Austin looks to make aging in the city easier

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Quote of the Day

“I can’t imagine that older adults are able to find the city programs and services pages at all. It is hard for me to navigate, and I know what I am looking for.”

— Response from a city survey from “Age-friendly services require more funding, Austin Public Health says.”

Age-friendly services require more funding, Austin Public Health says

From Lina Fisher:

Austin has fallen behind cities of a similar size when it comes to caring for its elders. It’s no longer in AARP’s top 10 cities to live in for older adults as of 2022. In fact, last year, it didn’t even make the top 25. That might not be top of mind, as the median age in Austin, TX is 34.5, and only about 10 percent of Austinites are over 65. But Austin’s status as Texas’ boomtown is slowing, and adults between the ages of 65 and 74 represented the fastest-growing age group between 2010 and 2020. By the time the tech bros reach middle age, it will be in their best interest to have quality senior services in place.

In June, City Council directed the city manager to look into improving those services. According to a October 14 memo from Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup to Council on its progress, that will require more funding.

“While significant progress has been made, the effective and ongoing implementation of these initiatives is dependent on identifying and securing additional resources and budget across various departments,” wrote Sturrup.

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Urban Transportation Commission makes recommendation on CapMetro’s 2035 plan

The Urban Transportation Commission weighed in on Capitol Metro’s 2035 Transit Plan with a recommendation during their Oct. 7 meeting that offers a granular bundle of proposals and advice aimed at clearing the way for Project Connect.

The recommendation, which passed unanimously, was introduced by Vice Chair Spencer Schumacher. Several items in the final draft dealt directly with Project Connect’s light rail portion, which under current plans for its “first phase” will consist of a three-pronged system running between Crestview north of the river and Montopolis to the south, with a spur going down South Congress to Oltorf.

Among those, Commissioners recommended that the agency consider reorienting the current 20 bus route to connect the prospective system’s Pleasant Valley or Yellowjacket stations to the airport, contingent on the system being built up to current plans. Schumacher noted that the addition of light rail down Riverside would make the bus route “duplicative” and argued that connecting the rail system to the airport would be a better use of the route.

“People are expecting that they’re going to be able to take the light rail to the airport,” Schumacher said. “That’s a significant driver of ridership, and it would be a much more significant driver of ridership than a slower and infrequent local route.”

All of that is contingent on the light rail system, which has been imperiled by inflation-driven cost overruns, several so-far unsuccessful lawsuits and a hostile federal grant environment but is so far still scheduled to begin construction in 2027.

— Miles Wall

Early voting starts next week

Early voting for the Nov. 4 election in Travis County starts on Monday, Oct. 20 and runs through Friday, Oct. 31. During most days, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours until 10 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31, with Sunday hours from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 26. Under the Travis County’s Vote Center model, any registered voter may cast a ballot at any polling location displaying a “Vote Here/Aquí” sign.

On the ballot, all Travis County voters will see 17 proposed constitutional amendments ranging from property tax relief to judicial reforms. In addition, Austin voters will decide a City tax-rate election (Proposition Q) among local measures on the ballot. lwvaustin.org Voters can review sample ballots at Vote411.org and check the League of Women Voters’ voter guide.

— Chad Swiatecki

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ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

With early voting starting next week, it’s time to make your decision whether to vote in favor of Prop Q and higher city taxes or against it. Accordingly, the endorsements are out. The Austin American-Statesman has recommended against the proposition, saying the things it would fund are worthy, but City Hall is lacking in accountability, trustworthiness and transparency these days. On the other hand, the Austin Chronicle has endorsed the proposition with a focus on those things that it would fund.

The Chronicle also has a piece about the bickering between the pro- and anti- Prop Q camps.

And KUT has a handy explainer on the proposition and what it will do.

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