Travis County’s illegal dumping problem could be solved with a quick fix, a recent study suggests. By spending more on preemptive measures, the county could save money and prevent illegal dumping, thus solving two problems with a single stroke. At last Thursday’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, the Institute for Government Innovation at […]
Seth Smalley
Posted inElections
Travis County Judge speaks out against Texas voting law
Last Thursday, Travis County Judge Andy Brown joined a U.S. House subcommittee, Committee on House Administration, to speak against Senate Bill 1, the new Republican voting legislation aimed at limiting the effectiveness of alternative voting methods like voting by mail. The hearing, called Voting in America: Ensuring Free and Fair Access to the Ballot, offered […]
Posted inBudget
Compensation Committee suggests countywide pay increases
On Tuesday, Travis County’s Compensation Committee recommended funding a benchmark study to examine and eventually implement competitive pay rates for over 100 county jobs, in addition to an across-the-board pay scale increase for the 2023 fiscal year. The two recommendations were already approved by commissioners during discussion about budget drivers, and will cost the county […]
Posted inTransportation
Roadway changes coming soon to a transit corridor near you
Transit authorities convened Wednesday morning to announce several long-anticipated city changes to clear the way for the Orange and Blue lines, two stretches of light rail that are part of Project Connect, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s multibillion-dollar transit infrastructure project. The changes in question? Left turns are going away at many of the intersections that […]
Posted inElections
Shea cruises to Precinct 2 win
Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea defended her eight-year commissionership last night, resoundingly winning the Precinct 2 primary – and de facto the entire election given the substantial Democratic majority in Travis County – by fending off progressive challenger Bob Libal. “I am honored to have the support of so many of the voters in Precinct […]
Posted inHousing
Austin, Travis County aim to add tens of thousands of new units to meet demand
As population and living demands explode in the greater Austin area, the Travis County Commissioners Court is grappling with the twin issues of affordable housing and housing needs. Seventy-thousand new units are needed in Austin and Travis County over the next five years to keep pace with population growth, the county projects, while the Commissioners […]
Posted inPublic Health
County, city agree to establish joint public health commission
On Tuesday, with staff’s recommendation, a solid majority of the Travis County Commissioners Court voted in favor of joining the city of Austin to create a joint public health commission. The motion comes as many in the community criticize the work of Central Health, which was created in 2004 by the voters of Travis County. […]
Posted inTransit
Cap Metro service changes disproportionately affect poor people
During last week’s board meeting, Capital Metro officials revealed poor populations were more affected by service changes in certain commuter lines. However, due to existing alternate routes, the transit agency plans to keep the changes in place. The analysis examined specific bus route reductions and adjustments implemented by the transit agency over the last few […]
Posted inRoads
Multiple street closures proposed to upgrade drainage infrastructure
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court presided over the public hearings about two proposed traffic restrictions – one five-day restriction on Priem Lane and monthlong restriction on Gregg Lane, both starting March 14. Both proposed closures relate to repairing road drainage infrastructure. The Priem Lane closure is necessary to finish the work of replacing […]
Posted inTravis County
New perk just dropped for all county employees: Paid family leave
The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday that marks the first steps toward bringing paid family leave to every county employee. While the policy won’t immediately go into effect, a subcommittee will return to the court in two months with recommendations for the policy; however, the language of the resolution essentially guarantees […]
Posted inPublic Health
Pharmaceutical opioid companies pay out – but will it be enough?
The Travis County Commissioners Court received a legal briefing Tuesday on County of Travis v. Purdue Pharma, a yearslong case brought by Travis County and a host of other plaintiffs against a number of manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceutical opioids, including Purdue Pharma. Last month, multiple defendants in the opioid litigation entered a number of […]
Posted inPublic Health
Vaccine effort continues in Travis County with focus on first doses
The Travis County Commissioners Court held a regular briefing Tuesday on the county’s response to Covid-19 and its ongoing vaccine distribution efforts. Several representatives spoke on behalf of independent and governmental organizations, including Central Texas Allied Health Institute, the County Constable’s Office and the FUSE program, which are partnering with the county. “The goal of […]