The Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse is the county courthouse for Travis County, Texas . Located in downtown Austin, Texas (the county seat ), the courthouse holds civil and criminal trial courts and other functions of county government. The courthouse was built between 1930 and 1931 in the then-contemporary PWA Moderne style, and it was later expanded in 1958 and 1962.
81-552: Travis County 's first purpose-built courthouse was a modest two-story stone structure built in 1855 near Republic Square in downtown Austin . This courthouse was replaced by a larger building in 1876 and was eventually demolished in 1906. The second Travis County Courthouse was a three-story limestone building designed in a monumental Second Empire style, built along the south side of the Texas State Capitol . The county's needs outgrew this building, too, and in 1931 it
162-601: A gross receipts tax . Article 9 provides rules for the creation of counties ( now numbering 254 ) and for determining the location of county seats. It also includes several provisions regarding the creation of county-wide hospital districts in specified counties, as well as other miscellaneous provisions regarding airports and mental health. Article 10 contains a single section declaring that railroads are considered "public highways" and railroad carriers " common carriers ". Eight other sections were repealed in 1969. Article 11 recognizes counties as legal political subunits of
243-563: A hospital district , was established in 2004. Brackenridge Hospital was originally built as the City-County Hospital in 1884 but Travis County ended its share of the ownership in 1907. In 2017 Brackenridge was replaced by the Dell Seton Medical Center . 30°20′N 97°47′W / 30.33°N 97.78°W / 30.33; -97.78 Constitution of Texas The Constitution of
324-632: A median household income of $ 68,350 per year, and a per capita income of $ 38,820 per year. 13.9% of the population lived below the poverty level . The county's largest employers are governments (the State of Texas, the US Federal Government, Travis County and the City of Austin) and public education bodies. Other major employers are concentrated in industries relating to semiconductors , software engineering and healthcare . Travis County
405-612: A city with a population of 5,000 or fewer has only those powers granted to it by general law; Section 5 permits a city, once its population exceeds 5,000, to adopt a charter under home rule provided the charter is not inconsistent with limits placed by the Texas Constitution or general law (the city may amend to maintain home rule status even if its population subsequently falls to 5,000 or fewer). School districts may adopt home rule regardless of size, but none have chosen to do so. Article 12 contains two sections directing
486-644: A county-owned downtown lot near the site of the first county courthouse, and on August 18, 2015, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to propose a $ 287 million municipal bond issuance to fund a new courthouse complex. In the November 2015 general election, however, the bond measure was rejected by Travis County voters, and the county instead enacted a "preservation master plan" in January 2016 to provide for necessary repairs to
567-485: A large number of exceptions to those limitations. Two-thirds (2/3) of the elected members in either chamber constitutes a quorum to do business therein (Section 10), contrary to the provision for the United States Congress requiring only a majority (this larger requirement has resulted in occasions where a significant number of members from one political party, in an attempt to stop legislation, have in
648-526: A new Republic of Texas. After Texas Vice President Mirabeau B. Lamar visited central Texas during a buffalo -hunting expedition between 1837 and 1838, he proposed that the republic's capital (then located in Houston ) be relocated to a site on the north bank of the Colorado River . In 1839 the site was officially chosen as the republic's new capital and given the name Waterloo ; shortly thereafter
729-406: A new jail. Construction on the new jail began in 1981, and Travis County officially took ownership of the new jail in 1986 after costs had ballooned to more than $ 21 million. On October 21, 1988, US Magistrate Judge Stephen Capelle ordered the old jail closed by December 1990, however, the jail wound up being retired early, on April 6, 1990. Coincidentally, the lawsuit that ultimately resulted in
810-565: A single section establishing the General Land Office (the office of Commissioner of the General Land Office is discussed under Article IV). Seven other sections were repealed in 1969. Article 15 describes the process of impeachment and lists grounds on which to impeach judges. The House of Representatives is granted the power of impeachment, while the Senate has power to try all impeachments. No person may be convicted save by
891-541: A site by the Colorado River near Barton Springs . The friars found conditions undesirable and relocated to the San Antonio River within a year of their arrival. In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain, and the new government enacted laws encouraging colonists to settle the Texas frontier by granting them land and reduced taxation. Over the next decade, thousands of foreign immigrants (primarily from
