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.
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 Michael Kanin
Pressley campaign may have accepted illegal contributions
Place 2 City Council candidate Laura Pressley listed seven business entities and an out-of-state political action committee on her 30-day campaign finance election filing. Though a handful of the entities may qualify as legal contributors, at least two, U.S. Foods…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 17, 2012
LCRA board set to consider changes to key policies, mission statement
The board of the Lower Colorado River Authority is set to approve changes to three of its key agency policies. If voted in, the policies affected include the Telecommunications policy, the Fuel and Energy policy, and the organization’s Mission Statement.…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 17, 2012
Metered parking study reveals loss of $500,000 in additional revenue
According to a report from the Austin Transportation Department report, the extended parking meter hours approved by the City Council in August have been generally successful. However, the report also indicates that the city lost about $500,000 in additional revenue…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 16, 2012
Council approves first charter amendment question on staff policies
In November, voters will have the chance to approve a change to the City Charter that would give the City Council the authority to hire and fire their own staff. If the measure succeeds, the offices of the city clerk,…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 16, 2012
Leffingwell raises twice as much as opponent Brigid Shea
There were no huge surprises as the candidates for seats on the Austin City Council turned in their 30-day fundraising reports yesterday. Mayor Lee Leffingwell was out in front of all candidates with nearly $150,000 in contributions collected since January.…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 13, 2012
Shea denies work with Austin Youth Hostel was lobbying
According to financial documents filed with the Austin City Clerk’s office as part of election law requirements, Austin mayoral candidate Brigid Shea earned between $10,000 and $20,000 for contract work that she did last year for American Youth Hostels, the…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 11, 2012
Subscribe to our newsletter
Questions linger over Travis County’s F1 road contributions
As fellow Travis County court members voted to take another step yesterday toward committing county funds for road projects needed by Austin’s Formula 1, Pct. 2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt continued to raise questions about the financial stability of the team…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 11, 2012
Travis County Apple tax rebate could add up to 80 percent
The Travis County Commissioners Court is prepared to offer Apple, Inc. up to 15 extra percentage points in tax rebates if the firm can prove that it’s hired a to-be-determined specific number of low income employees for its new Americas…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 9, 2012
Council postpones approval of Green Water Treatment site sale
Members of the City Council remain concerned about a host of details associated with the sale of the site of the city’s former Green Water Treatment Plant. As a result, they’ve pushed a vote on the agreement that will govern…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 6, 2012
Formula 1 group wants Travis County to pay for road costs
Despite a promise to chip in for a portion of the road construction costs associated with the expected traffic impact of their Formula 1 event, officials with the Circuit of the Americas racetrack have asked Travis County for an economic…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 5, 2012
Despite questions, Council members consider ‘decoupling’ for AE rates
Austin City Council members will consider employing an alternate approach to ratemaking as part of their deliberations about a potential Austin Energy rate hike. The tactic, known as “decoupling,” might allow the utility the flexibility to correct for revenue shortfalls…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 4, 2012
Austin Water Utility division manager under investigation
An Austin Water Utility employee has been placed on administrative leave in the wake of accusations that he may have used his position to influence what was described in an email as a “personal matter.” In a March 1 email,…