FY 2027 Preliminary Budget

Thanked the court for creating the community advisory committee for northeast Travis County and requested meaningful representation for the historic freedom colony of Lydia.

Urged the court to fund the Family Unity pilot program within the public defender's office to provide legal defense for immigrants.

Requested funding for the family unity pilot, emphasizing the economic and humanitarian benefits of legal representation for detained individuals.

Spoke as a street psychiatrist in support of funding the family unity pilot to keep families intact and reduce systemic harm.

Shared personal experiences of high legal costs and scams by attorneys while in immigration detention, urging support for the family unity pilot.

Read testimony from a taxpayer supporting full funding for the family unity pilot and expressing concern over detention costs.

Read testimony from Reina Rivera advocating for public defender funding and the family unity pilot.

Volunteered with Austin Sanctuary Network and urged commissioners to fully fund the family unity project to provide legal defense.

Shared stories from visiting Pearsall detention center and advocated for limiting human entry into detention through legal support.

Presented federal habeas dockets and urged funding for the family unity pilot program.

Spoke as an immigrant mother asking the county to invest in mental health, housing, and the family unity pilot.

Shared the personal pain of family separation following her husband's deportation and urged support for the family unity pilot.

Advocated for fully funding the public defender's office, competitive salaries, and the family unity project.

Asked commissioners to fully fund the public defender's office and support the family unity pilot to prevent family tear-aparts.

Read testimony from public defender Sarah May supporting the family unity project for non-citizen clients facing criminal and immigration jeopardy.

Supervising attorney at the public defender's office testified in support of the family unity pilot and raising investigator pay from C-11 to C-14.

Investigation supervisor at the public defender's office urged moving investigator pay from C-11 to C-14 to combat high turnover.

Shared personal arrest experience with ICE and troopers, urging funding for the public defender's office and family unity pilot.

Read translated testimony supporting the family unity pilot program.

Juvenile public defender attorney urged funding the family unity pilot and equal pay for public defender investigators.

Criminal justice organizer urged fully funding the public defender's office and family project.

Expressed support for continued investment in the hospital-based violence intervention program at Dell Seton and Dell Children's.

Spoke on behalf of Grassroots Leadership and CFBA supporting fair staffing investments and access to counsel.