Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is brushing off concerns that a plan to reform outdoor concert regulations in the county could potentially violate state law. The Travis County Commissioners Court is currently weighing a decision that would streamline the permitting process for mass gatherings in a way that would include a tougher stance against loud […]
Travis County
Travis County is the urban county that includes, notably, Austin.
Posted inLocal Government, Travis County
Lawyers boost courthouse campaign
Members of Austin’s legal community have given a six-figure jolt to the campaign for a new civil and family courts complex. According to campaign finance documents filed last week, the political action committee coordinating the effort says it raised $134,439 in the first half of 2015. The Community for Civil and Family Courthouse PAC’s disclosure […]
Posted inAustin
AISD funding requests dominate joint meeting
It is no secret that the Austin Independent School District is in tough financial straits, and requests for additional monetary help from the Austin City Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court dominated the recent joint subcommittee meeting. Representatives from all three entities met to discuss matters of mutual interest — an event that occurs roughly […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Monitor News & Media, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: The 84th Lege and local municipalities
TravCo IGR honcho Deece Eckstein joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk about the local municipal impact of laws passed (and not) by the just-ended 84th Texas Legislature. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/209381212″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inMonitor News & Media, Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Travis County Civil and Family Courthouse and other development plans
Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard interviews Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Travis County Strategic Planning Manager Belinda Powell about the County’s proposed downtown Courthouse plan, as well as other County-managed real estate interests. Sponsored by Kerbey Lane Cafe. Show embedded below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/199126394″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inBonds & Propositions, Courts, Development, Travis County
County pitches courthouse plan to Downtown group
Travis County officials presented plans for a proposed $291.6 million Civil and Family Courthouse to Austin’s Downtown Commission last week in an early bid to shore up city support before taking the plan to voters ahead of November’s bond election. If approved, it could mean the average county taxpayer could see an extra $41 on […]
Posted inBicycles, Public Safety, Transportation, Travis County
Travis County revives Bicycle Safety Task Force
Travis County is looking to revive its Bicycle Safety Task Force, which has been dormant since before voters approved funding for bicycle safety projecta in a 2011 bond election. The task force — which is getting several new stakeholders and advisers — will make recommendations on what bicycle safety programs to put on which roadways […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety, Texas State Legislature
GOP wants to restore Secure Communities program
A recent agreement between the City of Austin and Travis County over booking services at the county jail could be in jeopardy if congressional Republicans succeed in reversing President Obama’s executive orders on immigration policy. House Republicans voted out a bill Wednesday to fund the Homeland Security department that would defund the president’s immigration program. […]
Posted inCity Hall, Local Politics, Texas State Legislature, Travis County
Austin, Travis get ready for 84th Texas Legislature
With the specter of dealing with a Texas Legislature that has become even more conservative — if that is possible — with the Nov. 4 election, the City of Austin and Travis County reviewed and approved their respective legislative agendas last week. The primary objectives for both the city and the county for the upcoming […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Public Safety, Travis County
Council tries for changes in Secure Communities
City Council members Thursday instructed city staff to make a series of changes to a proposed interlocal agreement the City of Austin holds with Travis County for prisoner booking services. If county officials agree to the changes, the cumulative effect could circumvent the Travis County Sheriff’s participation in the Federal Secure Communities program. The move […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Austin Monitor Radio, Show 19
Travis County Intergovernmental Coordinator Deece Eckstein joins Monitor Publisher Mike Kanin to talk about the upcoming legislative session and likely municipal impacts. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/172868674″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inPublic Safety, Resources
Travis County battles shortage of foster homes
There is a severe lack of homes for children and youth in Travis County’s foster care system, according to the judges and officials who administer the system. They say the situation has become critical, to the point that children are often moved out of their home community and placed in homes that are many miles […]