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#1732798528363972-537: A variety of nomadic Native American tribes inhabited the area. These indigenous peoples fished and hunted along the creeks, including present-day Barton Springs , which proved to be a reliable campsite. At the time of the first permanent settlement of the area, the Tonkawa tribe was the most common, with the Comanches and Lipan Apaches also frequenting the area. The region (along with all of modern Texas)
1053-409: Is also elected at-large for a four-year term. The Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse is located in downtown Austin . The county courthouse holds civil and criminal trial courts and other functions of county government. As of 2017 , the county's probate courts are in the process of being moved from the county courthouse into Austin's 1936 United States Courthouse , which was acquired by
1134-672: Is located in Central Texas . As of the 2020 census , the population was 1,290,188. It is the fifth-most populous county in Texas . Its county seat and most populous city is Austin , the state's capital. The county was established in 1840 and is named in honor of William Barret Travis , the commander of the Republic of Texas forces at the Battle of the Alamo . Travis County is part of
1215-558: Is one of the most consistently Democratic counties in Texas, having voted for the Democratic presidential nominee all but five times since 1932. The only exceptions have been the Republican landslide years of 1952, 1956, 1972 and 1984, when Dwight Eisenhower , Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan each won over 400 electoral votes, and 2000, when the Republican nominee was incumbent Texas Governor George W. Bush . In 2005 Travis County
1296-770: Is served by a number of public school districts; the largest is Austin Independent School District , serving most of Austin. Other districts wholly or mainly located in Travis County include Eanes ISD , Lake Travis ISD , Lago Vista ISD , Leander ISD , Del Valle ISD , Manor ISD , and Pflugerville ISD . Parts of Elgin ISD , Coupland ISD , Hutto ISD , Round Rock ISD , Marble Falls ISD , Johnson City ISD , Dripping Springs ISD and Hays Consolidated ISD also cross into Travis County. State-operated schools include: Texas Blind, Deaf, and Orphan School
1377-659: Is the "Chief Executive Officer of the State" and the "Commander in Chief of the military forces of the State, except when they are called in actual service of the United States". He is vested with power to call forth the Militia, convene the Legislature for special session in extraordinary occasions, to execute the laws of the State, and to fill up vacancies not otherwise provided for by law, if consented to by two-thirds of
1458-838: The Balcones Fault , the boundary between the Edwards Plateau to the west and the Texas Coastal Plain to the east. The western part of the county is characterized by the karst topography of the Texas Hill Country , while the eastern part exhibits the fertile plains and farmlands of the Blackland Prairie . The Colorado River meanders through the county from west to east, forming a series of man-made lakes ( Lake Travis , Lake Austin , and Lady Bird Lake ). The limestone karst geology of
1539-638: The Constitution of Alabama , even with the latter being recompiled as a new document in 2022 and having obsolete, duplicative, and overtly racist provisions removed) and is also the third-most amended state constitution (only the Alabama and California constitutions have been amended more often). From 1876 to 2024 (following the 88th Legislature ), the Texas Legislature proposed 714 constitutional amendments. Of that total, 530 were approved by
1620-566: The Democratic Party. *appointed to fill a vacancy **court created in 2023 The board governing the Austin Community College district , which Travis County is a part of alongside Hays , Caldwell , and Blanco counties, as well as portions of Williamson , Bastrop , Guadalupe , Lee , and Fayette counties. Members are elected in nonpartisan elections and serve six year terms. As of 2017, Travis County had
1701-642: The Justice of the Peace Courts. Article 6 denies voting rights to minors, felons, and people who are deemed mentally incompetent by a court (though the Legislature may make exceptions in the latter two cases). It also describes rules for elections. Qualified voters are, except in treason, felony and breach of peace, privileged from arrest when attending at the polls, going and returning therefrom. Article 7 establishes provisions for public schools , asylums, and universities. Section 1 states, "it shall be
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#17327985283631782-791: The NAACP , and his suit was heard in Texas District Court in the Travis County Courthouse in June 1946 and again in May 1947, where Sweatt's case was argued by a young Thurgood Marshall . After the state established a temporary "School of Law of the Texas State University for Negroes," the district court found that the state had fulfilled its constitutional obligations to Sweatt; Sweatt appealed his suit to
