About the Author
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Newsletter Signup
The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Most Popular Stories
- For the first time in 20 years, more people are leaving Travis County than moving in
- Austin’s giant troll is finally finished. Here’s where you can find her.
- Travis County approves ambitious ‘Marshall Plan’ for northeast planning district
- Environmental commissioners air concerns about waterfront district plan
- Council hears plan for another South Congress PUD
-
Discover News By District
Stories by Jo Clifton
Austin gets ready for Texas Legislature
When Texas legislators return to the state capital in January they can expect to face a $4.6 billion budget deficit, according to a prediction from Comptroller Glenn Hegar. The deficit is a result of the pandemic and associated economic decline,…
Texas State Legislature • By Jo Clifton • Sep 30, 2020
Neighbors nervous about Shady Lane upzoning
The owners of 914 Shady Lane in the East Austin neighborhood of Govalle have asked City Council to grant zoning for their four-acre property that will allow construction of townhomes and condominiums as well as some neighborhood commercial uses. The…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 29, 2020
Large complex on S. First to replace Mercury Hall
Despite protests from neighbors and a valid petition against the zoning change, City Council voted 9-2 on Sept. 17 to rezone a 0.847-acre lot at 3504 S. First St. to allow for construction of a three-story apartment complex, a five-story…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 28, 2020
Auditors seek change in reporting of minor violations
The City Council Audit & Finance Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend a change in city regulations that will allow the Office of the City Auditor to refer “de minimis” or small-scale violations of city code related to misuse of…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Sep 24, 2020
Audit cites lax city oversight of Mexic-Arte Museum
The city has not done the work needed to develop and oversee its agreements with the Mexic-Arte Museum, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. Auditors reported finding a number of contract monitoring weaknesses, raising questions about…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Sep 23, 2020
Schlotzsky's PUD wins first round approval
City Council voted 7-4 on first reading last week to approve zoning that would allow a 96-foot tower on the property at 218 S. Lamar, the home of a closed Schlotzsky’s restaurant. Leading the dissent was District 5 Council Member…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 21, 2020
Subscribe to our newsletter
Convention center expansion moves forward
After a long day considering various different topics, City Council voted 10-0-1, with Council Member Leslie Pool abstaining, to authorize staff to move forward with negotiations to purchase two expensive blocks to the west of the Austin Convention Center for…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 18, 2020
Your minute is up, new recall group says
A new political action committee is aimed at recalling Mayor Steve Adler and Council members Pio Renteria, Ann Kitchen and Paige Ellis. Anyone who has participated in or watched City Council meetings will recognize the group’s name: Your Minute Is…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Sep 17, 2020
Negotiations in the works on convention center expansion
Although the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to have serious economic impacts on the Austin Convention Center for several years, people will still want to gather for face-to-face meetings, according to an expert hired to advise City Council on the planned…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Sep 16, 2020
Council approves funding for isolation hotel
After a brief discussion about the need to continue the search for temporary and permanent housing for Austinites experiencing homelessness, City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the owner of the La Quinta Inn at 5812 N. Interstate 35 Thursday.…