Stories by Jo Clifton
Friday, August 22, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Politics
Labor wants to make its mark on Council races
Local labor leader Jack Kirfman reported that the union for local government employees, AFSCME, has interviewed candidates and decided on its choices for City Council. Kirfman said American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees would present their recommendations to…
Thursday, August 21, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Ballot order set for City Council election
The city took another step in the process toward having a 10-1 Council on Wednesday as City Clerk Jannette Goodall drew the names of each candidate to determine in what order they will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. Conventional…
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Austinites file to run for new Council seats
(Reporter Gene Davis assisted in the preparation of this story.) By the end of business Monday, the Austin City Clerk’s Office had assisted 76 78 Austinites wishing to serve their community as members of the new 10-1 City Council. There were…
Thursday, August 14, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Statesman endorses plan for homestead exemption; Martinez, Cole react
The American-Statesman in its Wednesday edition came out in favor of a 20 percent homestead exemption as proposed by mayoral candidate Steve Adler. The other major contenders, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole and Council Member Mike Martinez have criticized Adler’s…
Wednesday, August 13, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Council meetings to consider utility fund, rail ballot, flood buyouts
The Austin City Council will hold two special called meetings this week, one Thursday following the Council Committee on Austin Energy, and one Friday at 1p.m. Thursday’s meeting includes consideration of whether to allow the utility to transfer $30 million…
Thursday, August 7, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Development
TxDOT won’t withdraw draft of SH45 SW environmental study
The Texas Department of Transportation has refused to suspend or withdraw the draft environmental impact statement, called an EIS, for the roadway design of SH45 Southwest, as requested by Austin City Manager Marc Ott July 23. In addition, TxDOT has…
Tuesday, August 5, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Adler files for mayor, cites proposal for homestead tax exemption
Attorney Steve Adler announced a proposal for a sweeping change in the city’s property tax system Monday as he filed the documents necessary to get a place on the ballot for the mayoral election in November. Standing before a small…
Monday, July 28, 2014 by Jo Clifton
The Region
City asks TxDOT to stop SH45SW environmental impact statement
City Manager Marc Ott has asked the Texas Department of Transportation to withdraw its current draft environmental impact statement of State Highway 45 Southwest and suspend its technical review. In making the request, Ott cited three “pending critical environmental studies,”…
Thursday, July 17, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Former State Rep. Kitchen leads fundraising in District 5
Former State Rep. Ann Kitchen has greatly outpaced the other candidates in the race to represent South Austin’s District 5. Her contribution and expenditure report show she has raised more than $42,000 and lent her campaign $20,700. After spending nearly…
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Adler takes big money lead over Martinez, Cole in Mayor’s race
Months before the mayoral field was set, those who opine on such things predicted candidates for Mayor would spend big money on the race. With four months to go, that only seems true for one candidate, attorney Steve Adler. Adler,…
Thursday, June 26, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Environment
Water task force recommends finding more ways to save water
After months of tedious and lengthy meetings, the city’s blue ribbon task force assigned to make recommendations on how Austin should deal with an ever-shrinking water supply unanimously approved a report to City Council Wednesday. The major message from…
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Politics
Public Integrity Unit investigating former West Lake Hills city planner
The Travis County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit has opened an investigation into allegations surrounding a former city planner for West Lake Hills who is now in private practice as an architect. Assistant District Attorney Greg Cox confirmed the…
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Development
West Lake Hills’ planner’s actions under ethical spotlight
Actions of a former West Lake Hills City Council member and former city planner are raising ethical and legal concerns since it appears he is representing a client he may have begun a business relationship with while still employed by…
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Development
Tovo, Martinez disagree with Mayor over rejection of incentive deals
After learning Monday that National Instruments and Dropbox terminated economic incentive agreements with the city, Austinites learned Tuesday that a third company, U.S. Farathane, also ended its participation in the program which gives companies tax breaks or fee waivers in…
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Resources
Task force hears water options, some likely unpalatable
With lake levels dropping and no end in sight for the current drought, Austin Water Utility officials are putting some creative strategies on the table designed to add to and maximize the city’s water supplies. It seems likely that the…
Thursday, March 20, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Martinez to emphasize affordability, mobility in campaign for Mayor
Though he won’t be formally launching his campaign for Mayor of Austin until April 5, Council Member Mike Martinez did expand on his Tuesday night “announcement to announce” he was running. Martinez told those gathered Wednesday outside City Hall…
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Morrison says she will not run for Mayor
Council Member Laura Morrison, who has served on the Austin City Council for nearly six years and has been considered a likely candidate for Mayor on the November ballot told the Austin Monitor today that she has decided against the…
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Environment
SOS files criminal charge against Daugherty over SH45 SW information
Bill Bunch, executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, filed a criminal complaint Monday against Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty. The complaint signed by Bunch was filed on behalf of SOS with County Attorney David Escamilla. SOS alleges…
Tuesday, March 4, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Elections
Shea wallops two opponents in Early Vote
Former City Council Member Brigid Shea took a commanding lead tonight with nearly 65 percent of the Early Vote over her two opponents, Garry Brown and Richard Jung. Out of 7,173 votes cast, Shea had 64.94percent. Jung was a distant…
Friday, February 7, 2014 by Jo Clifton
Development
Two more tech companies seek incentives from state, city
Both the City of Austin and the Office of Governor Rick Perry announced two separate economic development incentive proposals Thursday that they say would bring 640 new full-time jobs and a capital investment of more than $15 million to Austin.…
