How did Austin Republicans vote on issues compared to the rest of Texas?

You know those 10 questions at the end of the Republican ballot? Assuming you were one of the 6% of voters who turned out for the GOP primary here in Travis County, you would have seen 10 questions at the end of the ballot (by comparison, Democrats had a 7% turnout statewide).

While they aren't proposed laws or new planks for consideration in the party platform, they are non-binding opinion polls that show where Republican voters are on numerous issues central to party priorities.

The State Republican Executive Committee comes up with the referenda -- one of which (No. 7) was put forth by member Olga Lasher, who represents Senate District 14. She put together a handy chart to show the difference between statewide and Travis County totals. It may be that Travis County Republicans are slightly more liberal than their statewide peers. And it could be that the lower margins reflect a trend of crossover voting (e.g. liberal voters voting in the GOP primary for one reason or another). Either way, Travis County Republicans are still giving landslide approval to these critical issues, from abortion to elections reform.

'Which is it?' ask Candlewood critics: elderly facility, domestic violence shelter, or something else entirely ...

Mayor Adler: he's no Monty Hall

Perhaps the City of Austin is telling skeptical taxpayers "Let's Make a Deal" when it comes to contradictory announcements on how to use an embattled hotel property it purchased last year.

Somewhat like the famed television game show, the Austin City Council has suggested, at various times over the past year, three ways to use the former Candlewood Suites on Pecan Park Boulevard in Northwest Austin. And which one is the real plan (if any) is anyone's guess. Here they are:

• Behind Door No. 1: a general permanent supportive housing project similar to others being implemented across the city, as discussed before the purchase.
  
  
• Behind Door No. 2: a women's shelter for domestic violence victims, as announced when the property was purchased by the Austin City Council over the summer.
  
  
• And Behind Door No. 3: a shelter for the elderly, as a Feb. 3 vote to partner with non-profit Family Eldercare would suggest. 

Project Connect claims first victim: century-old campus diner Dirty Martin's

UPDATE: The restaurant is circulating a petition here.

It may have been only a matter of time in Austin's ever-changing economic climate. But the passage of a recent light rail expansion bond may have greatly accelerated the demise of one of the places that claims to be "Austin's oldest restaurant." 

Dirty Martin's Place, open since 1926 and originally known as Martin's KumBak (earning its nickname due to its earlier lack of flooring) is apparently in the way of the Orange Line of Project Connect. It has remained a hot spot for adjacent University of Texas students for the entire time, and maintains an outdoor garden area popular in the evenings.

Manager Daniel Young, via a forum dedicated to Austin's many past-and-present greasy spoons, confirmed rumors the establishment had received notice of potential eminent domain proceedings from the city: