Local Politics
Updated: Austin4All kicks off its ongoing petition drive
Two weeks after it announced it had gathered enough signatures to force the recall of City Council Member Ann Kitchen, 12 days after a prominent local lawyer filed an ethics complaint against it and nine days after it formally filed…
Local Politics • By Caleb Pritchard • Feb 18, 2016
Mystery surrounds Kitchen recall petition
As Mike Blizzard describes it, Wednesday morning began like any other. Then came a knock at his door. “A lot of people come through the neighborhood trying to get you to replace your windows, and I thought that’s who it…
Austin • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 22, 2016
Confederate flag controversy rains on Veterans Day Parade
At Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, a controversy over the Confederate flag led to high drama replete with stirring statements and ultimately one official’s public resignation from an independent committee. County Veterans Services Officer Olie Pope told the commissioners…
Local Politics • By Caleb Pritchard • Nov 4, 2015
In, out and on the fence: Changes roil race for sheriff
With less than six months until the party primary elections in March, the race for Travis County sheriff is still fitfully taking shape, with one candidate joining the field, another leaving and one major surprise headline developing that could completely…
Elections • By Caleb Pritchard • Sep 11, 2015
Austin Monitor Radio: The 84th Lege and local municipalities
TravCo IGR honcho Deece Eckstein joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about the local municipal impact of laws passed (and not) by the just-ended 84th Texas Legislature.
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Jun 8, 2015
Zimmerman appointments given a rough ride
Following their rejection of two of Council Member Don Zimmerman’s nominees to city commissions, City Council members narrowly approved his appointment to the Historic Landmark Commission Thursday. However, they did not have to go through the painful process of removing…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Apr 17, 2015
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Explainer: Zim's bill on housing scoring heads to State Lege Council
The Explainer offers a closer look at stories we have been following. This week, Don Zimmerman’s ongoing effort to change the way federal housing subsidies are awarded. City Council Member Don Zimmerman has displayed a certain … distaste for subsidized…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Mar 2, 2015
Texas mayors take aim at Legislature's tax caps
Austin Mayor Steve Adler and the mayors of nine other large Texas cities came together Monday to declare their intention to fight any proposal to diminish local government control, especially cities’ authority to set tax rates. The idea of a…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Feb 17, 2015
Explainer: Open Meetings and the new Council
On their way to postponing an item that would have allowed Mayor Steve Adler to fund office staff positions via dollars raised by a 501(c)3 organization, Austin City Council members Thursday expressed a handful of concerns. As Kara Nuzback reported…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Feb 16, 2015
Not all firefighters support pulling RFP
The president of the Austin African-American Firefighters Association told the Austin Monitor that the city would be making a mistake if it stops the RFP process for a plan to recruit new firefighters and returns to the negotiating table, as set…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Feb 5, 2015
Austin Monitor Radio: Early Days of the New Council
Austin Chronicle News Editor Michael King and Monitor Editor Liz Pagano join Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin to talk early days of the new, 10-1 Austin City Council. Brought to you by Kerby Lane Cafe. The show is embedded below.
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Feb 5, 2015
Travis County talks appraisals, city business
In a discussion on state legislative proposals aimed at increasing fairness in property tax appraisals for homeowners, several Travis County commissioners called out City of Austin leaders for not implementing a 20 percent homestead exemption for property taxes. Commissioner Gerald…
