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Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
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Stories by Jo Clifton
New zoning would allow huge building on South Congress
At the last meeting before the Nov. 5 election, City Council spent more than 11 hours in chambers, with most of their time being devoted to the contract with the Austin Police Association, which they approved. But with a barely…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Oct 29, 2024
Watson questions affordable housing in Airport Overlay
Mayor Kirk Watson has expressed serious concerns about a proposed affordable housing project within the flight path of Austin’s airport and has suggested changes that will prevent such development in the future. In a post on the City Council Message…
Housing • By Jo Clifton • Oct 24, 2024
Public lines up to oppose police contract
The Austin City Council sat through hours of speeches from the public on Tuesday, mostly from citizens who oppose the proposed five-year contract with the city’s police union. A few spoke in support, but the vast majority of the 236…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Oct 23, 2024
Ethics complaints won’t be heard before Election Day
As voters flocked to the polls on the first day of early voting, the city’s Ethics Review Commission decided it would postpone considering complaints about Mayor Kirk Watson and challenger Doug Greco accepting more than the allowed amount from non-Austin…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 22, 2024
West side District 10 candidates do not agree on much
There are just two candidates running for the District 10 City Council seat: Marc Duchen and Ashika Ganguly. While both have lived in West Austin for a number of years, Duchen, 46, has a longer track record. Duchen has an…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 18, 2024
PACs raising funds for Watson, Greco, others
A political action committee supporting Mayor Kirk Watson has raised more than $238,000 but spent less than $2,900 so far, according to a report filed with Austin’s Office of the City Clerk. One of the major contributors to the Austin…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 17, 2024
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Incumbent Mackenzie Kelly faces Krista Laine in D6 race
Council Member Mackenzie Kelly and her lone challenger, Krista Laine, will go head to head in the Nov. 5 election. Kelly touts her credentials as a promoter of all things public safety, while Laine says she will do better for…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 17, 2024
Council OKs contract for new academy to train ‘workforce of the future’
City Council on Thursday approved a $5 million contract with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to start and manage the Austin Infrastructure Academy for 12 months. In addition to job training, the contract with Workforce Solutions includes the provision of child…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Oct 14, 2024
Report highlights need for future airport audits
The city’s Aviation Department faces a variety of risks, particularly related to insufficient staffing, according to a report from the Office of the City Auditor. Auditor-in-charge Kathie Harrison told the Council Audit & Finance Committee on Wednesday that the three…
Transportation • By Jo Clifton • Oct 10, 2024
Watson leads in fundraising among mayoral candidates
Mayor Kirk Watson leads all other candidates for mayor in terms of contributions received and political expenditures, according to reports filed Monday with the city clerk’s office. His Oct. 7 report shows that the mayor raised more than $216,000 over…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Oct 9, 2024
Revised Thornton Road rezoning gets first reading approval
After a surprise change in the requested zoning, City Council approved on first reading a much smaller zoning change for a 4-acre site on Thornton Road in South Austin. The property sits in District 5, and Council Member Ryan Alter…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Oct 4, 2024
Rezoning of the Herb Bar is in question as it advances
The Herb Bar, which sits at the corner of West Mary and Eva streets in the Bouldin neighborhood, has been offering herbs and spices, plus a variety of potions, since 1986. However, the new owner of the historic property, which…
