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- Parks Board recommends vendor for Zilker Café, while voicing concerns about lack of local presence
- Office slowdown sparks new downtown housing ambitions
- City leaders evaluate surprising ideas for water conservation
- Audit: Economic official granted arts, music funding against city code
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Local Government
City watching bills that would cut its authority
As has been the case for several sessions, Austin is facing numerous challenges as the Texas Legislature begins to do its business. Due to Covid, this session will present new challenges, not just for city advocates, but for members and…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Jan 26, 2021
Environmental Commission discusses its role in political advocacy
The Jan. 20 meeting of the Environmental Commission addressed a resolution that would support the city’s 87th State Legislative Agenda, a City Council resolution that passed in September of last year. According to the city, the agenda – which has no…
Texas State Legislature • By Sean Saldaña • Jan 25, 2021
Austin firefighters donate to protect pensions
The political action committee for Austin firefighters was busy the last month of 2020, donating more than $50,000 to Texas lawmakers. Their donations included $10,000 to Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), who was elected Tuesday to be speaker of the Texas…
Fire • By Jo Clifton • Jan 13, 2021
Safety concerns grow in Austin as the first day of the Texas legislative session dawns
Today is the opening day of the Texas legislative session. And after last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, security is a much bigger concern than it has been in recent memory. Lawmakers are having to consider what was unimaginable…
Texas State Legislature • By Jimmy Maas • Jan 12, 2021
Ann Howard: Creating a place of answers
Ann Howard is looking forward to using her voice to help others make good things happen. Howard, who was elected in November to represent Precinct 3 on the Travis County Commissioners Court, will soon start her term, amid a pandemic…
Travis County • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 29, 2020
Margaret Gómez: Whatever it takes to get things done
Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez describes this year as “tumultuous.” “It’s been really up and down and kind of a rough ride,” she told the Austin Monitor. Gómez knows it could have been much rougher if the county didn’t have…
Travis County • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 29, 2020
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County Judge Andy Brown: Representing every voice
When asked about his new job, Travis County Judge Andy Brown doesn’t hesitate. “I love it so far,” he says. He summed up his first couple of weeks on the job as very busy and extremely interesting. So far, the…
Travis County • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 29, 2020
County Judge Sam Biscoe: Pinch-hitting during an extraordinary year
County Judge Samuel Biscoe stepped out of retirement this year to reprise his role as Travis County Judge, a position he held from 1999 to 2014. Biscoe’s return to public service came after his successor, Sarah Eckhardt, ran to replace…
Travis County • By Jasmine Lopez • Dec 29, 2020
Jeff Travillion: Working to improve opportunities
“It was a really busy year,” Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion says. Giving a quick overview of the past 12 months, he reminded the Austin Monitor that he had been running for office in addition to making sure clinics stayed…
Travis County • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 28, 2020
As Covid-19 and climate crisis continue, Brigid Shea persists
A tumultuous 2020 brought oceans of hardships for many, and Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea said she still can’t quite believe everything that happened this year. “Covid-19 has been just surreal,” Shea said. “Are we really living through a global…
Travis County • By Alyssa Weinstein • Dec 28, 2020
Gerald Daugherty looks back on years of service
After serving as a Travis County Commissioner for 14 years, Gerald Daugherty recently reflected on his final term as commissioner for Precinct 3. The pandemic gave rise to quite a few challenges during his final term, Daugherty said, but overcoming…
Travis County • By Victoria May • Dec 28, 2020
Travis County endorses new penalties for illegal massage parlors
The Travis County Commissioners Court has unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing injunctions and civil remedies against illicit massage parlors operating in the county. The proposed legislation targets the organizers, owners and operators of the illegal commercial operations, whereas…
