Austin state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a lifelong Democrat, has won her battle with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct. In December 2020, the commission issued an admonition against Eckhardt for comments she made as Travis County Judge in 2017 and 2019. At the time she made the remarks, she was the leader of the […]
County Judge Sarah Eckhardt
Posted inAustin
Texas attorney general warns some Austin-Travis County Covid-19 orders are ‘unlawful’
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and outgoing Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt on Tuesday saying some of the requirements in their local public health orders are unlawful and “likely to confuse residents.” Paxton sent similar letters to leaders in Dallas County, Bexar County and the city of […]
Posted inAustin
City ‘continues to work through’ governor’s order to slowly reopen Texas
Texas’ statewide stay-at-home order expires Friday, but the city of Austin has yet to clarify how this might affect local residents, how it will enforce the governor’s new order and what, if any, additional requirements the city will enact. “The city of Austin continues to work through the implications of the governor’s Executive Order,” a […]
Posted inPublic Health
Abbott says his order overrides local disaster rules
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday the first phase of reopening the state for business in response to an apparent lessening of Covid-19 cases that have sent the nation into an economic tailspin. Abbott claimed he had the authority to allow the majority of businesses to operate in a limited capacity, in spite of any local […]
Posted inAustin
Austin, Travis County extend stay-at-home orders, which now require face coverings
Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt have extended stay-at-home orders until May 8 and have expanded those orders to mandate that residents wear fabric face coverings during essential work and activities. According to a press release sent out by the city about the new orders, “Everyone over the age of ten must wear […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Eckhardt to remain county judge until May 13
In yet another unprecedented decision linked to COVID-19, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt will not be stepping down from county government after all, despite her March 10 resignation. Eckhardt said at a press conference Monday that she could not have foreseen the developing impact of the pandemic. She explained that she will continue to lead county […]
Posted inPublic Health
‘We need to act fast,’ Travis County Judge Eckhardt says ahead of shelter-in-place order
Stay-at-home orders are expected to be issued in the city of Austin, Travis County and Williamson County Tuesday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said. The orders would require all nonessential businesses to have employees work from home and further restrict other gatherings. Businesses with essential functions, like grocery stores, […]
Posted inPublic Health
Updated: Austin closes bars, prohibits dining in at restaurants and limits gatherings in response to COVID-19
Restaurants are limited to drive-thru and pick-up service, bars must close, and indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in Austin effective noon Tuesday. Critical infrastructure, like grocery stores, pharmacies, government buildings, schools and hospitals, are exempt from the order, Dr. Mark Escott, interim director of Austin Public Health, said as […]
Posted inElections
Eckhardt resigns, declares for Texas Senate
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt resigned her position on the Commissioners Court Tuesday, launching her campaign for the Texas Senate seat being vacated by Kirk Watson. Eckhardt wiped away tears as she told her colleagues, “I really love Travis County. … This is the most fun and challenging job I’ve ever had.” “Today I am […]
Posted inTravis County
Eckhardt talks revenue caps, Palm School negotiation in State of the County address
At several turns during her State of the County address Thursday, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt reminded listeners that in many respects, the county operates as an extension of Texas’ state government. The pluses and minuses of that framework, she said, are numerous. Among the challenges are finding ways to manage land use in fast-growing […]
Posted inTravis County
County Judge Sarah Eckhardt sees a future of tough decisions and tax referendums for Travis County
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt has plenty of good news to report as she looks back on 2019. Her greatest achievement is the county’s new public defender’s office, for which she was the lead champion on the Commissioners Court. While her background in criminal law was as a prosecutor, Eckhardt was a passionate voice for […]
Posted inElections
Eckhardt hopes city will pare down convention center plans for sake of Expo Center
Travis County voters gave county government the go-ahead last week to rebuild the aging exposition center on Decker Lane, but it could be a decade before the project breaks ground. County Proposition A, which passed with 63 percent of the vote, authorized the county to levy up to a 2 percent hotel tax to fund […]