Local Government

County pledges more than $100 million to eradicate homelessness in three years

On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court committed $110 million in federal funding toward housing the homeless. The money, sourced from a $247 million chunk of the American Rescue Plan Act funds designated for county assistance, will likely be administered…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Sep 15, 2021

Here's what's in Texas Republicans' new voting law

Editor’s Note: Senate Bill 1, Texas’ restrictive new voting bill, was the law of the Lone Star State for barely an hour when civil rights groups launched a slew of lawsuits aimed at striking down the law. A federal lawsuit…

Texas State Legislature • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Sep 8, 2021

Commissioners approve state-mandated changes to leave policy

Three bills were signed into law during the past legislative session that will change or add to existing leave policies for county employees. House Bill 1589 provides seven days of paid leave for public officers and employees engaged in certain types…

Texas State Legislature • By Seth Smalley • Sep 3, 2021

Both sides claim victory in Prop A ballot language ruling

Save Austin Now, the political action committee behind Proposition A, which would require the city of Austin to hire two police officers for every 1,000 Austin residents, claimed victory Wednesday when the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the city must…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 2, 2021

Democrats sue Texas in attempt to get federal courts to redraw legislative districts before 2022

Texas Democrats say the state’s legislative districts can’t be redrawn in 2021 and they’re asking a federal court to redraw them before the 2022 election. The state has already begun work on redrawing its maps, but a federal lawsuit filed…

Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 2, 2021

Why Travis County is struggling to spend its federal rental assistance dollars

As we spoke by phone this week, Rakhi Agrawal glanced down at the stack of papers on her desk. “My eviction notice – it’s right here on my desk,” she said. It’s been a long journey for Agrawal, who moved…

Travis County • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 31, 2021

Subscribe to our newsletter

Save Austin Now sues city, saying it isn't fully enforcing ban on camping in public

The political action committee Save Austin Now and four business owners have filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin alleging it hasn’t been fully enforcing the ban on camping in public. Voters passed Proposition B in May. The petition-led initiative, organized…

Courts • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Aug 26, 2021

Williamson County to sue Austin over hotel for people transitioning out of homelessness

The Williamson County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to request a lawsuit be filed against the city of Austin for purchasing a Candlewood Suites hotel to house people transitioning out of homelessness. Austin’s plans for the Candlewood Suites, which is located…

Courts • By Allyson Ortegon, KUT • Aug 18, 2021

Commissioners extend deadline on adult correctional systems report

The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to grant a 45-day extension to a forthcoming report about the Travis County adult correctional system. The report is being prepared by a collaborative group including Justice Planning, Health and Human Services, and…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Aug 12, 2021

Defining Del Valle

When you look at a map, it’s pretty easy to distinguish man-made boundaries from the rivers and oceans that have been codified into borders. The edges of Austin have both kinds of boundary lines. Some lines on the map flow…