1863-487: The PWA Moderne architectural style of many Great Depression -era public buildings, with its symmetrical rectangular forms, recessed vertical window bays, and smooth stonework exterior decorated with neoclassical flourishes and geometric detailing. The building was designed by the firm of local architect Charles Henry Page (well known for his work on other Texas courthouses of the period). The construction contractor
1944-800: The Supreme Court of the United States , however, and in 1950 the Supreme Court ruled in Sweatt v. Painter that Sweatt should be admitted to the University of Texas. On October 21, 2005, Travis County renamed its courthouse the "Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse" in honor of this notable trial in the history of the Civil Rights Movement . The Travis County Courthouse is a six-story steel-and-concrete building clad with cream-colored limestone . Its design exemplifies
2025-684: The Texas Agriculture Commissioner is also directly elected, that is the result of Legislative action, not a Constitutional requirement.) The qualifications of the Governor of Texas is that he is at least thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and had resided in the State for at least five years preceding his election. The Governor is prohibited from holding any other office, whether civil, military or corporate, during his tenure in office, nor may he practice (or receive compensation for) any profession. The Governor
2106-484: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,023 square miles (2,650 km ), of which 990 square miles (2,600 km ) is land and 33 square miles (85 km ) (3.2% of the territory) is water. Travis County is located in the southern part of central Texas , between San Antonio and Dallas–Fort Worth . The county's geographical center lies two miles northwest of downtown Austin at 30°18' north latitude and 97°45' west longitude. Travis County straddles
2187-610: The US Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges . Section 4 gives freedom from religious tests at the public and private level, and while never invalidated by Texas legislature or overruled by the US Supreme Court, it has been argued that it makes a religious test , by requiring officeholders to "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being" and therefore would be subject to removal if it were brought to
2268-750: The Austin– Round Rock – Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area . It is located along the Balcones Fault , the boundary between the Edwards Plateau to the west and the Blackland Prairie to the east. Evidence of habitation of the Balcones Escarpment region of Texas can be traced to at least 11,000 years ago. Two of the oldest Paleolithic archeological sites in Texas, the Levi Rock Shelter and Smith Rock Shelter , are in southwest and southeast Travis County, respectively. Several hundred years before European settlers arrived,
2349-563: The Governor's signature if the bill passes both chambers by a two-thirds vote, unless otherwise specified in the bill. If the bill does not pass by this majority it takes effect on the first day of the next fiscal year (in Texas, the fiscal year runs from September 1 until August 31). The largest Section within this article is Section 49 ("State Debts"), which includes 30 separate sub-sections (including two sub-sections both added in 2003 and both curiously numbered as "49-n", along with two other sub-sub-sections numbered "49-d-14"). Section 49 limits
2430-746: The Governor, being affixed with the State Seal and attested to by the Secretary of State. Under Section 16 of this article, the Lieutenant Governor automatically assumes the power of Governor if and when the Governor travels outside of the state, or is subject to impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives. Article 5 describes the composition, powers, and jurisdiction of the state's Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and District, County, and Commissioners Courts, as well as
2511-549: The Legislature to enact general laws for the creation of private corporations and prohibiting the creation of private corporations by special law. Four other sections were repealed in 1969, and a fifth section in 1993. Article 13 established provisions for Spanish and Mexican land titles from the Mexican War Era to please the Mexican government. This article was repealed in its entirety in 1969. Article 14 contains
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2592-437: The Senate has been delivered. Article 16 contains miscellaneous provisions, including limits on interest rates, civil penalties for murder, and the punishment for bribery. Section 14 All civil officers shall reside within the State; and all district or county officers within their districts or counties, and shall keep their offices at such places as may be required by law; and failure to comply with this condition shall vacate
2673-506: The Senate. The Governor has a qualified negative on all bills passed by the Legislature, which may be overridden by two-thirds of both Houses of the Legislature by votes of the yeas and nays. Finally, the Secretary of State (who has the constitutional duty of keeping the Seal of the State) is appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. All commissions are signed by
