Statesman City Hall

03/10/2020

After shuttering South by Southwest amid concerns over the potential spread of the new coronavirus, city officials said all events with more than 2,500 people are prohibited unless approved by health officials. Smaller events will continue as planned. https://www.statesman.com/news/20200309/austin-puts-coronavirus-conditions-on-large-events

After shuttering South by Southwest amid concerns over the potential spread of the new coronavirus, city officials said all events with more than 2,500

01/31/2020

The city of Austin’s Communication and Technology Management Department wasted $95,000 of taxpayer money renting a data center it did not use for months, a recent audit shows. Read more here: https://www.statesman.com/news/20200131/investigation-finds-city-wasted-95000-renting-unused-data-center

The city of Austin’s Communication and Technology Management Department wasted $95,000 of taxpayer money renting a data center it did not use for

01/29/2020

RIP Zilker Zephyr?? https://www.statesman.com/news/20200129/zilker-zephyr-managers-say-theyrsquore-done-running-austinrsquos-tiny-train

After 22-years chugging through Zilker Park with cars full of giggling children and smiling families, managers of the Zilker Zephyr announced Wednesday

01/28/2020

Nearly one year after the stench of dead zebra mussels befouled the city’s water system, Austin Water now appears on the verge of attacking the dreaded mollusks. https://www.statesman.com/news/20200127/austin-arms-itself-in-fight-against-zebra-mussels

Nearly one year after the stench of dead zebra mussels befouled the city’s water system, Austin Water now appears on the verge of attacking the

01/28/2020

01/28/2020

Matthew Doherty, the former head of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness who was booted from his post by the Trump administration in November may be tapped to help address ongoing efforts to end homelessness in Austin. https://www.statesman.com/news/20200127/fed-homelessness-executive-removed-by-trump-administration-now-may-help-efforts-in-austin

The former head of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness who was booted from his post by the Trump administration in November may be tapped to help

12/31/2019

10/01/2019

Large coalition formed to push for transit as City Hall and Cap Metro pivot toward a 2020 transit bond: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190930/transit-for-austin-coalition-unites-community-leaders-in-public-transportation-push?template=ampart

The political push for new public transit began in earnest Monday as several groups, including some of the Austin area's largest businesses, leading

08/22/2018

LATEST ON MLS2ATX deal: “We think our sibling governmental partners should act as real partners and not make deals that we learn about the tax impact to us essentially after the fact,” Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea said:

Travis County isn’t giving up on collecting tax dollars on a potential Major League Soccer stadium that the Austin City Council waived.

08/01/2018

BREAKING: "It is becoming increasingly apparent that the CodeNEXT process, so divisive and poisoned, will not get us to a better place,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said:

Austin Mayor Steve Adler suggested Wednesday that the Austin City Council put an end to CodeNext, th...

07/11/2018

BREAKING: Big news from Austin, Texas City Council Member Ellen Troxclair:

Ellen Troxclair, Austin’s only conservative City Council member, will not seek a second term,...

07/11/2018

"The presence of ICE in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, places of worship, and homes, makes (civic participation and improved quality of life) impossible," reads a letter signed by Austin, Texas Council Member Gregorio Casar and 142 other officials:

Austin City Council member Greg Casar has added his name to an open letter calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

07/10/2018

LATEST FROM CITY BLOG: When a campaign volunteer arrived with a petition to support Kathie Tovo's bid for reelection, Linda O'Neal for City Council, District 9 replied, "No. I’m going to run against her":

When a campaign volunteer for City Council member Kathie Tovo knocked on Linda O'Neal's door asking for a signature on a petition to let Tovo run for a third term, O'Neal's answer was spontaneous. "I told the volunteer: 'No. I'm going to run against her,'" O'Neal said. "I...

07/09/2018

“When you work for the city, you’re a public servant, and the public has a right to know what your secondary employment is to see if there’s a conflict,” Austin, Texas attorney Fred Lewis said. “No one ever thinks they have a conflict; that’s why you have to disclose it.”

A year after Austin officials said they would create new policies for moonlighting city employees, t...

06/29/2018

“I believe there is a good deal to be made here,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said at 3:45 a.m., as the Austin, Texas City Council decided to start negotiations for a Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium while also accepting other pitches for McKalla Place:

Austin still doesn’t have a Major League Soccer team.

06/27/2018

With a critical Austin, Texas City Council vote two days away, the owners of the Columbus Crew SC sweeten the pot with a plan for affordable housing next to the proposed Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium:

Precourt Sports Ventures released Tuesday a conceptual site plan that, if implemented, would add aff...

06/26/2018

Front Steps Director Greg McCormack said bed bugs have been an ongoing issue at the shelter, but that the situation has improved with more frequent treatments:

The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) is responding after city public health officials...

06/26/2018

“We don’t see a disparity,” Austin Police Association president Ken Casaday told Fox News. “What we see is people breaking the law.”

Austin police union President Ken Casaday accused members of the Austin City Council of "grandstanding" and "race-baiting" during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday morning.