Stories by Cate Malek
City arborists need reinforcements
It’s easy to imagine that Austin’s trees are a natural feature of the city, but the abundant greenery lining the streets is actually protected and maintained by a tiny army of arborists. And, with new buildings being built every day,…
Environment • By Cate Malek • Aug 8, 2016
Coalition fights to add worker protections to expedited building permit process
The people who are building Austin can no longer afford to live in it, labor advocates say. Although they’re working on the big construction projects that are pushing Austin’s growth, construction workers in Austin have few protections, and many are…
Austin • By Cate Malek • Aug 2, 2016
Austin police short-staffed and underprotected, advocates say
In the aftermath of two shootings in Austin last weekend, City Council should increase police numbers as well as invest in better body armor, advocates say. Those shootings, along with a fierce national debate over the role police should be playing…
Budget • By Cate Malek • Aug 2, 2016
Parks and Rec Board questions repairs that could add to downtown gridlock
A routine park repair has triggered pent-up frustration over Austin’s infamously congested downtown traffic. At its meeting on July 26, members of the Parks and Recreation Board recommended a repair project that will force the closure of one lane of…
Transportation • By Cate Malek • Aug 1, 2016
Sexual harassment and retaliation claims haunt Austin's housing department
By Jo Clifton, Cate Malek and Elizabeth Pagano City of Austin documents show that employees in the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department have made numerous complaints involving inappropriate behavior, a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and retaliation over the…
City Hall • By Cate Malek • Jul 29, 2016
State law forces environmental groups to change strategy
The effects of Senate Bill 709, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last year, are starting to be felt. The bill changed Texas’ contested hearing process for environmental permits. One of its main effects was to shift the burden…
Hays County • By Cate Malek • Jul 26, 2016
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Austin’s reputation as an animal haven may be slowing pet rescues
Six years ago, City Council passed a resolution that animal shelters would no longer kill homeless pets for the sake of space or convenience. But now that Austin has a solid reputation as a no-kill city, Animal Services officials are…
Austin • By Cate Malek • Jul 25, 2016
Dripping Springs' proposed wastewater plan could threaten aquifers
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving quickly to prevent a change in the city of Dripping Springs’ wastewater management that could threaten Dripping Springs’ drinking water. The city of Dripping Springs has applied for a permit to discharge…
Hays County • By Cate Malek • Jul 19, 2016
Austin suffers from lack of animal protection officers
Although Austin has a reputation as a city of pet lovers, a chronic shortage of animal protection officers may be putting pets, and local communities, at risk. The city currently has 20 officers, only one-third of the number recommended by…
Austin • By Cate Malek • Jul 15, 2016
Music Commission recommends new policies to rescue Austin’s music industry
Austin’s music industry is hoping for a new era of cooperation with city government, and the Music and Creative Ecosystem Recommendations are meant to kick-start these long-awaited changes. At a special meeting of the city’s Music Commission on July 12,…
Music & Entertainment • By Cate Malek • Jul 14, 2016
Environmental Commission pushes city to join lawsuit over SH 45 SW toll road
Citing concerns about whether a proposed state highway improvement project will contaminate Barton Springs, the Environmental Commission recommended that City Council join a lawsuit against the state agencies behind the project. The proposed toll road, which would be built between…
Environment • By Cate Malek • Jul 8, 2016
Newly created Equity Office to address lack of equal representation in city government
Austin is a majority-minority city, or, in other words, a city where no demographic group forms a majority of the population. But that status presents considerable challenges when it comes to making sure Austin’s diverse population is represented equally in…