2754-421: The State of Texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of Texas and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of Texas. The current document was adopted on February 15, 1876, and is the seventh constitution in Texas history (including the Mexican constitution). The previous six were adopted in 1827 (while Texas was still part of Mexico and half of
2835-444: The State, grants certain powers to cities and counties, empowers the legislature to form school and other special districts. Texas operates under Dustin's Rule : counties and non-school special districts are not granted home rule privileges, while cities and school districts have those privileges only in the limited instances specified below. Sections 4 and 5 discuss the operation of cities based on population. Section 4 states that
2916-498: The US Supreme Court, as what happened with the case Silverman v. Campbell in South Carolina . Section 11 guarantees that every person detained prior to trial are bailable by sufficient sureties, save for Capital offenses, subject to specific exceptions. Article 2 provides for the separation of powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the state government, prohibiting each branch from encroaching on
2997-480: The United States) moved into Texas; in particular, American empresario Stephen F. Austin established one of his colonies near what is now Bastrop, Texas (in future Travis County) in 1827. Josiah and Mathias Wilbarger, Reuben Hornsby, Jacob M. Harrell, and John F. Webber were early settlers who moved into the area in the early 1830s. In 1836 Texas declared and won its independence from Mexico, forming
3078-494: The age of 18 living with them, 42.60% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.70% were non-families. 30.10% of all households were composed of individuals, and 4.40% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.15. 12.0% were of German , 7.7% English , 6.6% Irish and 5.5% American ancestry according to Census 2000 The population's age distribution
3159-422: The budgets for county officials and agencies. The judge and commissioners are elected for four-year terms (the judge at-large, and the commissioners from geographic precincts). The other major county-wide official is the county clerk , who maintains the county's records, administers elections , and oversees legal documentation (such as property deeds , marriage licenses and assumed name certificates ). The clerk
3240-532: The city's name was changed to Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin . A new county was also established the following year, of which Austin would be the seat; the county was named Travis County , after William B. Travis . Though the Republic's capital moved briefly back to Houston during the events surrounding the Texas Archive War , by 1845 Austin was again the capital, and it became the capital of
3321-473: The closure of the jail was filed the same year as Ruiz v. Estelle , whose plaintiff, Austinite David Ruiz, alleged cruel and unusual punishment in the TDCJ Wynne Unit of Huntsville, Texas In the early 2010s, as population growth in Travis County continued to strain the courthouse's capacity, the county made plans to replace the 1931 courthouse with a new, still larger facility. Officials selected
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3402-419: The conditions in the then 280-person jail on the top two floors of the courthouse constituted cruel and unusual punishment . On July 31, 1974, Federal District Judge Jack Roberts wrote an opinion stating that county commissioners "have failed to meet their responsibilities in providing a safe and suitable jail for Travis County". On December 9, 1978, Travis County voters approved an $ 8.5 million bond package for
3483-464: The consent of two-thirds of the Senators present, who have taken an oath or affirmation to impartially try the impeached. Judgement in impeachment cases does not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification from public office. The convicted remains subject to trial, indictment and punishment according to law. All officers while subject to impeachment charges are suspended until the verdict by
3564-438: The county jail on the top two floors. As of 2017, it now houses two county civil courts, a justice of the peace court, thirteen Texas district courts, two district clerks, and two probate courts, though the probate courts are set to be relocated into the former federal courthouse building by 2020. [REDACTED] Media related to Travis County Courthouse at Wikimedia Commons Travis County, Texas Travis County
3645-651: The county in 2016. The Travis County Jail and the Travis County Criminal Justice Center are located in Downtown Austin. The Travis County Correctional Complex is located in an unincorporated area in Travis County, next to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport . The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Travis County State Jail, a state jail for men, in eastern Austin . Travis County
3726-425: The county include Texas Highway Loop 1 (the "Mopac Expressway"), which runs from north to south through the center of the county, and Texas Highway 45 , which forms parts of an incomplete highway loop around Austin. Texas Highway 130 (constructed as an alternative to IH-35 for long-distance traffic wishing to avoid Austin and San Antonio) also runs from north to south through the sparsely populated eastern part of
