Did Somebody Say “Strong Mayor?” – If So, It Was Not the Strong Mayor Campaign
For today’s installment in coverage of the strong mayor proposal I want to return to the approach described in an article on the subject back in July. There, I laid out some principles to guide the Independent's coverage, writing that “changing the form of government...
Strong Mayor Initiative Nears a Vote – Draws Improbable Coalitions of Opponents and Supporters
The homeless camping issue is so controversial, visible and seemingly intractable that the proposed rollback of the Austin City Council’s June 2019 repeal of the City’s camping ban long ago became the marquee item on the upcoming May 1 City Charter amendment ballot....
Council Takes Step Toward New Police Cadet Class — Final Decision Remains
On March 25 the Austin City Council moved a step closer to authorizing a new police cadet class beginning June 7 — after over a year without a cadet class. The vote was eight to one with two Council Members abstaining. Council Member Greg Casar voted no while Mayor...
Will Others in Texas Follow Austin’s Lead on COVID? Just Kidding
Travis County’s COVID-19 fatality rate is less than half that of Texas. Commissioner Shea wonders if others in Texas will try to learn from Austin
Council to Vote on Resuming Police Cadet Classes – Amid Ongoing Changes in Police Academy Practices
Among other items, today’s Austin City Council agenda features a choice on whether the Council will approve a police cadet class beginning in June. Last summer the Council zeroed out the budget for new cadet classes at the Austin Police Academy, the training...
Can The City Manager Solve Homelessness?
A series of interlocking issues will dominate local governance and politics this Spring. At least two of those are petition induced referendums on the May 1 municipal ballot: homelessness, in the form of whether to overturn the City Council’s June 2019 repeal of the...
True Stories
Will Others in Texas Follow Austin’s Lead on COVID? Just Kidding
Travis County’s COVID-19 fatality rate is less than half that of Texas. Commissioner Shea wonders if others in Texas will try to learn from Austin
Explanations from ERCOT and Austin Energy Plus a Possible New Approach for Ted Cruz
Let’s hit a few points not covered in the accompanying article. First, a lot of questions were raised yesterday about why downtown Austin was still lit up while adjacent East Austin was almost totally dark — as were many other parts of town. Austin Energy responded...
What National Democrats Can Learn From Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick – Gov Abbott Continues Attacks on Austin – Hank Aaron, American Hero
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick shows US Senate Democrats the way. US COVID deaths pass World War II total. Remembeing Hank Aaron.
District 2 – Austin City Council Candidate Questionnaire
Austin City Council District 2 candidates answer questions from the Austin Independent
District 4 – Austin City Council Candidate Questionnaire
Louis Herrin III, Austin City Council Candidate District 4 answers questions from the Austin Independent.
District 6 – Austin City Council Candidate Questionnaire
Austin CIty Council Candidates District 6 candidates answer questins from the Austin Independent
District 7 – Austin City Council Candidate Questionnaire
Austin City Council District 7 candidates answer questions from the Austin Independent.
District 10 – Austin City Council Candidate Questionnaire
Austin City Council District 10 candidates answer questions from the Austin Independent.