a public information specialist for the past seven years. Members of the city’s public information staff may feel a little shorthanded with the departure of Florance and Reyne Telles, […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Update: Council motion to reconsider fails, business group reacts to new mandate
Late Friday afternoon, Council Member Bill Spelman asked his colleagues to reconsider their actions on a resolution by Council Member Chris Riley that instructs Austin Energy to greatly increase their renewable resources — specifically solar — and work toward eliminating the Decker Creek Power Plant as a result of the city’s concern about greenhouse gas […]
Posted inWhispers
Clean Water Action touts two endorsements
David Foster, state director for Clean Water Action, announced Thursday that his organization has endorsed Gregorio “Greg” Casar in District 4 and Ann Kitchen in District 5. Noting that District 4 is 65 percent Hispanic and “includes many working class neighborhoods,” Foster said Casar “fully understands that protecting the environment and growing the economy go […]