About the Author
Mike Kanin is the Publisher of the Austin Monitor. As such, he doesn't report on much--aside from the workings of the Monitor--any more. In his previous life as a freelance journalist, Kanin has written for the Washington City Paper, the Washington Post's Express, the Boston Herald, Boston's Weekly Dig, the Austin Chronicle, and the Texas Observer.
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Most Popular Stories
- New federal cash paves way for East Austin’s ‘wishbone’ bridge over Lady Bird Lake
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- Democrats vs. Republicans: First election coming for Travis Central Appraisal District board
- Save Our Springs Alliance sues City Council over Open Meetings Act
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Discover News By District
Stories by Michael Kanin
Understaffed Code Compliance chief seeking more employees
Ready or not, Austin’s Code Compliance department was in the spotlight last week after the walkway on a southeast Austin apartment complex collapsed, alerting authorities to multiple dangerous violations there. Code compliance officials were then put in the unhappy position…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 21, 2012
Council continues to move forward on Austin Energy rate design
City Council members took more incremental steps toward a final Austin Energy rate design yesterday. However, bogged down in the details of that project – most of which carry the weight of much larger implications as the utility defends the…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 18, 2012
Council enters home stretch for Austin Energy rate design
The members of the Austin City Council continue to inch toward a final design for the Austin Energy rate increase. Council members took concrete steps in that direction Wednesday morning when they unanimously agreed on a handful of basic elements…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 17, 2012
Travis Commissioners approve ambitious Colorado River Corridor Plan
Travis County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an ambitious plan for more than 38,000 acres of land along the Lower Colorado River. The Colorado River Corridor Plan is aimed at coordinating public planning and private investment to help direct…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 16, 2012
Spelman, Cole, and Riley pitch yet another Austin Energy rate design
Fresh off decisive election victories, Council Member Bill Spelman and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole joined Council Member Chris Riley at a City Hall press conference where the trio announced their solution for the lingering question of what to do…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 15, 2012
Lack of money critical factor in Shea's loss to Mayor
Although only about 10 percent of Austin voters bothered to cast ballots either during Early Voting or on Election Day, their votes mean four incumbents will be able to return to their offices today and pick up as if the…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 14, 2012
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Reflections from Austin City Council Election Night
Mayor Lee Leffingwell had his party at Scholz Garten, along with Council Member Mike Martinez. The mood was festive from the outset since it seemed likely from the minute the early vote was counted that all four incumbents would be…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 14, 2012
Thunderstorms can be expensive for Austin Energy
It was a spectacular spring storm last weekend in Austin, with brilliant lightning, loud thunder and high winds, bringing downed power lines but no major damage. According to Austin Energy, it was relatively tame as Central Texas thunderstorms go. …
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 10, 2012
LCRA layoffs hit parks and natural science centers
In Fact Daily has confirmed that the Lower Colorado River Authority has cut a sizeable chunk of its parks and nature center workforce. All told, the layoffs, which affect roughly 20 positions in the parks, parks maintenance, and natural science divisions,…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 9, 2012
Mayoral campaign bickering reveals Shea F1 connection
With early voting about to close and Election Day less than a week away, two of the three City of Austin Mayoral candidates traded pointed accusations on Monday. Brigid Shea hit first, suggesting that incumbent Lee Leffingwell tried to hide…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 8, 2012
Resource Recovery proposes fee hike starting in 2013
The head of the City of Austin’s Resource Recovery department is calling for a change in rate structure that would, if implemented, bring about another rate increase for Austin residents. Bob Gedert had indicated in June, 2011, that the organization…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 7, 2012
Audit generally affirms Austin Energy's revenue requirement
The City Auditor’s office says that an internal audit of Austin Energy’s stated revenue requirement concluded that the utility is largely correct about its need for an additional $71 million in revenue. Though Assistant City Auditor Walt Persons told…
