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
- Austin’s airport is getting a new concourse and 20 more gates but not until the 2030s
- New rules in the works for electric vehicle charging stations
- Judge rules city can’t use taxpayer money for South Central TIRZ
- Budget deficit looms over city this year and beyond
- Save Our Springs Alliance sues City Council over Open Meetings Act
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Discover News By District
Stories by Michael Kanin
Travis County finishes Circuit of the Americas road agreement
Travis County Commissioners approved what they expect will be the final version of a deal for the county to reimburse officials with the Circuit of the Americas racetrack for improvements along Kellam Road. When signed by County Judge Sam Biscoe,…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 2, 2012
Austin Energy consumer advocate racks up higher bill than authorized
Austin Energy officials informed members of the Austin City Council on Monday morning that, no matter how they act on the utility’s new rate structure, the organization will still need at least $71 million in additional revenue over the first…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 1, 2012
Huber has cash lead on Daugherty in Precinct 3 Commissioner race
In what promises to be one of the more closely watched Travis County electoral races, incumbent Pct. 3 Commissioner Karen Huber has reported having $40,000 more on hand than her presumed Republican challenger Gerald Daugherty. All told, Huber posted a…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 1, 2012
Council approves bundling limits, other elections provisions
The Austin City Council gave a head start to a portion of the work done by its 2012 Charter Revision Committee with the approval of three items that will begin to change the way that city elections are conducted. …
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 27, 2012
Levy’s PAC for Chavez runs afoul of campaign finance rules
A Political Action Committee funded by outspoken former Texas Monthly publisher Mike Levy has failed to file required campaign expenditure documents with the office of Austin City Clerk Shirley Gentry. The organization, a specific-purpose committee called Dominic Chavez for Austin…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 26, 2012
Council to consider campaign ordinance changes
Council members Laura Morrison, Kathie Tovo, and Mike Martinez will offer a series of ordinances at today’s Council meeting that, if passed, would implement a host of changes suggested by the 2012 City of Austin Charter Revision Committee. The new…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 26, 2012
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City reports few complaints registered over short-term rentals
An audit requested by Council Member Bill Spelman that investigates a host of questions about short-term rentals in the City of Austin has revealed that only a fraction of the city’s 911 (0.2 percent) and 311 (0.4 percent) calls have…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 25, 2012
Council approves changes to rules governing pedicabs on city streets
The Austin City Council has approved a number of changes to the rules that govern the city’s fleet of pedicabs. In general, the changes attempt to better define pedicab street operation. Though the idea of formal guidelines for driver compensation…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 23, 2012
Personnel costs, needs drive public safety FY2013 budgets
City budget officials project an estimated $24.5 million in unmet departmental needs for the FY2013 budget. The city’s three public safety agencies, which collectively report roughly $15 million in unmet needs, account for more than half of that figure. …
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 20, 2012
Court moves forward with conservation easement guidelines
The Travis County Commissioners Court appears ready to adopt a set of guidelines for purchasing land under a new state statute that offers counties new authority to use bond money for land conservation easements. However, a question about whether court…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 19, 2012
County moves toward financial agreement with F1 racetrack
In a split vote, Travis County Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve initial work on a set of road construction agreements between the county and the backers of the Circuit of the Americas racetrack project. Commissioners Sarah Eckhardt and Karen…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 18, 2012
Travis Commissioners hear more details on new courthouse project
Consultants hired to assist Travis County officials with key construction decisions related to its potential new downtown Civil and Family Courthouse recommended Tuesday that the county not build the structure to its maximum legal size. Instead, the consultants – with…
