Austin City Council members Thursday expressed no small amount of skepticism about an economic development incentives deal that would bring a new AthenaHealth Research and Development facility to the former Seaholm Power Plant. Concerns – mostly from Council Members Laura Morrison, Chris Riley and Kathie Tovo – included whether incentivizing the facility’s move to Seaholm […]
Local Politics
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Patsy Woods Martin announces for Mayor; others are waiting
The founder of I Live Here, I Give Here, Patsy Woods Martin, announced late Thursday that she has officially thrown her hat in the ring to be the next Mayor of Austin. Trained as a chemist, Martin, 59, lists herself as a social entrepreneur, mother, wife and community leader. Martin has worked as a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council plans to move on Rob Roy zoning, covenant change
Though a lawsuit is already pending, the City Council will move ahead with a Rob Roy zoning and a change in a restrictive covenant change next week. Before Council looked at the matter Thursday, Rob Roy homeowners Russ and Terri Harris filed suit against the City of Austin and Brandywine Acquisition Partners, LP. That […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Tinkering with city’s over 65 property tax exemption proves tricky
Increasing the City of Austin’s tax exemption for residents 65 and older and the disabled could cost the city a substantial amount in lost revenue. According to Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo, who wrote in a memo in response to requests from Council members during last year’s budget discussion, even a small change […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Public Safety, Uncategorized
Sheriff’s office defends no in-person jail visitation policy
Officials with the Travis County Sheriff’s Department defended their policy Tuesday of limiting family visits with Travis County Jail inmates to a for-profit video visitation system, saying that the change in policy was for security reasons and that video visitation is a “best practice” in the criminal justice industry. The presentation was requested by […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Transportation
Council to consider upping fine for blocking new priority bus lanes
Austin City Council members will consider whether to implement significantly increased fines for vehicles parked illegally in designated transit priority lanes Thursday. The measure would allow traffic officials to impose up to a $500 fine on vehicles left in lanes set aside for Capital Metro’s soon-to-be-unveiled MetroRapid Transit system. The move is aimed squarely at […]
Posted inElections, Local Government, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Still a horse race for Brown, Eckhardt in quest for County Judge spot
The two Democrats battling to replace long-time Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe have raised a combined $464,000 in campaign cash through Dec. 31. Andy Brown and Sarah Eckhardt are waging the first real battle for the top job in Travis County in 16 years. Brown, an attorney, long-time political activist and former chair of […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Travis County approves economic development incentives rules
Finalizing an effort that has been months in the making, the Travis County Commissioners unanimously approved revised economic development incentives for the county Tuesday. “It’s been a struggle working on this and I think we’ve done a pretty good job by involving an array of collaborative efforts with many sources,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Possible candidate Martin spends $50K exploring run for mayor
Presumptive mayoral candidate Patsy Woods Martin has spent more than $50,000 in exploring a run for mayor of Austin next November, according to a campaign finance report filed Wednesday. While candidates are prohibited from raising money prior to six months before their election, they are allowed to explore a candidacy and spend their own money. […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Shea raises more than twice as much as nearest opponent for Pct. 2
When it comes to raising campaign funds, Brigid Shea leads the candidates in the Precinct 2 Travis County Commissioner race, with almost double the amount of contributions given to her two opponents combined. They are running for the seat vacated by Sarah Eckhardt in order to run for County Judge. According to a Campaign […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Travis Commissioners approve fee increases for county parks
Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to raise fees for visitors to Travis County parks, but it is not clear exactly when that hike will happen. Commissioners approved the increase to close a potential budget gap. This is the first adjustment to any county parks’ fees since 2009 and officials say many of the affected […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Public Safety
Commissioners to investigate loss of in-person jail visitation
Several members of the Travis County Commissioners Court say they were caught off guard Tuesday when they were told that in-person family visits at the Travis County Jail have been replaced by a video system. And a majority of commissioners say they are planning to find out why. Representatives of the Texas Civil Rights […]