Austin voters may get the chance to decide whether to expand police oversight in the November election. Equity Action, a local political action committee dedicated to public safety reform, submitted 33,000 petition signatures to the city clerk on Monday in support of the Austin Police Oversight Act. Way to go, Austin! Despite the hottest Texas summer […]
November 2022 elections
Posted inHousing
Mayoral candidates outline plans to make housing more affordable
Since the pandemic began, most Austinites have felt the effects of increased rent, higher property taxes, or home prices growing increasingly out of reach. With rising costs forcing people out of their neighborhoods (or out of the city entirely), candidates hoping to become Austin’s next mayor in November agree that something has to be done […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Austin ISD wants teacher housing in the 2022 bond, but some educators are skeptical of the plan
Lee esta historia en español The Austin Independent School District is gathering feedback on a proposal to include funding for teacher housing in the potential 2022 bond package. While bond dollars cannot be used for salaries, the money can be used for construction and renovation projects. The Austin ISD Board of Trustees is considering two […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
City Council votes to put $350 million affordable housing bond on November ballot
As Austinites see a sharp rise in the cost of living, voters will have a chance to approve a $350 million bond for affordable housing this November. City Council members approved a measure Thursday to put the proposition – the largest in Austin’s history – on the ballot. If the measure passes, the bond money will go […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Advocates, Council members rally behind affordable housing bond
Support for a potential $300 million affordable housing bond is growing. On Thursday, housing advocates and politicians launched a campaign to support the bond, which they say is needed to address Austin’s housing crisis. “If we’re going to protect what is special and magical about this city, we have to protect and preserve the people […]
Posted inElections
Watson had help from bundlers, but not that much
In his campaign to become Austin’s next mayor, Kirk Watson has already gained the title of the city’s most prodigious fundraiser for a political race. He raised more than $997,000 in time for the July 15 report. Although he had some help from a dozen “bundlers,” people who collect funds on behalf of a candidate, […]
Posted inElections
Phil Brual, the UT Austin student running for mayor
On Nov. 8, Austin will elect a new mayor, and already a number of high-profile candidates have entered the race. And among those candidates is Phil Brual, a 21-year-old University of Texas student born and raised in Austin. In many ways, Brual’s campaign mirrors that of his competitors – focusing on issues like affordability, public […]
Posted inElections
First financial reports offer a glimpse into City Council campaigns
It’s that time of year again. Candidates for city elections late last week shared how much money they’ve raised so far in accordance with the city’s campaign finance reporting deadline on July 15. Here, we’ll break down the results from every race. While a strong financial report doesn’t mean a candidate is bound to win […]
Posted inElections
Two candidates sign on for City Council races
District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison is hosting her reelection kickoff party at Mr. Catfish, 1144 Airport Blvd., at 5:30 p.m. tonight. Harper-Madison was first elected to the northeast Austin seat in 2018. So far, her only announced opponent is Clinton Rarey, a political unknown. His wife, Christina, is listed as his campaign treasurer. Christina Rarey, […]
Posted inCity Council
Council candidates start getting ready for November
Although campaign season has not really begun, candidates have filed paperwork to run for every City Council seat officially up for election in November, as well as those not scheduled to be on the ballot. Mayor Steve Adler will have served for eight years when his term expires at the end of December and he […]
Posted inCourts
Trial set for redistricting case that could upend city elections
Plaintiffs who say that they have been disenfranchised by the city’s redistricting process will be watching carefully on May 17, when the suit filed against Austin Mayor Steve Adler and his 10 City Council colleagues is set for trial. Also watching carefully will be prospective Council candidates in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10, […]
Posted inElections
Former Texas state Sen. Kirk Watson running for Austin mayor
Former state Sen. Kirk Watson, who served as Austin mayor from 1997 to 2001, announced Tuesday he is launching a bid for his old job. “It’s official, I’m running to be the next Austin mayor!” Watson posted on Twitter. “Austin is special, but we’re facing a lot of challenges ahead. By working together, we can […]