The Austin city clerk has reversed her decision to challenge Lewis Conway Jr.’s candidacy for Austin City Council. Conway, a candidate for District 1, has a felony record, and City Clerk Jannette Goodall requested clarification on his eligibility to run for public office late last week. Conway has maintained that he is legally allowed to […]
Elections
Posted inElections
Austin city clerk challenges convicted felon’s eligibility to run for City Council
Lewis Conway Jr., a candidate for Austin City Council who has a felony record, may not be able to run after all. Austin City Clerk Jannette Goodall sent Conway an email Friday challenging his eligibility and asking for documents showing that he had been pardoned or “otherwise released from the disabilities” resulting from his conviction. […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council faces legal action over wording of two ballot initiatives
Supporters of two ballot initiatives are threatening legal action against the city of Austin over ballot language that they claim City Council crafted to mislead voters. Just after midnight on Friday, Council approved language for 11 separate propositions that voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject in November. One of those is a […]
Posted inElections
Battle over housing policy defines District 3 race
Growth, gentrification and CodeNEXT are at the center of the race for City Council District 3. Most of the district is made up of neighborhoods on both sides of the Colorado River that are east of Interstate 35. However, the district boundaries also snake out to grab a large chunk of South Central Austin, including […]
Posted inElections
Fourth candidate enters race for District 8
Frank Ward, 36, threw his hat in the ring for the District 8 City Council seat on Monday with the endorsement of the current occupant of that seat, Council Member Ellen Troxclair. Troxclair, the only Republican on the dais, recently announced that she would not run for a second term. Ward joins three other candidates, […]
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Mayor’s race outraises all others
Mayor Steve Adler and his chief opponent, former Council Member Laura Morrison, by far outraised the candidates in all the other races, as shown by the campaign finance reports filed on Monday. Of course, the mayor’s race is traditionally the most expensive, and this year will be no exception. Adler, who started his re-election effort […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Arts, music supporters eye bond money to assist existing creative spaces
Leaders in Austin’s arts community appear to be in favor of using $12 million in proposed bond money to help existing creative businesses in purchasing their current spaces before they can be priced out or forced to move because of redevelopment. That was the focus of discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Austin Music Commission, […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council moves forward one of the largest bonds in Austin history
City Council took a crucial first step late Thursday toward presenting voters with one of the largest bond package in the city’s history. Just before 11 p.m., Council endorsed a $925 million general obligation bond that will include major pots of money for housing, transportation, parks, stormwater infrastructure and cultural facilities. The vote only instructed […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council gears up for bond debate
On Thursday, City Council members will try to put together a bond package that a majority on the dais agree to and that they believe a majority of Austin voters will support at the polls in November. Whatever package Council approves on Thursday will lay out the biggest features of the bond, notably the dollar […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Five Council members signal support for major housing bond
Mayor Steve Adler and four other members of City Council announced their support Thursday for putting a major housing bond on the ballot in November. Standing in front of scores of activists on the front steps of City Hall Thursday morning, Adler said that funds from previous housing bonds approved by voters in 2013 and […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council to hash out staff recommendations for proposed 2018 bond package
City Council is set to vote tomorrow on adopting the city manager’s recommendation for a 2018 bond package. Voters would decide on whether to approve the $816 million referendum this November. The proposal includes funding for transportation infrastructure, stormwater and open space, public safety, parks, libraries and cultural centers, health and human services, and affordable […]
Posted inElections
Updated: Sheryl Cole wins House District 46 runoff
UPDATE: 10:30 p.m. In the race to represent House District 46 at the Texas Legislature, former Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole emerged as winner – but with a very thin margin – over José “Chito” Vela. Unofficial results showed Cole won 4,967 votes, or 50.89 percent. Vela won 4,794 votes, or 49.11 percent. The […]