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Elections
Explainer: What it cost to run for Council in 2014
Each week the Explainer offers a closer look at stories we have been following. This week examines the relative costs of getting elected to Austin City Council in 2014. The 2014 Council election was, of course, the most expensive in city…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Jan 19, 2015
Council members consider cutting their own pay
On Thursday, as one of their first official acts as an elected body, City Council members will consider taking an action that could reduce their salaries. Specifically, the resolution on Thursday’s agenda directs the city manager to change the current…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 19, 2015
City orders study on bag ban that state may toss
Amid concerns that state leadership will take steps to limit city ordinances such as Austin’s plastic bag ban, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission has instructed city staff to study the ban in time to send the results to the state…
City Hall • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 16, 2015
GOP wants to restore Secure Communities program
A recent agreement between the City of Austin and Travis County over booking services at the county jail could be in jeopardy if congressional Republicans succeed in reversing President Obama’s executive orders on immigration policy. House Republicans voted out a…
Local Politics • By Mark Richardson • Jan 16, 2015
Council wraps up orientation, plans policy review
With their first full meeting less than two weeks away, members of the new City Council laid out a plan Thursday to study up on city policy. As a starting point, Council members were asked to consider a plan that…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 16, 2015
Local state reps talk turkey at RECA luncheon
On Wednesday, Rep. Paul Workman (R-Austin) and state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) gave members of the Real Estate Council of Austin a preview of the upcoming legislative session. Despite the partisan gap, the two representatives found some common ground during the…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 15, 2015
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Fate of Crestview land parcel remains in limbo
Though the fate of an Austin Energy-owned parcel of land in the Crestview neighborhood remains uncertain, there was an update about 6909 Ryan Drive last month. Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey wrote the Dec. 10 memo that provided…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 13, 2015
Explainer: D6 & D10 — elections and the future
Each week, the Explainer offers Monitor readers a closer look at stories we have been following. New City Council Members Sheri Gallo (District 10) and Don Zimmerman (District 6) represent two-thirds of what is perhaps the most interesting twist in…
Austin • By Michael Kanin • Jan 12, 2015
New Council plans change to meetings, committees
Wasting no time, Austin’s newly inaugurated City Council launched into a proposal Thursday to change its meetings and committee structures. The changes, members say, will make for a more efficient, more transparent city government. For now, the details of the…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 9, 2015
Adler wants group to study campaign finance rules
New Austin Mayor Steve Adler wants a group of reform-minded citizens to consider whether Austin needs to tweak its campaign finance rules. He has already talked to attorney Fred Lewis about helping with the project. Lewis, with a background in…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 9, 2015
Leffingwell says new Council will face challenges
Lee Leffingwell has now retired after serving for four years on the Austin City Council and nearly six years as mayor. The Austin Monitor recently asked him to talk about his favorite part of the job. “I tell people all…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 9, 2015
Zimmerman libel suit against Bulldog dismissed
Less than 24 hours after being sworn in to office as the new District 6 representative, City Council Member Don Zimmerman had his lawsuit against the Austin Bulldog dismissed and was ordered to pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Zimmerman…
