A Texas law that would have undone local laws was ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge Wednesday, days ahead of when it was slated to take effect. The law, referred to as the “Death Star” bill, would limit cities’ abilities to write laws that don’t conform with state laws that regulate transportation, agriculture, labor […]
Courts
Posted inCourts
City facing new legal challenge over Affordability Unlocked, other rules this week
The 18 plaintiffs who won a judgment against the city of Austin over its attempted rewrite of the Land Development Code in 2020 are going back to court this week. This time, they’ll attempt to overturn city regulations created in response to the need for more housing. Led by Frances Acuña, the group’s members have […]
Posted inDevelopment
Courthouse dining elevated: Veracruz All Natural contracts with county courts facility
Veracruz All Natural, which makes some of Austin’s most acclaimed tacos, will open an outpost downtown to serve the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility. The facility opened earlier this year, with about 2,247 square feet of real estate located on the first floor of 1700 Guadalupe Street. And its cafe space has been […]
Posted inCourts
Federal court rules Austin’s short-term rental rules unlawful
Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra on Tuesday issued a ruling that overturns Austin’s short-term rental ordinance adopted in 2016. The plaintiffs, Robert Anding and his wife, Roberta, filed suit against the city after attempting to register one of their properties as a short-term rental. Because they did not occupy the property as their […]
Posted inCity Council
Council seeks bigger Downtown Austin Community Court budget
City Council last week endorsed adding funds to the budget of the Downtown Austin Community Court and expanding the area served by the court. The court concentrates on providing justice diversion and community services to the city’s homeless population. It currently adjudicates a variety of class C misdemeanors committed in three areas: downtown, the area […]
Posted inCourts
In blistering motion, state seeks limited gag order in Taylor murder trial
In a blistering motion filed last week, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office requested a limited gag order in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor. Taylor is charged with murder in the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos. “The state respectfully requests that the court grant the state’s motion and find that pretrial publicity, […]
Posted inCourts
Taylor murder trial reset for October
The murder trial of Christopher Taylor, the Austin police officer who fatally shot Mike Ramos in 2020, has been reset for October. Travis County District Judge Dayna Blazey announced at a Wednesday hearing that the new date for the trial is Oct. 16. The court’s first attempt at a trial ended in mistrial after four […]
Posted inCourts
Christopher Taylor murder trial to be rescheduled after mistrial
The trial of the Austin police officer accused of murder in the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos ended in a mistrial on Friday. Travis County Judge Dana Blazey is working with prosecutors and the defense team to determine the date for a new trial, which is expected to be announced this week. Blazey declared a […]
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In surprise move, Blazey releases part of Christopher Taylor’s secret personnel file to the defense team
The district court judge overseeing the trial of the Austin police officer charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Mike Ramos has ruled that parts of the officer’s secret personnel file will be handed over to the defense. Last week, Travis County District Court Judge Dayna Blazey denied the city of Austin’s motion to […]
Posted inCourts
Council to vote on payment for wrongful death
City Council is scheduled to vote today on paying the plaintiffs more than $3 million in a wrongful death case brought by the mother of a child whose father died while working a construction job in Austin. Jaime Membreno, a 26-year-old citizen of El Salvador, died in 2009 when he touched one of Austin Energy’s […]
Posted inCourts
Judge will see secret personnel file of Austin police officer charged with murder in Mike Ramos shooting death
Days before the start of the murder trial of the Austin police officer who fatally shot Mike Ramos, a Travis County District Court judge has denied a city of Austin request to keep part of the officer’s personnel file private. At a Monday morning hearing, Travis County District Court Judge Dayna Blazey denied the city’s […]
Posted inCourts
Central Health, Ascension Seton trade barbs
The lawsuits between Ascension Texas, formerly known as the Seton Healthcare Family, and Travis County’s Central Health continue with little prospect of progress in the near future. Seton and Central Health have been at loggerheads since at least 2020, and each filed suit against the other in January. As in many lawsuits, it all boils […]