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Local Politics
Council hears feedback on boards and commissions transition
City Council heard opinions last week about a plan to move its massive boards and commissions network to the new 10-1 Council system next year. As anticipated, there were several complaints. The Boards and Commissions Transition Task Force issued its…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 14, 2014
Statesman endorses plan for homestead exemption; Martinez, Cole react
The American-Statesman in its Wednesday edition came out in favor of a 20 percent homestead exemption as proposed by mayoral candidate Steve Adler. The other major contenders, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and Council Member Mike Martinez have criticized Adler’s…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Aug 14, 2014
Council meetings to consider utility fund, rail ballot, flood buyouts
The Austin City Council will hold two special called meetings this week, one Thursday following the Council Committee on Austin Energy, and one Friday at 1p.m. Thursday’s meeting includes consideration of whether to allow the utility to transfer $30 million…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Aug 13, 2014
Ethics Review Commission dismisses complaint against Neslund
The Ethics Review Commission dismissed a complaint Tuesday night that Melissa Neslund should have registered as a lobbyist, after a hearing that chair Austin Kaplan called perhaps the board’s most contentious. A special called meeting of the commission weighed whether…
Local Politics • By Jenny Blair • Aug 13, 2014
Pay raise for Travis County employees in limbo
Travis County elected officials will not get a pay raise next year, following a recommendation by the Planning and Budget Office that the Commissioners Court unanimously approved Tuesday. Other county employees, with few exceptions, will have to wait to find out whether…
Local Politics • By Beth Cortez-Neavel • Aug 13, 2014
Property tax relief hot topic at mayoral forum
During the South Austin Democrats‘ mayoral candidate forum Tuesday night, candidate Steve Adler defended his position in support of a citywide 20 percent homestead tax exemption. Fellow mayoral candidates Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole have blasted Adler’s flat 20 percent…
Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 13, 2014
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Leffingwell keeps his seat on BCCP coordinating committee
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will stay on as the City of Austin’s representative to the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan’s coordinating committee. His presence there — as one of only two representatives — had irked some of his colleagues in the…
Development • By Michael Kanin • Aug 11, 2014
Economic Development Department changing perceptions, funding
Changes are coming to Austin’s Economic Development Department this year, with a new source of revenue and a plan to change the public’s perception of its mission. As the FY2015 budget cycle gets into full swing, the city is in…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 11, 2014
Council OKs $1 billion transportation bond measure
The Austin City Council unanimously approved a $600 million bond proposition Thursday on the Nov. 4 ballot to help fund a rail initiative, while promising to put an additional $400 million into roadway improvements through other means, probably certificates of obligation…
Development • By Natalie Krebs • Aug 8, 2014
Council settles officer-involved shooting case for $1.25 million
The Austin City Council opted Thursday to pay $1.25 million to settle a claim related to an officer-involved shooting that took place last summer. Mayor Lee Leffingwell cast the only dissenting vote in the 6-1 decision. The claim alleged that former Austin Police…
Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Aug 8, 2014
Austin for All coalition brings organization, candidates together
There is a brand-new coalition in Austin to go with our brand-new city government. The group, Austin for All, is a coalition that has formed in order to show “united support for policies that will improve our city.” Members described…
Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 8, 2014
Adler has a good day, but falls short of getting endorsement
Editor Jo Clifton contributed to this report. Although he did not win their endorsement, mayoral candidate Steve Adler had a good day at the Austin Environmental Democrats meeting Wednesday, coming away with 47.5 percent of the vote. His closest rival,…
