Less than 24 hours after being sworn in to office as the new District 6 representative, City Council Member Don Zimmerman had his lawsuit against the Austin Bulldog dismissed and was ordered to pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Zimmerman filed the lawsuit in October, alleging libel in an article published by the Bulldog written by […]
Local Politics
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
District 8’s Troxclair vows to be accessible leader
New City Council Member Ellen Troxclair won the District 8 seat by less than half a percentage point. Now, fresh from vacation, she said she’s ready to hit the ground running. “I’m so humbled to be in the position I am and to have the support and faith of the people in District 8,” she […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Local Politics
Tovo talks about 2014 and takes a look ahead
As the only incumbent returning to join the new 10-1 City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo could play a pivotal role this year, convincing others to share her point of view. Then again, she could continue as a minority voice as she often has in the last couple of years, particularly in land use and […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
District 10’s Gallo to focus on transparency in 2015
District 10 City Council Member Sheri Gallo was sworn in Tuesday evening, along with the rest of Austin’s new 10-1 Council. Gallo, a longtime resident of the area, boasts a 35-year background in residential real estate and a legacy of civic engagement through her involvement with the Settlement Club, the Housing Authority of Austin and […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
New Council members sworn in, ready for work
Both the dais and City Hall were filled Tuesday night, when all 11 members of Austin’s new City Council were sworn in to office. Former Mayor Lee Leffingwell opened the ceremony by noting it was the first time there had been a single-member district Council since 1905. “Welcome to the Peoples’ Home,” said Council Member […]
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Source of Income ordinance blocked, for now
A federal judge Tuesday temporarily blocked the implementation of a city ordinance that aims to expand housing options for low-income residents who use housing vouchers. The so-called Source of Income Ordinance was scheduled to go into effect Jan. 12. However, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks stayed the implementation of the ordinance until he holds a […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Partisan politics arise at new Commissioners Court
Travis County Commissioners met for the first time Tuesday with new County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Pct. 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea on the court. The spirit of cooperation and goodwill present when the new court convened lasted about an hour before partisan politics emerged. During a discussion of commissioner appointments to various boards and commissions, Shea tried […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Pool excited to tackle a wide array of issues
As a longtime managed growth advocate, District 7 City Council Member Leslie Pool has developed a succinct metaphor to explain her position on the issue. “I have likened Austin’s economic development since the last recession to trying to drink water out of a fire hose,” she told the Austin Monitor last month. “I’d like to […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Zimmerman seeks to shake things up at City Hall
City Council Member-elect Don Zimmerman will serve as a voice for residents of District 6 when the new 10-1 Council takes office today. In the coming year, Zimmerman said he plans to focus his efforts on relieving traffic congestion and shaking up the status quo at City Hall. Zimmerman said that in his first days […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Kitchen says Council meeting reform is top priority
Though District 5 City Council Member-elect Ann Kitchen ranks affordability, transportation and growth management as her top citywide issues this year, she believes that the new Council should start by streamlining its legislative process. “My first priority is to change how we work with the public,” Kitchen told the Austin Monitor. “I think we immediately […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Ethics complaint against APD Chief moves forward
An ethics complaint against Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo is moving forward. The complaint, which was filed by Jermaine A. Hopkins, alleges that Acevedo failed to file a public financial disclosure statement for 2012 by the April 2013 deadline, as is required under city code. Hopkins is a former Austin Police officer who was fired […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Renteria is ready to work on issues in District 3
District 3 City Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria came out of a crowded field of about a dozen candidates and won a runoff over his sister, Susana Almanza, to represent the central-east district with a majority of Hispanic constituents. Following his victory, Renteria says he plans to hit the ground running at City Hall, looking […]