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- U.S. accuses six landlords of rent price fixing. See which apartments they own in Austin.
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Local Politics
Candidates battle at United Way mayor forum
Five of the eight candidates vying for Austin mayor met at the South Alamo Drafthouse for the United Way of Greater Austin Mayoral Forum on Wednesday, where they took time to talk affordability, child care, education and, despite the tone…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 4, 2014
Environmental Democrats back rail, 3 candidates
Even though a majority of the City Council candidates asking for their support said they are opposed to the rail and road proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot, members of the Austin Environmental Democrats enthusiastically endorsed Proposition 1 on Wednesday.…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Sep 4, 2014
Mayor's boyhood home set to become landmark
Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s South Austin boyhood home is one step closer to Historic Landmark status. Last week, the Planning Commission sent a positive recommendation to City Council for 910 Christopher Street in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood to be rezoned as…
Development • By Neil Perleberg • Sep 3, 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
Firefighters issue four Council endorsements
The Austin Firefighters Association began announcing its endorsements for City Council Tuesday, beginning with two of its own, Council Member Mike Martinez, who is running for mayor, and District 2 candidate Delia Garza. The group also chose Council Member Chris…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Sep 3, 2014
Few speakers return for delayed budget hearings
Affordability and equity topped the list of concerns that citizens raised Friday during public hearings on the budget, tax rate and utility rates for Fiscal Year 2015. The majority of citizens who had signed up to speak during the hearings…
Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 2, 2014
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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
Update: Council motion to reconsider fails, business group reacts to new mandate
Late Friday afternoon, Council Member Bill Spelman asked his colleagues to reconsider their actions on a resolution by Council Member Chris Riley that instructs Austin Energy to greatly increase their renewable resources — specifically solar — and work toward eliminating…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Aug 29, 2014
Acevedo predicts changes to deportation program
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told the Monitor on Thursday that he believes the focus of the federal Secure Communities Program could change by the end of 2014. Speaking after he briefed the Council on a proposed new city booking facility, Acevedo…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Aug 29, 2014
Butler Park Pitch and Putt stays in family
Though the terms have yet to be hashed out, the Kinser family will continue operating Butler Park Pitch and Putt, as they have for the past 64 years. “Shame on us for letting it go so long without raising the…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 29, 2014
Riley resolution passes in chaotic Council finish
Update: An Austin Energy official told the Monitor early Friday morning that they had left Council chambers for home after Council members passed a resolution to recess the meeting until noon today. A twisting, chaotic end to Austin City Council’s…
Environment • By Michael Kanin • Aug 29, 2014
Candidates talk transportation at mayoral forum
Though Austin residents can only vote for one Council member to represent their geographic district this Election Day, everyone in the city gets a say in who becomes the next mayor. Five of those in the running showed up for the…