Point Austin: Uncivil Service

City Manager still overreacting to civil service proposal

"...Marc Ott's revised analysis of the potential cost of civil service protections for all city employees. City Council revised..."

Aug. 31, 2012 News Column

Dr. Smith's Patented Tort Reform

Putting the claim that limiting medical liability will save health care

"...tried twice in recent years to pass national tort reform, restricting the right of patients to sue incompetent or..."

Sept. 21, 2009 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Texans March for Immigration Reform

Friday's rally will challenge the Legislature's silence

"...to look less like The Simpsons' Mr. Burns, immigration reform is again leading the national conversation. Friday's March for..."

Feb. 21, 2013 News Post by Brandon Watson

D.A.-Elect José Garza Taps Reform Advocates for His Team

It's a new day in court for Austin's top law enforcement office

"...career in public defense and in crafting policy to reform the criminal justice system, and her hire sends a..."

Nov. 18, 2020 News Post by Austin Sanders

A Change in Direction for the Texas Civil Rights Project

New leadership doesn't sit well with the old guard

"...This spring, the board of trustees for the Texas Civil Rights Project, a community lawyering organization known for taking..."

Aug. 3, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Council Takes Action on Municipal Court Reform

City has 90 days to evaluate how it handles indigent defendants

"...draft guidelines to determine how many hours of community service could impose an undue hardship on defendants, and to..."

Aug. 19, 2016 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

Life After Meet-and-Confer

City, police get ready for civil service

"...city will go back to living under the state civil service law that regulates public safety entities – something..."

Dec. 22, 2017 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Page Two: The Long Scream

The endless Republican nightmare casts its shadow on health care reform

"...the Soviet/Red China model of health care offered as reform by the devil's weak and soulless minions is their..."

Feb. 12, 2010 Column by Louis Black

Advocates Push District Attorney to “No Call” Biased Cops

Criminal justice groups ask Moore to box out untrustworthy officers

"...letter released just before Thanksgiving, several local criminal justice reform groups asked Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore to..."

Dec. 4, 2019 News Post by Michael King

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...to opening some misconduct records, which required changing the civil service code. Once they pulled their bait and switch,..."

March 22, 2002 Column

"Strong-Mayor" Proposal Divides Austin's Progressives

Power to the people?

"...learn, and then to deplore, the fact that bureaucratic civil service protections in Texas state law make it impossible..."

March 5, 2021 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Council Hears Emotional Pleas for Change in Austin Police Leadership at Emergency Hearings

CMs join community in denouncing police violence at protests

"...has witnessed firsthand the failure of many attempts to reform and improve APD’s performance, said he was “really losing..."

June 5, 2020 News Post by Austin Sanders

Manley Makes His Exit

Police chief's 30-year career at APD will end March 28

"...Grassroots Lead­ership, Just Liberty, and other local criminal justice reform organizations to demand Manley's resignation as well as that..."

Feb. 19, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Yet Another Reason to Oppose Police Violence: It's Costing Us Millions of Dollars

Money for victims, perpetrators, and alternatives all comes from the same place

"...defend the city and Austin Police Department officers in civil lawsuits stemming from APD's use of force. With at..."

April 23, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

The Boys Club

Female employees say gender discrimination persists at City Hall. Could a new resolution fix the broken system?

"...process, and retaliation unpunished. Seek­ing an opportunity for much-needed reform, women are throwing their support behind a resolution proposed..."

Aug. 12, 2016 News Feature by Mary Tuma

Pushing for Real Police Oversight in Contract and on the Ballot

What exactly is a G File?

"...to Texas municipalities whose police officers (or firefighters) are civil service employees – that is, ones that don't have..."

July 15, 2022 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Point Austin: Chartering a New Course

A thumbnail portrait of the proposed City Charter propositions

"...Props. 1 & 2: Electoral Reform. Prop. 1 would move council elections from May to..."

Sept. 21, 2012 News Column by Michael King

Futrell Spares Knee: 'Moving Forward' at APD

Police chief scolded, not punished

"...department's reason for seeking an exemption to the state civil service law's officer disciplinary timeline, in order to "protect"..."

Feb. 25, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

One Woman’s Battle for Justice After a Cop’s Reckless Driving Killed Her Partner

One moment destroyed Pam Watts' life and created an activist

"...and the most overturned on appeal. Your avenue is civil court' – as if money could fix this or..."

Sept. 16, 2022 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Community, Policing

City, police union, activists arrive at compromise with new four-year contract

"...hard-won concessions and continue to look ahead to future reform measures...."

Nov. 16, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

This Way to the Big Top!

From budget disaster to hysterical bloodletting, the legislative circus is back in town

"...with tea party obsessions like nullifying federal health care reform and enabling state rejection of federal law. Right-wing zealot..."

Jan. 14, 2011 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Manley Holds On as APD Chief – for the Moment

No movement despite growing calls from council and the community that the APD needs new leadership

"...by the city manager (whom it can fire). State civil service law, at least as the city's lawyers read..."

June 26, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Hundreds Tell Council, APD That Big Change Must Happen – Now

Voices of sorrow and rage

"...has witnessed firsthand the failure of many attempts to reform and improve APD's performance, said he was "really losing..."

June 12, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Tatum Report Depicts Bleak Conditions for Accountability at APD

Is meaningful reform to address bias, bigotry “aspirational at best”?

"...and those who may be served by APD chaplain services with the denial of marital services to same sex..."

April 22, 2020 News Post by Austin Sanders

KeyPoint to Investigate Sanders Shooting

The decision has not escaped criticism

"...Kroll, which, among other things, has experience in "police reform matters" – the company acted as independent monitor for..."

Aug. 28, 2009 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

"...-- coinciding protests held around the world to promote reform of marijuana laws. Meet at high noon (wink, wink)..."

May 3, 2002 News Feature by Lauri Apple

Chartering a Course

A preview of the Charter Revisions Proposals

"...backers of the most recent charter amendment -- campaign-finance reform, with its $100 limit on contributions to candidates, sponsored..."

Feb. 15, 2002 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

A Month After Mike Ramos Died, Some Hesitant Steps Toward Accountability

Justice comes slowly

"...Moore said, "I reviewed the case today with my civil rights director [Dexter Gilford], and we believe the investigation..."

June 5, 2020 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Austin Police Chief Brian Manley Announces Retirement

Manley's 30-year career with APD will end March 28

"..., Grassroots Leadership, Just Liberty, and other criminal justice reform organizations to demand Manley’s resignation as well as that..."

Feb. 12, 2021 News Post by Austin Sanders

“A Bitter Pill”

APD begins life under Chapter 143

"...concerns about a department operating under the state's rigid civil service statute (referred to ominously these days as Chap­ter..."

Jan. 5, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

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