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Bonds & Propositions
EMS union joins firefighters in opposing Prop A
The political action committee for the Austin EMS employees union has voted to join the Austin Firefighters Association PAC and AFSCME Local 1624, the civilian employees union, in opposing Proposition A on the November ballot. Save Austin Now, the PAC…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Oct 15, 2021
Prop B: City to vote on East Austin parkland swap
Austin voters will have a chance in the Nov. 2 election to authorize the city to trade nine acres of city-owned parkland for at least 48 acres of waterfront property that will complete the existing John Treviño Park. The nine-acre…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Oct 5, 2021
Firefighters considering whether to oppose Prop A
Austin firefighters are considering whether to oppose Proposition A, a proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot that would require the city of Austin to spend between $54 million and $119 million more on police officers each year, according to Austin’s…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Sep 29, 2021
'No Way on Prop A' campaign opposes police staffing initiative
A political action committee focused on defeating a November ballot proposal that would significantly increase the size of the Austin Police Department held its first formal campaign event Thursday. More than 80 community groups and more than three dozen local…
Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 10, 2021
How many cops do we want and at what cost?
Reporters and promoters of Proposition A have been using two officers per 1,000 Austin residents to describe the police staffing required if the proposition wins voter approval on Nov. 2. But that number may be insufficient, according to calculations done…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Sep 9, 2021
Council OKs new ballot language for Prop A
As directed by the Texas Supreme Court, City Council on Thursday approved new language for Proposition A, the ordinance that would increase Austin’s police force to two officers per every 1,000 residents. Although the political action committee Save Austin Now…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Sep 3, 2021
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City Council denounces Prop A, approves ballot language revealing its cost
An upcoming proposition that would mandate police staffing could cost the city almost $600 million over the next five years. City Council is trying to drive that reality home with newly adopted ballot language. If approved by voters on Nov.…
Bonds & Propositions • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 12, 2021
Petition-backed measure to mandate police staffing will go to Austin voters
A ballot measure that would set a mandatory minimum for police staffing in Austin is on its way to voters. The city clerk on Tuesday certified petition signatures from the group Save Austin Now, paving the way for a November…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Aug 4, 2021
Group launches effort to put decriminalizing pot, ban on no-knock warrants on Austin's November ballot
Austin effectively decriminalized marijuana last year. The city also effectively banned no-knock warrants, the controversial police tactic that led to the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson. But those policies are more or less guidelines; they’re not formally enshrined in the city’s charter.…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 1, 2021
Austin won't make arrests during first phase of reinstating rules related to homelessness
After voters passed Proposition B on May 1, Austin is reinstating rules that ban homeless encampments on public land, prohibit sitting or lying down in parts of the city, and place a nighttime curfew on panhandling. While those rules go…
Bonds & Propositions • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 11, 2021
Strong-mayor proposition fails spectacularly
In the May 1 election, voters strongly rejected Proposition F, which proposed a radical change to Austin city governance from the Council-manager form of government to a strong mayor with veto powers over actions taken by City Council. Eighty-six percent…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • May 3, 2021
Austin voters approve reinstating bans on camping, resting and panhandling
Lee esta historia en español. Austin has voted to reinstate criminal penalties for behavior related to homelessness. With its passage, Proposition B will restore the city’s previous ban on public encampments, prohibition of resting in certain areas and limitations on…