3807-403: The county's courts and offices moved in from the previous courthouse building. As the county continued to grow, substantial additions to the facility were made in 1958 and 1962. When the courthouse opened in 1931 it did so with a jail on the top floor. From 1962 to 1964, this jail was expanded to additional floors. In December 1972, twelve inmates brought suit against the county, alleging that
3888-636: The county. Amtrak 's Austin station is located in downtown Austin and is served by the Texas Eagle which runs daily between Chicago and San Antonio , continuing on to Los Angeles several times a week. Travis County is served by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Austin Western Railroad . According to the census of 2010, there were 1,024,266 people, 320,766 households, and 183,798 families residing in
3969-407: The county. The population density was 1,034 persons per square mile (399 persons/km ). There were 335,881 housing units at an average density of 340 units per square mile (130 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 68.21% White, 9.26% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 4.47% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 14.56% other races, and 2.85% from two or more races. 28.20% of
4050-422: The district vote for justices. Justices serve six year terms in at-large seats with no term limits, besides a mandatory retirement age of 75 years old. Following the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats held a majority on the 3rd Court of Appeals. Since 2022, Democrats have held all six seats. Judges serve a 4-year term, with no term limits . As of March 2024, all county elected officials are members of
4131-534: The duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools". This issue has surfaced repeatedly in lawsuits involving the State's funding of education and the various restrictions it has placed on local school districts. This Article also discusses the creation and maintenance of the Permanent University Fund (Sections 11, 11a, and 11b) and mandates
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#17327985283634212-458: The electorate, 181 were defeated, and three never made it on the ballot. Most of the amendments are due to the document's highly restrictive nature: the constitution stipulates that the State of Texas has only those powers explicitly granted to it; there is no counterpart of the federal necessary and proper clause . As with many state constitutions, it explicitly provides for the separation of powers and incorporates its bill of rights directly into
4293-468: The end of the Civil War to the early twenty-first century, Travis County has experienced steady, rapid population growth (averaging more than a 36% increase every decade from 1870 to 2010), driven largely by the growth of Austin and its suburbs; it is now the fifth most populous county in Texas, after Harris (Houston), Dallas , Tarrant ( Fort Worth ) and Bexar ( San Antonio ) counties. According to
4374-535: The establishment of "a University of the first class" (Section 10) to be called The University of Texas , as well as "an Agricultural, and Mechanical department" (Section 13, today's Texas A&M University , which opened seven years prior); it also establishes Prairie View A&M University in Section 14. The University of Texas was originally created in the Constitution of 1858, and Texas A&M University
4455-405: The existing courthouse. After the defeat of the courthouse bond, the county began pursuing ownership of the 1936 United States Courthouse that had recently been left vacant by the completion of a new federal courthouse complex. At a press conference on December 29, 2016, officials from Travis County and the federal judiciary and local U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett announced that ownership of
4536-409: The life of the attained (but not after). Section 34 guarantees the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, subject to wildlife conservation laws. However, the section explicitly states that it does not affect "any provision of law relating to trespass, property rights or eminent domain". Section 32, added in 2005, denies state recognition of same-sex marriage , a practice which was invalidated by
4617-646: The new State of Texas when Texas was annexed by the United States later that year. In 1861 Travis County was one of the few Texas counties to vote against secession from the Union. Since the majority of the state did favor secession, Travis County then became a part of the Confederacy for the duration of the Civil War . After the Confederacy's defeat, Texas was fully readmitted to the Union in 1870. From
4698-510: The next biennium; no appropriation may exceed this amount (except in cases of emergency, and then only with a four-fifths vote of both chambers), and the Comptroller is required to reject and return to the Legislature any appropriation in violation of this requirement. Section 49-g (one of two such sections numbered as such, the other -- now repealed -- dealt with funding for the later-cancelled Superconducting Supercollider Project) created
