New Council begins tenure with challenges

Addressing a standing-room-only crowd at City Hall Friday night, newly installed Mayor Kirk Watson pledged to pursue unity, in contrast to the national picture depicted by the Trump insurrection of Jan. 6.

Even as Watson was speaking, members of the U.S. House of Representatives were trying, and failing, to decide on the most basic of questions: electing a leader. Hours after Austin’s new City Council adjourned, the new House speaker was selected. But Watson, returning to a position he held nearly 20 years ago, expressed optimism about Austin’s future as well as his colleagues’ ability to “find common ground and ultimately to pursue a shared vision of our future together.”

Despite the evidence of Austin’s continuing success, many Austinites are facing an emergency, Watson said. “For Austinites who can’t find an affordable place to live or who are at risk of being forced out of their home, it’s an emergency. For Austinites experiencing homelessness, who urgently need our help to rebuild their lives, it’s an emergency. For Austinites who don’t feel safe in their homes or neighborhoods, or who don’t have the trust they deserve to have in police or first responders, it’s an emergency.”

Watson’s list of people for whom life in Austin is an emergency was lengthy and he called on his colleagues to work together with a “new sense of urgency” to solve those problems.

While he admitted that Council cannot solve every problem, he said he was convinced that they could make Austin a better place if they act deliberately and decisively together.

In addition to Watson, City Council’s newly installed members include José Velásquez in District 3, Ryan Alter in District 5 and Zo Qadri in District 9. Each thanked their family members and supporters, who loudly applauded from the audience.

In a well-orchestrated move, Council Member Alison Alter nominated District 8 Council Member Paige Ellis to be mayor pro tem for one year and District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool to serve as mayor pro tem the following year, starting in January 2024. There was no dissent on the dais.

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