Stories by Jacob Cottingham
Travis County weighs in on proposed water quality standards
Travis County Commissioners voted unanimously, absent a vacationing Pct. 2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt, to approve a letter drafted by staff in response to new standards of water quality proposed by the state. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality periodically revises…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Mar 18, 2010
Council approves measures to make animal shelter a no-kill facility
Council voted unanimously Thursday on a number of items designed to make Austin’s animal shelters one of the most humane in the country. Aiming for an ambitious 90 percent live rate, Council members voted to construct an RFP that would…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Mar 12, 2010
Travis County comments on proposed EPA air standards
Over the last few weeks, Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources staff have been working on the county’s official comment letter to the Environmental Protection Agency’s strengthened ambient air quality standards, which were announced earlier this year. On Tuesday, Travis…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Mar 12, 2010
Williamson County bond plans could be under scrutiny at CAMPO
A letter sent last week by Travis County Pct. 2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt to Williamson County Commissioner and CAMPO Vice-Chair Cynthia Long seeks to provide an impetus to discuss how local project funding projections will fit into the eventual CAMPO…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Mar 8, 2010
Gomez rides East Austin base to victory
Margaret Gomez won a fourth consecutive term as Travis County Precinct 4 Commissioner last night, besting her challenger, former City Council Member Raul Alvarez in a campaign that seemed to pit the old school versus the new. Gomez netted 53…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Mar 3, 2010
Council waits on taxi limits, approves other increases to fare
After a few twists and turns that at one point had the city attorney pulling up Robert’s Rules of Order on his computer, City Council eventually voted 6-1—with Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez dissenting—for an amended ordinance that would increase…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Feb 26, 2010
Subscribe to our newsletter
Texans, Israelis celebrate similarities at Cleanovation Conference
A large contingent of Israeli clean technology business representatives converged on Austin Monday for a chance to pitch local venture capitalists and entrepreneurs on potential investments or partnerships. The Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Austin Chamber of Commerce and Israel’s Ministry…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Feb 25, 2010
Travis County budget outlook for FY 2011 still grim
On Tuesday Travis County Planning and Budget Executive Director Rodney Rhoades confirmed for County Commissioners what they had already dreaded – further budget woes for the county’s coffers. The primary indicator of yet another year of cost cutting is…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Feb 17, 2010
District 5 SBOE candidates show their differences
At the Central Texas Candidate Forum, held at the LBJ School on Thursday afternoon, the full slate of District 5 State Board of Education candidates sounded off on their qualifications and philosophies. The crowded Democratic field saw two candidates pull…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Feb 12, 2010
Council approves new Austin Energy solar incentive plan
Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved changes to Austin Energy’s solar rebate program that will reward businesses for installing solar devices by paying for power production over a 10-year span. Instead of paying for rebates on the installation…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Feb 5, 2010
Council delays resolution on limiting youth league utility bills
The City Council postponed action Thursday on an ordinance that would curtail the city’s current policy of providing essentially limitless funding for the utility bills of youth athletic league facilities. Currently the Parks and Recreation Department pays all the…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jan 29, 2010
Travis County to acquire 15-story, $62 million building
Travis County commissioners learned on Tuesday that their offer to purchase a new downtown building was accepted, paving the way to eventually house a reconfigured commissioners court. The court had made an offer on the 15-story, 315,000 square-foot building last…
