Accomplishments

The list of accomplishments below are not mine alone.  This list represents the hard work of countless county employees, private citizens and other public and private partnerships sometimes pre-dating my arrival in office.

  • Wrote, passed, and defended Toll Road Covenants at CAMPO
  • Voted against 183A tolls subsidizing the 290E Toll Road
  • Voted for concentrating transportation funding in population centers and away from less populated areas
  • Advocated for local option transportation funding at the Texas Legislature
  • Completed the first two of a three phase extension of Wells Branch Parkway
  • Completed the expansion of Gattis School Road
  • Completed the Travis County portion of the Pecan Street improvements in Pflugerville
  • Purchased significant green spaces toward the completion of
    • the Balcones Canyonland Preserve
    • the Onion Creek Trail; and
    • the Gilleland Creek Trail
  • Added a Cricket Pitch and in the process of adding a Skate Park to Northeast Metro Park
  • Advocated for the swiftest possible transition away from housing the mentally ill in jail and toward increased emergency mental health capacity in healthcare settings
  • Prevented destructive recreational use of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve
  • Prevented destructive use of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve as a site for Water Treatment Plant 4
  • Advocated for transportation planning to reduce area tailpipe emissions at CAMPO
  • Supported alternative commute options through programs available to Travis County employees, through policy choices at CAMPO and through my personal transportation choice (I ride my bike as often as I can)
  • Won $3.5 million settlement from developers for fouling Hamilton Pool
  • Voted for the creation of the Waller Creek Tunnel
  • Implemented more stringent county water quality and storm water regulations
  • Opposed the expansion of the WMI and BFI landfills on 290E
  • Established the Travis County Green Committee to reduce Travis County government’s carbon footprint
  • Established the Travis County Tax Team to relieve the burden of county property taxes on those least able to afford them
  • Supported successful creation of more public defender offices such as the Offices of Parent and Child Representation and the Mental Health Public Defender’s Office
  • Supported specialized courts to reduce repeat offenses of DWI, Public Intoxication, drug use, and family violence
  • Supported the Community Care (formerly the Health Care District) clinic expansion on Braker Lane
  • Advocated for the expansion of  workforce training, after school programs, summer youth programs, rent and utility assistance, mortgage down payment assistance, and child care for the most vulnerable Travis County residents
  • Advocated for transparent and performance based budgeting and contract awards to achieve the best and most cost effective government services.
  • Supported the e-agenda process improvement to reduce paper and increase transparency and accessibility of governmental operations, which will be implemented in Fall 2010
  • Supported publishing county code to the web, which will be completed by Fall 2011
  • Advocated for the creation of a Travis County Intergovernmental Relations Office to increase Travis County collaboration with regional and state governmental entities to achieve the highest collective efficiency and effectiveness.