Judge for yourselves: Is this proper behavior?

Ok, Judge Sarah Eckhardt is by no means a judicial figure. She was voted in by a Democrat county electorate to a position traditionally called "County Judge" but is more accurately a county administrator on a Texas constitutional Commissioners Court. She doesn't sit on a "bench" and isn't subject to judicial ethics, contrary to social media pleas to "disbar" her.

This would explain a lot ... if true

This is making the rounds on the Central Texas conservative social media scene this week, but the Tracker cannot verify whether this was an actual offer made via Craigslist. If you ended up with $40 cash money leave a comment! We want in on some of that Soros cash!

The post has since been taken down by Craigslist.

Trailer Park Gang digs into education freedom during School Choice Week

Monday marked the beginning of National School Choice Week, and the Trailer Park Show didn't miss a beat -- even while longtime host James "Slow Pokey" Ritter is still in recovery.

Peggy Venable, a face you may remember from Americans for Prosperity-Texas but who is now an education policy expert with Texas Public Policy Foundation, discussed several important topics to maximizing taxpayer dollars by giving parents (e.g. taxpayers) the freedom to choose where their children receive their public education. She is joined by hosts Marilyn Jackson and Mike Lee.

Learn more about school choice in Texas by clicking the video link above.

We would be remiss to not make mention of a HUGE school choice rally that took place at the Texas Capitol today. Around 4,000 people gathered at the South Steps of the capitol and wore the movement's trademark yellow scarves to support a variety of options to reform public ed. It was organized by Travis County's own Randan Steinhauser and supported by countless other Austin-area activists and educators. Our apologies for not listing everyone! Click here for highlights.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in support of School Choice activists.
(Photo courtesy of Red Sonja of the Conservatives in Action blog)

Conservatives well-represented at KLRU inauguration roundtable

Nubia Devine defending American values

Austin's PBS affiliate, KLRU-TV, hosted a roundtable discussion following the presidential inauguration on Friday. And though the commentary on a PBS station may often track to the left, Friday's community discussion was pleasantly balanced.

Travis County GOP Chairman James Dickey notes that the following persons were among the conservative voices on the panel: winery entrepreneur Ryan Laffen, public relations specialist Nubia Devine, longtime Republican grassroots leader Earl Wellborn, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation's general counsel Robert Henneke.

Watch the entire exchange here, moderated by Austin broadcasting veteran Judy Maggio:
https://www.facebook.com/KLRUAustinPBS/videos/10155763000806038

What do you think? Was it a fair hearing for Republicans? Weigh-in on the comments section below.

Zimmerman launches new radio show

Former City Councilman Don Zimmerman just wrapped up the first episode of his new radio show, "The Taxpayers Voice of Reason."

The two-hour show, to air Saturdays at 3 p.m. on "The Bridge," KTXW-AM, 1120, today featured in-studio guests former Republican candidate for HD 46 Gabriel Nila and this writer as today's co-host. Bob Phillips, host of the station's evening drive program, called in to congratulate Zimmerman on his radio venture.

Callers included local attorney David Rogers addressing immigration and Travis County GOP Chairman James Dickey summarizing his view on local reactions to the presidential inauguration.

A description from the show's website:

Trump's inaugural address: a Rorsach test

Travis County Republican Party James Dickey had a unique take on Donald Trump's first speech as President of the United States.

People’s reactions to it are much less about what was actually said than they are about us, our ideological positions, and the subtext we read into the words because of what we’ve seen and heard from Trump and others in the past.

Read more (and the speech itself) here:

http://jamesrdickey.com/president-trumps-inauguration-speech

Austin inaugurates the new president in its own mellow way (Nothing to see here)

Not-so-mass protest (Courtesy Mark Loeffler)

As a contrast to broken windows and blocked traffic reported in some protests in parts of these United States, Austin retained its trademark casual vibe as inauguration protesters took to the streets.

OK, so a pinata of Donald Trump was lit on fire. That's about as bad as it got, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Texas Public Policy Foundation reportedly had Black Lives Matter-esque protesters at their watch party/discussion event, but the Austin Police Department was quick to escort them out.

Travis GOP Chairman James Dickey filmed via Facebook Live a "parade" cutting off his commute home from the Travis County GOP's happy hour at Ten Oak. He reports 20-30 in attendance at the happy hour, but warnings to avoid downtown may have cut down on the numbers a bit: https://www.facebook.com/jamesrdickey/videos/10211933716803756

Mark Loeffler took the above shot from his perch in the Stephen F. Austin State Office Building of protesters in not-so-mass numbers along North Congress Avenue -- mostly likely spillover from protests at the University of Texas.

The best view, however, was caught by Austin's own Rob Hale in his visit to the inauguration in Washington D.C. He shares via Twitter (@RobHale15) Executive One leaving with the Obamas on board.

Happy Inauguration Day, Austin!

If you have any inauguration protest or celebration anecdotes you'd like to share, please leave a comment.

Dukes Chronicles: Democrats do right by the public (but more must be done)

"A source" told the Austin American-Statesman that Rep. Dawnna Dukes will be indicted on 15 counts and could face up to a 28-year sentence.

Read more:

http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/source-rep-dawnna-dukes-indicted-counts-faces-years/pe366o4slS5iqAfNhsMQwI

"Now will the Travis County Democrats take a stand, or will this be another one of those situations in which the Dems in the DA's office stall and maneuver their way to dismissal or a mere slap on the wrist?" "a source" told the Travis Tracker.

Dukes' 2016 Republican challenger, Gabriel Nila, released a statement today:

New Texas Ethics Commission director fond of anti-Trump diaper pin

All polemics and apologetics aside, we understand the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) can often be used as a battering ram against one's political enemies.

Whether or not you agree with that assertion, it is a growing suspicion that the TEC is being used to silence conservative opposition to the powers that be in the Texas Legislature.

So is it a good PR move for an embattled agency to appoint a new Executive Director who brandishes a symbol for opposition to President-elect Donald Trump? See Facebook screenshot below -- and apologies if we have the wrong Seana Beckerman Willing or if that's a special type of collectible safety pin we're not aware of.

Hey Cedar Park: stand by your flag

Was it really worth bringing a well-meaning citizen to tears over? Now come on, Cedar Park!

Given, the winning design of the new Cedar Park official flag is reminiscent of Amsterdam's (see Cedar Park's original flag design contest flyer below -- they were asking for it!) the color scheme is spot-on and matches the landscape of the Texas Hill Country. The design stands out from among the banality of most city flags with nothing more than a city seal or tourism department logo on a plain background.

And then there are historic examples of controversial flag designs that, when proven unpopular, simply faded into obscurity without the need to assail anyone's creativity or revoke their claim to fame. You made a decision, Cedar Park. Now stand by it ... at least for awhile.

Dems silent as Rep. Dukes breaks promise to take 85th Lege oath

Taking an 'oath' of office

Mas triste is the way a Republican challenger described an East Austin state rep's decision not to step down as promised; his plans to celebrate the beginning of a special election for the Texas House District 46 seat postponed indefinitely.

At the same time, Gabriel Nila is not one to mope about eastern Travis following this and another setback on election night in November. Rather, he has his chin up and is looking at Rep. Dawnna Dukes' recalcitrance as an opportunity to build the community.