A GOP-backed group says it’s collected enough signatures to put a reversal of the city’s homeless ordinances on the ballot in November. Save Austin Now, a coalition led by longtime strategist and Travis County GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak, announced Monday it has turned in 24,087 signatures for its petition to reinstate bans on camping, panhandling […]
November 2020 elections
Posted inCity Charter
Push for 2021 charter amendments could make Austin a ‘strong mayor’ city
A new group of community activists and political insiders intends to push for amendments to the city charter that could bring about a change to a “strong mayor” form of government, along with other changes focused on increasing voter turnout and impact on city operations. Austinites for Progressive Reform, which has formed as a specific-purpose […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
PAC readies to oppose rail bond
The political action committee Our Mobility Our Future, whose backers plan to oppose a proposition on the November ballot to fund the Project Connect transit system, reported this week that they had collected more than $98,000 during the reporting period that started in January. The PAC also reports $75,000 in pledged contributions. City Council has […]
Posted inElections
City Council candidates file campaign finance reports
Though the results of Tuesday’s election are still being tallied, Wednesday marked the day that campaign finance reports for City Council elections were due. In addition to casting their votes for president of the United States this year, Austin residents will decide the new Council representatives in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10. Though […]
Posted inTransit
Advocates host discussion on what makes good transit
November’s transportation bond hasn’t taken shape yet, but is likely to feature the largest public transit investment residents have ever been asked to consider. In light of that, transit advocates and grassroots organizations hosted a talk Wednesday with Christof Spieler, engineer and author of the book Trains, Buses, People, in order to discuss what makes […]
Posted inElections
City pays MPT Garza’s bar dues
The city of Austin paid Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza’s bar dues in 2018 and 2019, according to information the city provided to attorney and activist Bill Aleshire through a public information request. Garza, who announced that she would not run for reelection and is seeking the Democratic nomination for Travis County attorney, deactivated her […]
Posted inElections
City Council candidates tally their six-week fundraising totals
This November, candidates will compete for City Council seats in Districts 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10. Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza has already announced that she will not be seeking reelection in District 2; instead she is running for Travis County attorney in an already heated race. As for the City Council races, they […]