Stories by Gene Davis
Property tax relief hot topic at mayoral forum
During the South Austin Democrats‘ mayoral candidate forum Tuesday night, candidate Steve Adler defended his position in support of a citywide 20 percent homestead tax exemption. Fellow mayoral candidates Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole have blasted Adler’s flat 20 percent…
Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 13, 2014
Adler has a good day, but falls short of getting endorsement
Editor Jo Clifton contributed to this report. Although he did not win their endorsement, mayoral candidate Steve Adler had a good day at the Austin Environmental Democrats meeting Wednesday, coming away with 47.5 percent of the vote. His closest rival,…
Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 7, 2014
Environmental Democrats hear Riley, Tovo, but make no endorsement
In front of Wednesday’s standing-room only crowd at the Austin Environmental Democrats forum, micro houses– so-called “granny flats” – proved a defining issue between Council members and District 9 candidates Kathie Tovo and Chris Riley. However, neither of them was…
Elections • By Gene Davis • Aug 7, 2014
Public Safety Commission endorses distracted driving ordinance
Public Safety Commissioners got a preview Monday of recommendations to expand the city’s ban on texting while driving. The recommendations from the Distracted Driving Working Group – formed by City Council in January via a resolution – propose banning the…
Public Safety • By Gene Davis • Aug 5, 2014
Rights commission recommends source of income as protected class
After hearing stories from low-income residents about how they were vilified while trying to use housing vouchers, the Austin Human Rights Commission last night backed a recommendation to make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against people based on the…
Development • By Gene Davis • Jul 29, 2014
Public Safety Commission calls proposed APD budget inadequate
Public Safety Commissioners did not attempt to hide their displeasure Monday with the proposed FY 2015 Austin Police Department budget. APD’s budget plan calls for $307.6 million, which is a $12.2 million increase from FY 2014 and adds funding…
Public Safety • By Gene Davis • Jun 3, 2014
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Facing financial losses, Austin Water considers 15.2 percent rate hike
With the Austin Water Utility projected to lose another $27 million this fiscal year, David Anders, the utility’s assistant director of finance and business services, said customers could potentially see a 15.2 percent rate hike in their water service bills…
Resources • By Gene Davis • May 1, 2014
Public Safety Commissioner criticizes APD’s sting operations
A member of the city’s Public Safety Commission is criticizing the Austin Police Department’s tactics in two recent sting operations in the downtown area. Commissioner Kent Anschutz last week accused police of clogging the jails and courts with people accused…
Public Safety • By Gene Davis • Apr 14, 2014
Public Safety Commissioners voice concerns over SXSW security
In their first meeting since the South by Southwest drunken driving tragedy that killed four people, Public Safety Commissioners voiced their concerns Monday that aspects of the festival are growing out of control. Commission Chair Kim Rossmo said the…
Public Safety • By Gene Davis • Apr 8, 2014
Mental health agency seeks to meet standards to expand coverage
With more than $13 million at stake this fiscal year, Charles Harrison, chief financial officer for Austin Travis County Integral Care, told community members at a March 20 forum that a combination of projects aimed at increasing health care services…
Local Government • By Gene Davis • Mar 24, 2014
Struggle coming over which agency should lead on prescribed burns
After hearing that wildfire prevention efforts led to the prescribed burn of approximately 200 acres in 2013, several Public Safety Commissioners said this week that they worried that any burn not led by the Austin Fire Department poses a safety…
Environment • By Gene Davis • Mar 7, 2014
Public Safety panel backs expanding city’s texting-while-driving ban
After hearing the city’s chief prosecutor say that drivers on their cell phones are 23 times more likely to be in a wreck than a driver who isn’t distracted, the Public Safety Commission approved a resolution Monday asking City Council…