4779-405: The old federal courthouse had been transferred to Travis County. The county then budgeted $ 28 million to bring the structure up to current building codes and adapt it to house the county probate courts by 2020. On July 10, 2018, Travis County entered a negotiation agreement with developers to design and build a new downtown court facility, and on January 15, 2019, the county approved funding for
4860-537: The past left the state so as to deny a quorum). A smaller number in each chamber is empowered to adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members. As with the United States Constitution , either house may originate bills (Section 31), but bills to raise revenue must originate in the House of Representatives (Section 33). Section 39 allows a bill to take effect immediately upon
4941-466: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. English is the sole language spoken at home by 71.42% of the population age 5 or over, while 22.35% speak Spanish , and a Chinese language (including Mandarin , Taiwanese , and Cantonese ) is spoken by 1.05%. As of the 2010 census, there were about 11.1 same-sex couples per 1,000 households in the county. According to the census of 2000, there were 812,280 people, of which 29.30% had children under
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#17327985283635022-482: The power of the Legislature to incur debt to only specific purposes as stated in the Constitution; in order to allow the Legislature to incur debt for a purpose not stated numerous amendments to this section have had to be added and voted upon by the people. In addition, Section 49a requires the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to certify the amount of available cash on hand and anticipated revenues for
5103-639: The power of the state. The provisions of the Texas Constitution apply only against the government of Texas. However, a number of the provisions of the U.S. Constitution are held to apply to the states as well, under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While the bill of rights contains many similar rights as the United States Bill of Rights , it is considerably lengthier and more detailed and includes some provisions unique to Texas. Section 12 recognizes
5184-410: The powers of the others. Article 3 vests the legislative power of the state in the " Legislature of the State of Texas ", consisting of the state's Senate and House of Representatives . It also lists the qualifications required of senators and representatives, and regulates many details of the legislative process. The article contains many substantive limitations on the power of the legislature and
5265-759: The presidential level, as all of the county-level officials are Democrats. In addition, the majority of the county is represented by Democrats in the US Congress , Texas Senate , and Texas House . State Senators serve four year terms with no term limits. State Representatives serve two year terms with no term limits. In addition to Travis, the 3rd Court of Appeals hears cases from 23 other counties across Central Texas: Bastrop , Bell , Blanco , Burnet , Caldwell , Coke , Comal , Concho , Fayette , Hays , Irion , Lampasas , Lee , Llano , McColluch , Milam , Mills , Runnels , San Saba , Schleicher , Sterling , Tom Green , and Williamson . All 24 counties in
5346-407: The project. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 31, 2019, with the new facility scheduled for completion in 2022. In 1946, an African-American law student named Heman Marion Sweatt was denied admission to the University of Texas School of Law on the grounds that the Constitution of Texas prohibited racially integrated education. Sweatt sued the University with the support of
5427-414: The state of Coahuila y Tejas ), 1836 (the Constitution of the Republic of Texas ), 1845 (upon admission to the United States), 1861 (at the beginning of the American Civil War ), 1866 (at the end of the American Civil War), and 1869. Texas constitutional conventions included 1861, 1866, 1868–69, and 1875. The constitution is the second-longest state constitution in the United States (exceeded only by
5508-425: The state's " Rainy Day Fund " (technically called the "Economic Stabilization Fund"). Article 4 describes the powers and duties of the Governor , Lieutenant Governor , Secretary of State , Comptroller , Commissioner of the General Land Office , and Attorney General . With the exception of the Secretary of State the above officials are directly elected in what is known as a "plural executive" system. (Although
5589-414: The subject of numerous school district financing lawsuits claiming that other Legislative restrictions on local property taxes have created a de facto statewide property tax; the Texas Supreme Court has at times ruled that the restrictions did in fact do so (and thus were unconstitutional) and at other times ruled that they did not. Texas has never had a personal income tax . In 2019, the constitution
5670-433: The text of the constitution (as Article I). The bill of rights is considerably lengthier and more detailed than the federal Bill of Rights , and includes some provisions not included in the federal Constitution. Article 1 is the Texas Constitution's bill of rights . The article originally contained 29 sections; five sections have since been added. Some of the article's provisions concern specific fundamental limitations on
