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 Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo. Opponents note that the likely result of such new […]
Elections
Posted inElections
Celia Israel opts to exit state seat, explore mayoral run
State Rep. Celia Israel has moved closer to entering the city’s 2022 mayor’s race, forming an exploratory committee for that campaign and opting not to run for reelection for the seat she has held since 2015. Israel announced her move Wednesday, making her the most high-profile name circling the office that Mayor Steve Adler will […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
‘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 elected officials have joined the No Way on Prop A coalition, which was formed in […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
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 by Austin Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo. Van Eenoo looked at four key provisions […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
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 claimed victory in the court ruling, the city also emerged victorious because the state’s highest […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
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. 2, Proposition A, which is the result of a petition drive by Save Austin Now, […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
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 referendum. If passed, the ballot measure would require the city to employ two officers per […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Ethics commission dismisses claim of improper fundraising
The Ethics Review Commission has dismissed a complaint alleging that Otto Swingler, a self-described “concerned citizen” who made a GoFundMe page in support of Proposition B, violated campaign finance law. The commission ruled Wednesday that Swingler, who had intended to use money to buy billboard space for pro-Prop B ads, did not make direct campaign […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Judge denies Virden’s request for injunction
Federal District Judge Robert Pitman has denied political candidate Jennifer Virden’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent the city from enforcing its campaign finance law. Virden immediately filed an appeal. Virden, who lost in a runoff last December to City Council Member Alison Alter for the District 10 seat, had asked the court to […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
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. A group of city leaders, criminal justice advocates and political operatives wants to change that, […]
Posted inElections
Parties seek election judges, workers for March
Even though March 2022 seems far away, Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for the March 1 primary elections. Part of that is appointing election judges and other polling place workers. Travis County Democratic Party Chair Katie Naranjo has been emailing Democrats to see if they want to sign up now. The Travis County Republican […]
Posted inElections
Gómez, Woody prepare for rematch at ballot box
Margaret Gómez, who has served as Travis County Commissioner for Precinct 4 since 1995 and who was the first Mexican American woman in a county commissioner position, declared Monday that she is not done yet. Susanna Woody announced last week that she would be running for the job also. The two will face each other, […]