Travis County Pct. 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about SH45, property tax appraisals, the potential new Travis County Civil and Family Courthouse and more. This podcast version includes a bonus discussion about water policy. Sponsored by Kerby Lane Cafe. The show is embedded below: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/188386980″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ […]
Michael Kanin
Mike Kanin is the Publisher of the Austin Monitor. As such, he doesn't report on much--aside from the workings of the Monitor--any more. In his previous life as a freelance journalist, Kanin has written for the Washington City Paper, the Washington Post's Express, the Boston Herald, Boston's Weekly Dig, the Austin Chronicle, and the Texas Observer.
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Explainer: The long saga of the Garza Ranch case
Each week, the Explainer offers a closer look at stories we have been following. This week we look at the Garza Ranch. As part of their very first for-real, no-net meeting this week, Austin City Council members are set to consider a lingering portion of what has, to date, been one of the City of […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council 1.27 & 1.29
The brand new 10-1 Austin City Council has its first major agenda to deal with this week. At 52 items, this one doesn’t even register on the immediate past Council’s major agenda radar. Still, concerns from at least one Council office over what might previously have been considered routine purchasing items and, what late Friday […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Isabelle Headrick on Source of Income
Isabelle Headrick of Accessible Housing Austin joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about the City of Austin’s Source of Income discrimination ban. Program is embedded below. Sponsored by Kerby Lane Cafe. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/187328690″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Explainer: What it cost to run for Council in 2014
Each week the Explainer offers a closer look at stories we have been following. This week examines the relative costs of getting elected to Austin City Council in 2014. The 2014 Council election was, of course, the most expensive in city history. New Mayor Steve Adler alone spent around $1.5 million over the span of his […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Housing, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: The Austin Apartment Association and Source of Income
The Austin Apartment Association’s Robbie Robinson joins Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin to discuss recent Council legislation that banned the use of source of income as a means to deny tenant occupancy and the organization’s opposition to the move. Embedded below. Austin Monitor Radio is sponsored by Kerby Lane Cafe. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/186198266″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Explainer: D6 & D10 — elections and the future
Each week, the Explainer offers Monitor readers a closer look at stories we have been following. New City Council Members Sheri Gallo (District 10) and Don Zimmerman (District 6) represent two-thirds of what is perhaps the most interesting twist in the new 10-1 district system: a chance for Republican voters in the western part of […]
Posted inAustin, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: 2014 Year in Review
Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin and Editor Elizabeth Pagano discuss some of the key stories of 2014. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/184441193″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Council Member Kathie Tovo
Your Monitor team is catching up on a couple of radio show posts. Here, Austin City Council Member (and Member-elect) Kathie Tovo shares thoughts on the next Austin City Council. Posted below: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/184439997″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inAustin, Bonds & Propositions, Courts, Development, Elections, Environment, Local Politics, Public Safety, Resources
2014: An Austin Monitor review
This past year was a dynamic one in Austin, and though the future promises to be just as interesting, at the close of 2014 we invite you to take a trip back over the past 12 months. Though a lot went on in the city and this list is far from comprehensive, from our ever-particular […]
Posted inMonitor News & Media
Publisher’s Note: Hello 2015
This space has mostly been used for incremental updates on a few stats that we feel illustrate our progress. And I’ll get to that. But first, I’d like to offer you all a peek at a few planned content upgrades for 2015. Shortly after the New Year, we’ll roll out a section we’re calling the […]
Posted inAustin, City Charter, City Council, Local Politics
For Martinez, 10-1 dominated 2014
Council Member Mike Martinez is fresh off a campaign for mayor, one where he did his level best to bring up big-picture issues. Indeed, as many have reported, affordability and transportation became key notes in the campaign. Still, when he sat down to talk with the Monitor about the past year, the very first thing […]