Cutting $600 million from the Texas Criminal Justice System to avoid even more cuts to programs serving children, the elderly and disabled may have seemed like a good option to budget writers dealing with a $27 billion shortfall over the next biennium.  But taking this course could overwhelm the capacity of state prisons, according to a report shared with the Senate Criminal Justice Committee yesterday.  The report by the Justice Center, a research affiliate of the Council of State Governments, states the cuts could result in a shortage of 12,000 prison beds due to reduced rehabilitation, probation and treatment programs.  

  

According to an Austin American Statesman report on the presentation to the Senate Committee, legislators were surprised by these new estimates. 

The Center for Public Policy Priorities has prepared a county-by-county analysis of the impact of the effects of proposed state budget cuts to state services.  The analysis considers the impact of cuts to public schools, higher education and health and human services (including Medicaid) on the people who live in each county.  Visit www.cppp.org to see the spreadsheets.  Contact Eva de Luna Castro for questions.

Last week the Planning Commission adopted a Preferred Growth Scenario for Austin's future growth.  That scenario and the accompanying vision statement will go the Austin City Council on March 10th.  Once that is accomplished, Austin will have a vision for its future and a broad map of where future growth will occur and the community can move on to Phase 3 of the planning process.  

 

The City is currently in the process of building Working Groups around 7 broad topic areas to begin developing the policies to accomplish the vision and growth scenario.  Learn more and become engaged in planning Austin's future.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has recognized the Seton Family of Hospitals for reducing the number of injuries to newborns during childbirth.  Seton achieved the lowest birth trauma rate in the nation with an initiative that limited the use of forceps, vacuum deliveries and elective inductions before 39 weeks of gestation.  "We're proud to recognize Seton for this accomplishment because it shows how good medicine is also good public policy," said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Thomas Suehs. "This initiative leads to healthier babies, and it also saves money for taxpayers by reducing the number of Medicaid births with complications."

Learn more.

 

You have until this Friday, March 4th to let the City of Austin know what you think are the important qualities and experiences to look for in a new Director of Health and Humana Services.  The Director supervises a staff of more than 500 in a department that offers a broad range of programs and services, including disease surveillance and epidemiology, environmental health, operation of WIC clinics, and refugee health screenings. Forward your ideas to either Heidi Voorhees at Heidijvoorhees@gmail.com or Edna Pina Santos at Edna.Santos@ci.austin.tx.us.

Austin Travis County integral Care is hosting a meeting of community stakeholders who provide behavioral health services and supports to vets and their families.  The Veterans Stakeholders Meeting will be held this Friday, March 4th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St. Health and behavioral health professionals, law enforcement, educators, faith-based organizations and all other providers who work to help vets reenter family and community life are welcome to this planning meeting.  The goal of the advisory group will be to identify community resources and service gaps.  The group will also develop strategies to reach out to the community to make more people aware of services available to veterans and their families.  RSVP to jessika.martinez@atcic.org.

The City of Austin is anticipating cuts in programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) this coming fiscal year and is seeking community input on how shrinking dollars can best be spent.  This federal funding assists with affordable housing, community development, economic devleopment and public service needs. A series of public hearings will begin on Tuesday, March 8th.  Click here for more details on how to share what you think our priorities should be for the use of these public funds.