In a lawsuit over regulations related to the development of the Statesman PUD, the plaintiff Save Our Springs Alliance, the defendant City of Austin, and the intervener property owner all asked Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer to rule in their favor on Thursday. After nearly 3 hours of arguments, the judge told the lawyers […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inPreservation
Survey says Austin could benefit from promoting historic structures
The city, interested members of the public and HHM & Associates, Inc. have been working on a survey of historic downtown and near downtown buildings, trails and bridges to identify what landmarks might attract history-minded tourists to Austin. The survey includes neighborhoods that are bordered by MoPac on the west, I-35 on the east between […]
Posted inWhispers
SOS, City to face off in court over Statesman PUD
The Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS) and the City of Austin will be in Travis County District Court on Thursday afternoon to joust about what the city may and may not do with the old Statesman site. Almost a year has passed since the Austin Monitor reported that SOS had sued the city over the […]
Posted inWhispers
Travis County vs. City of Austin: This time it’s baseball
Sometimes Austin and Travis County get into a little competition. But it’s not often you see them publicly fight. This Sunday, starting at 2pm, however, Travis County and the City of Austin will face off in a charity baseball game. All proceeds from the sale of tickets will be donated to the Sobering Center. The […]
Posted inWhispers
Neighbors upset about possible zoning changes disrupt meeting
Some tenants of the Acacia Cliffs apartments in Northwest Austin held a press conference outside City Hall Thursday to protest proposed changes to their property, citing the likelihood that the currently affordable apartments will be displaced by less affordable ones. The Acacia Cliffs Tenants Association then carried their demands into City Hall, with a number […]
Posted inWhispers
Lawler takes on a bigger job
John Lawler started his City Hall experience with the newly elected Council Member Greg Casar in 2015. Casar moved on to Congress but Lawler stayed in Austin, working for a variety of jobs, some political, some policy. Now, he’s headed over to the Travis County Clerk’s Office. Recently Lawler has been working for Council Member […]
Posted inWhispers
José Roig retires to take another job
José Roig, who was appointed director of the Development Services Department in June 2023, is moving on. Council presented him with a Distinguished Service Award on Thursday at his last Council meeting. Roig has more than 30 years of experience dedicated to building safety, including 18 years in various leadership roles with the City of […]
Posted inWhispers
Lawler takes on a new job
John Lawler started his City Hall experience with the newly elected Council Member Greg Casar in 2015. Casar moved on to Congress but Lawler stayed in Austin, working for a variety of jobs, some political, some policy. Now, he’s stepping up to take a new job at Travis County. Recently Lawler has been working for […]
Posted inWhispers
José Roig retires to take another job
José Roig, who was appointed director of the Development Services Department in June 2023, is moving on. Council presented him with a Distinguished Service Award on Thursday at his last Council meeting. Roig has more than 30 years of experience dedicated to building safety, including 18 years in various leadership roles with the City of […]
Posted inWhispers
Neighbors upset about possible zoning changes disrupt meeting
Some tenants of the Acacia Cliffs apartments in Northwest Austin held a press conference outside City Hall Thursday to protest proposed changes to their property, citing the likelihood that the currently affordable apartments will be displaced by less affordable ones. The Acacia Cliffs Tenants Association then carried their demands into City Hall, with a number […]
Posted inWhispers
Cornyn announces staff with a jab at Paxton
Texas Senator John Cornyn has announced his campaign team for the 2026 election, warning his major opponent in the Republican primary, “It’s going to be a long, miserable 10 months for Ken Paxton.” The press release says, “We will accurately convey my record in the U.S. Senate and make sure that Texans understand the character […]
Posted inWhispers
Cornyn announces staff with a jab at Paxton
Texas Senator John Cornyn has announced his campaign team for the 2026 election, warning his major opponent in the Republican primary, “It’s going to be a long, miserable 10 months for Ken Paxton.” The press release says, “We will accurately convey my record in the U.S. Senate and make sure that Texans understand the character […]