About the Author
Mark Richardson is a multimedia journalist, editor and writer who has worked in digital, print and broadcast media for three decades. He is a nationally recognized editor and reporter who has covered government, politics and the environment. A journalism graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, he was recently awarded a Foundation for Investigative Journalism grant and has three Associated Press Managing Editors awards for excellence in reporting.
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Stories by Mark Richardson
Prosecutors ask for extra staff to meet regulations
Told by the County Attorney David Escamilla and District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg that Travis County’s judicial system is in a crisis, County Commissioners Tuesday approved advertising for additional paralegals to help prosecutors comply with the Michael Morton Act. The Michael…
Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Dec 17, 2014
Some Commissioners question incentive deals
Travis County Commissioners reviewed the county’s economic development agreements last week, and despite the fact that they bring billions of dollars in investments and create thousands of jobs, some members of the court wonder whether the county really needs such…
Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Dec 15, 2014
Adler, Martinez highlight differences in forum
Just 10 days away from the Dec. 16 runoff election, mayoral candidates Steve Adler and Mike Martinez worked hard Sunday to put some daylight between their positions on a number of key issues, including affordability, transportation, taxes and budgets. KUT,…
Austin • By Mark Richardson • Dec 8, 2014
Anti-lobby complaint filed on Long Park golf plan
A complaint filed Thursday with the City of Austin alleges violations of the city’s No-Contact Rule between the developers of the proposed Walter E. Long Park golf courses and city employees. Community activist Brian Rodgers filed the complaint after obtaining…
Austin • By Mark Richardson • Dec 5, 2014
County OKs Land Water and Transportation Plan
Despite the fact that Texas counties have very little real control over how unincorporated land is developed, Travis County is giving it its best effort, as Commissioners approved a comprehensive Land Water and Transportation Plan on Tuesday. The plan, the…
Development • By Mark Richardson • Dec 3, 2014
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Commissioners delay Central Health appointments
Travis County Commissioners, after finding out there were almost 40 applicants to choose among, decided Tuesday to bring the two new members of the court into the process to help fill two vacancies on the Central Health board of managers. Based…
Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Nov 26, 2014
Austin, Travis get ready for 84th Texas Legislature
With the specter of dealing with a Texas Legislature that has become even more conservative — if that is possible — with the Nov. 4 election, the City of Austin and Travis County reviewed and approved their respective legislative agendas…
City Hall • By Mark Richardson • Nov 24, 2014
Obama immigration plan may end city-county tiff
It may have taken an executive order, but President Barack Obama seems to have headed off a dispute between the City of Austin and Travis County. The long-standing controversy involving Sheriff Greg Hamilton’s participation in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s…
Local Politics • By Mark Richardson • Nov 21, 2014
Commissioners get $294 million courthouse budget
Travis County Commissioners heard a report Tuesday that the budget to construct the proposed new Civil and Family Courthouse comes in at $294 million. After asking their consultants some pointed questions about how they arrived at that amount, they passed…
Bonds & Propositions • By Mark Richardson • Nov 19, 2014
Commissioners to hear budget for new courthouse
Travis County Commissioners are set to hear a report today on the planned Civil and Family Courthouse project, but there have been protests about the project’s proposed $294 million budget even though the report has yet to be made public.…
Bonds & Propositions • By Mark Richardson • Nov 18, 2014
Judge-elect Eckhardt takes aim at jail video system
Incoming Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt says one of the many items on her “to-do” list when she takes office in January is to take on the county jail’s policy of limiting almost all family visits with inmates to a…