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Travis County
State of the County speech features state drama, innovative bonding and a surprise setback
In the early months of her third year in office, County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is still bullish on the state of Travis County. On Wednesday evening, she told a large crowd gathered inside the Commissioners Court chambers that the county…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Mar 2, 2017
County's North Campus plans to squeeze out Tax Office workers
Travis County is moving forward with plans to raise a multistory mixed-use project in North Central Austin. On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court unanimously endorsed a staff recommendation to cap at three stories the planned office component that would be added…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Feb 22, 2017
Immigration discussion stokes heat at Commissioners Court
The issue of immigration enforcement caused sparks to fly at Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, a rare moment of tension on a dais largely distinguished for its pragmatic cooperation on mundane issues of county administration. The weekly voting session…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Feb 15, 2017
Immigrant Affairs commissioners debate legality of Travis County policy
Disagreement broke out at the Feb. 13 meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs as to whether Travis County or the city of Austin would face criminal or civil prosecution for violating federal immigration law as inferred by President Donald…
Travis County • By Joseph Caterine • Feb 14, 2017
County kicks off damage control after Abbott yanks funding
The Travis County Commissioners Court has given county programs whose funding was recently axed by Gov. Greg Abbott a new lease on life, albeit a temporary one. On Tuesday, the court voted to keep all nine programs running through May…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Feb 8, 2017
Travis County explores ways to overcome funding cuts
Travis County raised nearly $90,000 as of Monday afternoon through an online initiative set up after Gov. Greg Abbott cut $1.5 million in grant funding over Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s new immigration policy. State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) launched the fundraising…
Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Feb 7, 2017
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Advocates, lawyers and immigrants respond to 'sanctuary city' threats
In response to promises from state and federal governments to knock out so-called “sanctuary cities” Wednesday, roughly 30 people crowded atop a rickety podium to announce their support of Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s immigration policy. At the local headquarters…
Travis County • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 26, 2017
Eckhardt weighs in on sheriff's new ICE policy
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt has issued a blistering response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s threat to turn off the state funding spigot for Travis County programs over Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s decision to stop cooperating with federal immigration officials at the…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jan 25, 2017
New sheriff defiantly reverses course on ICE cooperation
Travis County’s brand new Sheriff Sally Hernandez has thrown down the gauntlet at the feet of President Donald Trump. Late Friday afternoon, Hernandez officially announced, effective Feb. 1, the end of her office’s cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jan 20, 2017
Gómez brings seniority, optimism into 2017
Affordability, public safety, annexation and the Trump administration are at the top of Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez’s mind as she starts the second half of her latest term in office. Gómez is the longest-serving member of the Commissioners Court,…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jan 6, 2017
Daugherty, policy-obsessed viral sensation, starts fourth term with broad agenda
In October, Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty shot to international viral fame thanks to a campaign ad that sold him as an unmitigated policy geek. And based on his outlook for 2017, that was no act. In an interview with…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jan 6, 2017
Commissioner Brigid Shea: Preparing for the worst in 2017
Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea will spend her 2017 much as she spent her previous two years in office: ensuring that the county and its residents are ready for the threats posed by climate change. “I’ve worked on climate-related issues…