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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Most Popular Stories
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Stories by Mark Richardson
Ethics Review Commission reprimands Almanza
The Ethics Review Commission has issued a reprimand to District 3 City Council candidate Susana Almanza for violations of the city campaign finance law. The panel, acting on a complaint filed by Austin activist Stephan Wray, found at a special…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Sep 9, 2014
Commissioners approve new county parking plan
After a long and sometimes emotional hearing Tuesday, a divided Travis County Commissioners Court approved a new parking program that did not include a “loyalty” zone reserved mainly for long-term employees. Under the new plan, many employees would lose their…
Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Sep 3, 2014
AG's opinion could revive battle over bag ban
A Texas attorney general’s opinion issued late Friday could revive a long-running battle over the banning of single-use plastic bags from stores in Austin and a handful of other cities in Texas. An opinion signed by Attorney General Greg Abbott…
Environment • By Mark Richardson • Sep 2, 2014
LCRA finalizes sale of 18 small water systems to Corix Utilities
The Lower Colorado River Authority has closed the sale of 18 of its former small water/wastewater systems to Corix Utilities Texas, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based Corix Utilities. Officials gave no price for the transaction. LCRA officials announced in 2010 that…
Resources • By Mark Richardson • Aug 5, 2014
Downtown, central city make up core of compact District 9
District 9, which encompasses the central core of the city, has changed as rapidly over the past decade as any other part of Austin. From stately older neighborhoods to gleaming downtown high-rises to a new urban enclave, the district embodies…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 22, 2014
Politically active District 10 the home of Austin’s establishment, and more
Of all the districts carved out of the city by the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, District 10 is the one that best represents “establishment Austin.” The area is made of up neighborhoods nestled in the spectacular hills west of downtown…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 22, 2014
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Five residents seek to represent Southwest Austin’s District 8
If you are looking for wide-open spaces and lots of nature, Council District 8 if your kind of place. The Southwest Austin district has the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and other assets such as the Barton Creek…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 18, 2014
Bray loans campaign $50K to top District 8 money
The new City Council District 8 has transportation as its foremost issue, and campaign contributors are giving generously to try to elect a candidate that can get City Hall to pay attention to Southwest Austin. While businessman Darrell Pierce got…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 18, 2014
Casar dominates fundraising in Council District 4 race
District 4 has a wealth of candidates, but only a handful of them brought in significant campaign contributions for the upcoming Council election. Greg Casar, the community organizer with the Workers Defense Project, pulled in just over $40,000, with a…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 18, 2014
Almanza, McGhee lead in fundraising in crowded District 3 race
District 3, listed as the poorest among the city’s 10 parts, has produced a large pool of candidates vying to represent them. One of those candidates, however, has decided not to continue his race. Miguel Ancira, a senior coordinator for…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 16, 2014
Seven seek City Council seat for District 7
District 7 is a tale of two neighborhoods: one is an established North Central area sandwiched between two high-volume traffic arteries, and the other a more recently developed suburban region, still looking for the city to provide pools, parks and…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Jul 16, 2014
Republican voters likely to dominate District 6 elections
As Austin neighborhoods go, those drawn into District 6 are farthest from City Hall, certainly in distance, and perhaps in philosophy. In fact, District 6 is the only one of the 10 new political subdivisions that voted solidly Republican in…