Travis County Judge Andy Brown’s past three years of service have been a lesson in navigating disaster. In his State of the County speech last week, he recalled his term being host to a time when the Austin-Travis County area was hit with “a once-in-a-century pandemic, two historic winter storms, destructive wildfires and an increasingly […]
Nick Erichson
Posted inPublic Health
Central Health board focuses on equity as it expands access to specialty care
Following a 2018 performance review, Travis County hospital district Central Health analyzed the county health care system, searching for service gaps among its target safety-net population. The county queried its population’s access to eight lines of service, from primary to specialty and dental care. The report returned checkered in bright red, reporting severe or moderate-to-severe gaps in every […]
Posted inEnvironment
New report showcases Travis County’s sustainability efforts
Issued annually ahead of Earth Day, Travis County’s report on its own sustainability efforts highlights a host of victories this year – including expanding recycling services, improving energy consumption and facilities practices, implementing staff programming and trainings, and enhancing sustainable relationships with vendors. On Tuesday, the Travis County Sustainability Program presented its Internal County Sustainability […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Travis County Diversion Center moves forward
The Travis County jail system is the single largest mental health care provider in the county area, and arrests across all categories have been rising since 2021. Since 2023, the Travis County Commissioners Court – in an effort spearheaded by County Judge Andy Brown – has sought to construct a mental health diversion center to […]
Posted inCourts
ACLU sues Travis County for failing to provide legal counsel
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a class action lawsuit against Travis County for its failure to provide arrestees access to a court-appointed lawyer preceding their first hearing before a judge, known as counsel at first appearance, or CAFA. CAFA is intended to assist jailed individuals who cannot afford a private lawyer for work […]
Posted inHousing
County backs $7.2M SAFE Alliance housing in East Austin
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court dedicated $7.2 million toward a supportive housing development called the Lancaster, a 60-unit complex that will provide respite for people experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The development is a project of the SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit serving survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and […]
Posted inTravis County
During Social Work Month, county commissioners discuss the field’s low average salaries
On March 26, Travis County Commissioners Court declared March 2024 “Social Work Month” under the proclamation “Empowering Social Workers.” The proclamation recognized the vital contributions of social workers in shaping policy, promoting systems of equality and diversity, confronting the increasing demand for mental health services and confronting economic inequality on multiple fronts. It also noted […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County approves tax breaks for child care providers
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a 100 percent property tax break to qualifying child care centers in the county. The decision comes close on the city of Austin’s heels; the city passed a similar break in January and was the first city in Texas to do so after the passage of […]
Posted inAustin
New report quantifies the state of Black life in Austin
On March 11, the community organization Austin Justice Coalition and data activism nonprofit Measure jointly released a report titled “The State of Black Lives in Austin.” Drawing on Austin Justice Coalition’s deep community ties and Measure’s statistical expertise, the dossier’s 64 pages condemn the city of Austin for its failure to invest in and address […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County approves ambitious ‘Marshall Plan’ for northeast planning district
According to Travis County commissioners and staff, eastern Travis County has long been blighted. Lack of investment and economic opportunities along with displacement and systemic racism have left the area systemically impoverished. In 2024, after years of dilapidation in the area, Travis County and the city of Austin have set their sights on changing – […]
Posted inPublic Health
Central Health to spend millions on opioid abatement
Central Health, Travis County’s hospital district serving low-income residents, is due to receive over $3 million from the state’s opioid abatement trust fund this spring. An allocation of nearly $10 million more – largely “front-loaded” – will be disbursed over the next 18 years. In their Strategic Planning Committee Meeting on March 6, administrators, medical […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Plumbing problems could cost the county $4 million
On Tuesday, a coalition of Travis County staff appeared before the Commissioners Court requesting funding for a derelict section of plumbing in the Travis County Jail. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office and Travis County Planning and Budget Office requested $150,000 for an “engineering assessment” of the scope of work necessary to repair the jail’s plumbing […]