A Travis County resident is trying to remove District Attorney José Garza from office. Betsy Dupuis filed a lawsuit Friday under House Bill 17, which allows anyone in a county to try to remove that county’s top prosecutor. Her complaint is similar to a previous one filed against the DA. Dupuis also told KXAN that Garza’s office mishandled a case after […]
Local Government
Posted inTravis County
Travis County DA faces removal attempt under Texas law targeting ‘rogue’ prosecutors
A Travis County resident is seeking to remove progressive District Attorney José Garza from office using a 2023 Texas law aimed at limiting the discretion of locally elected prosecutors. A state district judge in Comal County on Friday appointed an attorney to represent Texas and pursue the case. House Bill 17 took effect last September and allows courts […]
Posted inCourts
Judge rules city can’t use taxpayer money for South Central TIRZ
Travis County District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum has ruled that the city of Austin and the developers of the Statesman Planned Unit Development may not move forward with funding of the development on Lady Bird Lake with $354 million in property taxes. The Save Our Springs Alliance, former state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, former Council Member […]
Posted inCourts
ACLU sues Travis County for failing to provide legal counsel
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a class action lawsuit against Travis County for its failure to provide arrestees access to a court-appointed lawyer preceding their first hearing before a judge, known as counsel at first appearance, or CAFA. CAFA is intended to assist jailed individuals who cannot afford a private lawyer for work […]
Posted inCourts
Save Our Springs Alliance sues City Council over Open Meetings Act
As he threatened to do at last week’s City Council meeting, Save Our Springs Alliance Executive Director Bill Bunch has sued the city, the mayor and Council for alleged violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Austin City Charter and Council’s own procedures for allowing the public to speak. The suit was filed in […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County officials credit moderate eclipse traffic to planning and clouds
Monday’s total solar eclipse did not bring the massive crowds and traffic that some thought the Austin area might see. The cloudy weather might have been the reason, but it also could have been the monthslong preparation for the event. Several school districts canceled classes. Some businesses closed. And advice to stay home, or at […]
Posted inTravis County
During Social Work Month, county commissioners discuss the field’s low average salaries
On March 26, Travis County Commissioners Court declared March 2024 “Social Work Month” under the proclamation “Empowering Social Workers.” The proclamation recognized the vital contributions of social workers in shaping policy, promoting systems of equality and diversity, confronting the increasing demand for mental health services and confronting economic inequality on multiple fronts. It also noted […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County approves tax breaks for child care providers
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a 100 percent property tax break to qualifying child care centers in the county. The decision comes close on the city of Austin’s heels; the city passed a similar break in January and was the first city in Texas to do so after the passage of […]
Posted inCourts
Arguments to continue in lawsuit over deed restrictions
Although Travis County District Judge Madeleine Connor ruled in favor of homeowners fighting to keep a developer from building more than two houses per lot in their subdivision last week, that victory may be marred by further decisions in the near future. Attorney Bill Aleshire represents four homeowners in the Elmwood Estates subdivision in South […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County approves ambitious ‘Marshall Plan’ for northeast planning district
According to Travis County commissioners and staff, eastern Travis County has long been blighted. Lack of investment and economic opportunities along with displacement and systemic racism have left the area systemically impoverished. In 2024, after years of dilapidation in the area, Travis County and the city of Austin have set their sights on changing – […]
Posted inCourts
ATP lawyer argues against sharing information with the public
Lawyers for the Austin Transit Partnership and Austinites who have filed suit to try to stop ATP from proceeding to build a light-rail system without another vote will be in court next Monday to argue about whether the city of Austin should be removed as a party in the lawsuit. Attorney Bill Aleshire is representing […]
Posted inCourts
Plaintiffs hope to strike city of Austin from Project Connect suit
The people who filed suit last fall to stop the Austin Transit Partnership from proceeding without another bond election have intervened in a lawsuit filed by the city and ATP seeking to validate bonds needed to build the light-rail system. The plaintiffs’ goal is to remove the city as a party to the bond validation […]