Travis County Judge Andy Brown has committed to pushing forward with the development of a mental health diversion center and the pursuit of enhanced passenger rail service in the region, focusing his agenda on improving community safety and mobility.
During an interview with the Austin Monitor, Brown reiterated his goals for tackling the opioid epidemic, which has seen a troubling rise in accidental overdose deaths. The county has dedicated an additional $300,000 to methadone services and teamed up with the University of Texas' TxCOPE for regional data collection, to better understand, and respond to the crisis. The county has also increased distribution and awareness of Narcan, a life-saving drug that reverses opioid overdoses.
Reflecting on the strides made in 2023, Brown cited the county's progress in responding to natural disasters under his tenure. After a significant ice storm revealed weaknesses in infrastructure and emergency response, improvements were implemented, including protecting sand piles from turning into "ice buckets" and the use of more effective anti-icing treatments during storms, Judge Brown told the Austin Monitor.
With wildfire risks escalating this past summer, coordination efforts between county, regional, and state emergency management proved critical. Despite political differences with the state government, Brown acknowledged, "We actually work well with TDEM making sure that our emergency services and the city of Austin wildland fire response groups are working together well," according to an Austin Monitor interview.
Brown is also a strong advocate for improving the county's social safety net. The Commissioners Court allocated $110 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds to a myriad of area nonprofits, while the remaining $51 million is earmarked for combating mental health, addiction, eviction, and other pressing needs of the community. Speaking on the impact these initiatives may have, Brown stated, "The end result would be – after all that $110 million is out – would be about 1,500 units largely of supportive housing that the county will have added to the community when this is done," he revealed in the Austin Monitor interview.
Regarding transportation, Judge Brown is putting his weight behind the idea of a high-speed rail connecting Central Texas cities, which he believes could be a reality in the next few years. Texas Central and Amtrak have already announced collaborative plans for a high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston, with the potential extension to Austin, San Antonio, and even Monterrey on the horizon. "My sense is that if Amtrak agrees to help fund that and includes that in this national high-speed rail plan, then that would be very likely," Brown conveyed to the Austin Monitor.
Brown praised the county's recent move to extend paid parental leave from eight to 12 weeks, recognizing the positive effect it's had on approximately 100 families thus far. As 2024 progresses, the judge reaffirms his twin focus on the mental health diversion center and passenger rail initiatives, viewing them as vital components of a safer and more connected Travis County.
