House could mandate some managed mental health care in Travis County

The private firm that manages mental health care for Medicaid patients in seven Dallas-area counties may be looking to expand to Travis County—without the county’s approval. The move would come as an amendment to the Texas House version of the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 30, 2011

Council tentatively OKs new private email rules

City Council made its first move toward creating new policy related to open government issues yesterday. By a 6-0 vote, Council directed city staff to come up with a rough draft of a resolution that would establish how Council members…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 30, 2011

AISD Board votes to cut jobs

The Austin Independent School District’s board of trustees finalized its decision last night to eliminate 1,153 positions from its employee ranks.   The board declared financial exigency at the end of February. Since then, the district has been working to…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Mar 29, 2011

First two MUD applications filed under new city policy

A month after passing a new policy, City Council will soon have a chance to test its stance on Municipal Utility Districts.   Austin Water Utility’s Bart Jennings last week outlined two Municipal Utility District applications, the first submitted since…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 29, 2011

PARD discovers massive encroachment, damage to city parkland

Sara Hensley, director of Parks and Recreation, becomes visibly distressed when discussing the details of a recently discovered incident of encroachment on parkland. “It is a serious, serious issue of encroachment—the worst I’ve ever seen in my career,” said Hensley.…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 29, 2011

Lakeway marina fight goes to Travis commissioners

The legal dispute over a potential Lake Travis marina near the City of Lakeway found its way into Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. Though the commissioners were presented with the more narrow issue of whether to accept $20,000 from…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 28, 2011

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Riley and Morrison dominate early endorsements

Last week the political season started in earnest, as Democratic organizations began passing out endorsements for City Council races. On Thursday evening, four groups — the Austin Tejano Democrats, Circle C Democrats, Capital Area Progressive Democrats, and South Austin Democrats…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Mar 28, 2011

Shade gets progressive coalition endorsement

The initial surge of momentum behind former Planning Commissioner Kathie Tovo’s run for Randi Shade’s Place 3 council seat has hit something of a speed bump. On Saturday afternoon Shade earned the endorsements of four Austin democratic clubs, including those…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 28, 2011

City staff favors Balcones over Texas Disposal for recycling contract

City staff on Thursday formally recommended that the City Council contract with just one firm for handling of its residential single-stream recycling program: Austin-based Balcones Recycling, shutting out the other company Council chose to negotiate for the business, Texas Disposal…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 25, 2011

Council puts Aquifer resolution on hold to sort out legal mumbo-jumbo

Confusion over the true meaning of bill pending in the Texas Legislature led Council members to backtrack Thursday, while staff and environmentalists argued over the merits of the measure that purported to protect the Barton Springs zone of the Edwards…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 25, 2011

Tovo launches Council campaign, picks up endorsements

Kathie Tovo has had a good week.   Yesterday, she kicked off her campaign to unseat current Place 3 Council Member Randi Shade in front of a group of about 30 supporters. “I believe in a City Hall that listens…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Mar 25, 2011

Kennard named City Attorney

City Manager Marc Ott tells In Fact Daily he is appointing Karen Kennard as City Attorney this morning. Kennard has been Acting City Attorney since May 2010. She was previously First Assistant City Attorney. Prior to that she served as…

Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Mar 24, 2011

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