District 2 Council Member Delia Garza wants to make sure that when Austin voters go to the polls to vote on the city’s $925 million bond package on Nov. 6, they understand how important it is to support Proposition E, which would provide funding for a new neighborhood and health care facility in Dove Springs. […]
Political Action Committees
An organization that raises money privately to influence elections and/or legislation.
Posted inLocal Politics
Political action committees quietly file reports
Although much-maligned in certain circles, political action committees help spread the word in local elections for candidates, bonds and other propositions. Among the PACs filing with the Office of the City Clerk this month was the Our City Our Safety Our Choice PAC, which supported the successful election to pass stringent rules for governing transportation […]
Posted inElections
Dark money law keeps PACs busy
Move Austin Forward, the political action committee supporting the city’s $720 million bond proposition on the Nov. 8 ballot, has raised about $680,000, according to Jim Wick, manager of the pro-bond campaign. He said the campaign has spent about half of the money it has raised so far. Mike Levy, who opposes Proposition 1, has […]
Posted inElections
PAC it up, PAC it in: PACs in local elections
To understand political action committees, it’s useful to think of them in terms of families. For example, if a candidate for City Council or mayor were the older sibling, a PAC would be the baby – that is, it would generally have fewer rules imposed upon it. This is the third installment in our series […]
Posted inElections
Austin leaders speak out against Prop 1
With an election less than a month away, the perpetual discussion surrounding proposed regulations for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft continues. On Tuesday, a group of prominent Austinites gathered on the steps of City Hall and came out swinging against the petition-driven Proposition 1 that they say would set a dangerous precedent. The Our […]
Posted inAustin
Updated: Ethics complaints filed against petition PAC
While the city clerk still has not received a promised petition seeking the recall of Council Member Ann Kitchen, the Texas Ethics Commission has received four complaints filed against the group behind the alleged effort. Austin attorney Fred Lewis filed the four complaints on Friday morning. They name Austin4All PAC, Rachel Kania, Tori Moreland, and […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Despite PAC reports, some campaign facts unclear
The political action committee that funded an attack ad against consultant David Butts has filed a campaign finance report showing contributions from former Texas Monthly publisher Mike Levy and Bryan Hardeman, owner of Continental Automotive Group. Levy and Hardeman contributed $4,800 and $5,000 respectively to the Coalition of Austin Neighborhoods, according to a report the […]