5751-731: The western and southwestern parts of Travis County gives rise to numerous caverns and springs , some of which have provided shelter and water for humans in the region for thousands of years. Notable springs in the county include Barton Springs , Deep Eddy and Hamilton Pool . Travis County is crossed by Interstate Highway 35 , US Highways 183 and 290 , and Texas Highway 71 . IH-35 leads northward to Waco and Dallas–Fort Worth and southward to San Antonio . US-183 leads northward through Cedar Park to Lampasas and southward to Lockhart . US-290 leads westward to Fredericksburg and eastward to Houston . TX-71 leads westward to Marble Falls and eastward to Bastrop . Other major highways within
5832-427: The windows and pilasters running vertically between bays. The facade was originally symmetrical north and south, but large expansions to the north side (added during renovations in 1958 and 1962) now give the building a lopsided silhouette. The building's interior exhibits Art Moderne and Art Deco finishes and detailing. The structure was originally built to hold three courts and all county government offices, with
5913-549: The writ of Habeas Corpus as a right and prohibits its suspension under any circumstance whatsoever. This differs slightly from the U.S. Constitution, which allows its suspension "in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public security shall require it". Section 21 prohibits corruption of blood and forfeiture of estates (including in cases of suicide), extending beyond the federal limitation ( Article III , Section 3) which applies only in cases of Treason and even permits forfeiture during
5994-462: Was 23.80% under the age of 18, 14.70% from 18 to 24, 36.50% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 6.70% age 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.50 males. Like other Texas counties, Travis County is governed by a Commissioners' Court composed of the county judge and four county commissioners. The court levies county taxes and sets
6075-446: Was H.E. Wattinger. The original main entry (now closed for security reasons) is in the east facade, where a staircase leads from street level up to bronze doors within a projecting doorframe, with an elaborately carved lintel depicting a judge releasing shackled prisoners to a celebrating crowd. The windows in the building's central mass are joined into five recessed vertical window bays, with decorative cast-iron spandrels between
6156-403: Was amended to ban any future income tax, which has the effect of requiring a 2/3 majority of the legislature to vote to repeal the ban. Previously, the requirement to pass any future income tax was passage by a statewide referendum , which requires a simple majority vote of the legislature to add the question to a referendum. In May 2006 the Legislature replaced the existing franchise tax with
6237-625: Was claimed by the Spanish Empire in the 1600s, but at the time no attempt was made to settle the area (or even to explore it fully). In 1691 Domingo Terán de los Ríos made an inspection tour through East Texas that likely took him through Travis Country. The first European settlers in the area were a group of Spanish friars who arrived from East Texas in July 1730. They established three temporary missions , La Purísima Concepción , San Francisco de los Neches , and San José de los Nazonis , on
6318-459: Was created from the Morrill Act. In 1915 and 1919, Constitutional Amendments were proposed to separate the two university systems, although both failed. Article 8 places various restrictions on the ability of the Legislature and local governments to impose taxes. Most of these restrictions concern local property taxes . Section 1-e prohibits statewide property taxes. This Section has been
6399-694: Was formerly in operation for black students pre-desegregation. The largest university in Travis County is the University of Texas at Austin . Other universities include St. Edward's University , Huston–Tillotson University , and Concordia University Texas . Under Texas law Austin Community College District (ACC) is the designated community college for most of the county. However, areas in Marble Falls ISD are zoned to Central Texas College District . Central Health ,
6480-416: Was replaced by the current courthouse, after which it was used as office space for Texas state agencies and then finally demolished in 1964. In 1930 the county selected a site on the north side of Wooldridge Park for the building of a third and larger county courthouse. Construction began with the laying of the cornerstone in 1930; on June 27, 1931, the courthouse was completed and had its grand opening, and
6561-471: Was the only county in Texas to vote against the Proposition 2 state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, with slightly under 60% of voters being against it. In 2020, Travis County backed Democrat Joe Biden with nearly 72% of the vote, his strongest showing in the state and the best showing for any presidential candidate in the county since 1948. The county's Democratic bent is not limited to
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