Each week the Explainer offers a closer look at stories we have been following. This week examines the relative costs of getting elected to Austin City Council in 2014. The 2014 Council election was, of course, the most expensive in city history. New Mayor Steve Adler alone spent around $1.5 million over the span of his […]
Local Politics
Posted inAustin, Budget, City Council, Local Politics
Council members consider cutting their own pay
On Thursday, as one of their first official acts as an elected body, City Council members will consider taking an action that could reduce their salaries. Specifically, the resolution on Thursday’s agenda directs the city manager to change the current office budgeting structure to allow Council members to decrease their individual compensation and shift funds […]
Posted inCity Hall, Environment, Local Politics, Resources, Texas State Legislature
City orders study on bag ban that state may toss
Amid concerns that state leadership will take steps to limit city ordinances such as Austin’s plastic bag ban, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission has instructed city staff to study the ban in time to send the results to the state legislature. The commission unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday requesting that the Austin Resource Recovery Department […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety, Texas State Legislature
GOP wants to restore Secure Communities program
A recent agreement between the City of Austin and Travis County over booking services at the county jail could be in jeopardy if congressional Republicans succeed in reversing President Obama’s executive orders on immigration policy. House Republicans voted out a bill Wednesday to fund the Homeland Security department that would defund the president’s immigration program. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Council wraps up orientation, plans policy review
With their first full meeting less than two weeks away, members of the new City Council laid out a plan Thursday to study up on city policy. As a starting point, Council members were asked to consider a plan that had policy workshops taking place once or twice a week, with the last workshop being […]
Posted inAustin, Local Government, Local Politics, Texas State Legislature
Local state reps talk turkey at RECA luncheon
On Wednesday, Rep. Paul Workman (R-Austin) and state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) gave members of the Real Estate Council of Austin a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Despite the partisan gap, the two representatives found some common ground during the preview. Though they mostly focused on different topics, both addressed issues that could impact Austin […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Local Politics
Fate of Crestview land parcel remains in limbo
Though the fate of an Austin Energy-owned parcel of land in the Crestview neighborhood remains uncertain, there was an update about 6909 Ryan Drive last month. Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey wrote the Dec. 10 memo that provided an update on the land, though nothing will be done without City Council initiating action. […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Explainer: D6 & D10 — elections and the future
Each week, the Explainer offers Monitor readers a closer look at stories we have been following. New City Council Members Sheri Gallo (District 10) and Don Zimmerman (District 6) represent two-thirds of what is perhaps the most interesting twist in the new 10-1 district system: a chance for Republican voters in the western part of […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Travis County Commissioners 1-13, 1-15
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in regular session and at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in a work session. In the interest of space, we have decided not to post the entire agendas here. The County Clerk’s office posts a copy at its website. Items of interest for Commissioners Court include: 3. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
New Council plans change to meetings, committees
Wasting no time, Austin’s newly inaugurated City Council launched into a proposal Thursday to change its meetings and committee structures. The changes, members say, will make for a more efficient, more transparent city government. For now, the details of the change remain tentative. Council will hold a public hearing Jan. 22 to discuss the change […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Adler wants group to study campaign finance rules
New Austin Mayor Steve Adler wants a group of reform-minded citizens to consider whether Austin needs to tweak its campaign finance rules. He has already talked to attorney Fred Lewis about helping with the project. Lewis, with a background in campaign finance reform, is the leader of Texans Together, which works to foster grass-roots activism. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Leffingwell says new Council will face challenges
Lee Leffingwell has now retired after serving for four years on the Austin City Council and nearly six years as mayor. The Austin Monitor recently asked him to talk about his favorite part of the job. “I tell people all the time the best part of the job is representing the city of Austin,” he […]