At its June 25 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court took a step toward expanding access to early childhood care and after-school services for low-income residents, setting Aug. 13 for a public hearing on a proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate increase election this November to fund those services. The idea began in May, when commissioners […]
Lina Fisher
Posted inEnvironment
Meadows Center receives $500,000 to study link between climate change and polluted beaches
If you’re considering a trip to the coast this summer, maybe think again: Texas beaches have a poo problem. In 2021, Environment Texas published a study that found 90 percent of the state’s beaches contained dangerous pathogens found in fecal matter. (Especially avoid Cole Park Beach in Corpus Christi.) So this week, Austin’s U.S. Rep. […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Stakeholders urge county to hurry up on implementing legal defense at bail hearings
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, a coalition of people impacted by the justice system, community organizers and county staff gathered to urge commissioners to develop a permanent program allowing people who have just been arrested to have lawyers at their bail hearings before they’re booked in the county jail – also […]
Posted inTransportation
Airport Advisory Commission accepts FAA grants for airport expansion
On June 12, the Airport Advisory Commission heard a slew of good news from Austin’s Department of Aviation staff. For one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation, a series of improvements are on their way – chief among them, up to $500 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration over the next three […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County partners with Texas Water Development Board on flood planning
Excessive rain isn’t typically something Austinites are concerned about in this drought-stricken era, but our region is unfortunately prone to catastrophic floods, too. Luckily, the first-ever statewide flood plan is set to be taken up by the Legislature – and Travis County is at work on its own Master Flood Plan with help from a […]
Posted inEMS
Travis County approves comprehensive study of emergency services
At its meeting Tuesday, June 4, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to earmark up to $400,000 toward providing better emergency medical services to areas of the county outside of Austin. In a presentation to commissioners, Travis County’s executive for emergency services, Chuck Brotherton, said the county’s rapid growth and ongoing cost increases in […]