All My Leftists Live In Texas

early voting: monday 10/24-friday 11/4 | election day: tuesday 11/8 | votetravis.com

this voter guide recommends progressive candidates for the austin city races, as well as descriptions of state and county offices, and other useful voter information.

Governor: Beto O’Rourke

Mayor: Celia Isreal

City Council D1: Natasha Harper-Madison

City Council D3: Daniela Silva

City Council D5: Ryan Alter

City Council D8: Paige Ellis

City Council D9: Zo Qadri

Prop A: Yes

AISD Trustee D1: Candace Hunter

AISD Trustee D4: Kathryn Whitely Chu

AISD Trustee D6: Andrew Gonzales

AISD Trustee D9: Arati Singh

AISD Prop A: Yes

AISD Prop B: Yes

AISD Prop C: Yes

federal and state offices have been omitted from this less. we recommend voting against republicans in these races. 

early voting: monday 10/24-friday 11/4 | election day: tuesday 11/8 | votetravis.com

why this matters

Everyone elected to office has the opportunity to create and edit policies that directly affect you. Especially in city races, officials make decisions that impact the public’s day to day life.

The results of this election will impact issues from abortion and gun rights in Texas, education of Texas children, and access to health care to Austin affordable housing, i35 expansion, and so much more.

Voting is one small and simple step you can take to ensure the people making these decisions are the ones most congruent with your values.

federal offices

In this election, Austinites will be voting on US congressional candidates. These positions will represent Austin in the US House of Representatives. You may only vote for the congressional candidate running to represent the district you live in.

Travis County is divided into five congressional districts: D10, D17, D21, D35, and D37. We can talk more about the gerrymandering of these districts later, but for now, visit votetravis.com to find which district you're in & research the people running to represent you.

state offices

While federal offices can dictate what's happening in the country as a whole, state offices operate only within the state, which is why different states have vastly different policies. Some of the offices on the ballot are lesser known than others, so the following will give very brief overviews into what these officials do for the state government and Texans as a whole.

Governor - chief executive officer of the state. implements state laws, oversees operation of state executive branch.

Lieutenant Governor - second highest executive office. president of state senate. establishes committees and appoints chairpersons. assigns senate legislation to committees. broad discretion in following senate rules.

Attorney General - chief legal officer. represents state in civil litigation. legal counsel to state boards and agencies.

Comptroller of Public Accounts - chief financial officer. collects all state tax revenue. manages the books.

Commissioner of the General Land Office - manages publicly owned land. negotiates leases for use of the land. sometimes sells land.

Commissioner of Agriculture - oversees agricultural and rural affairs. provides financial assistance to farmers & ranchers. regulates hemp production.

Railroad Commissioner - regulates the oil and gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas utilities, and more. not about railroads.

Supreme Court Justice - court of last resort for civil matters in Texas. there's eight justices and one chief justice. we're voting on three justices this year.

Court of Criminal Appeals Judge - court of last resort for criminal matters in Texas. basically if a person is charged with a crime it's criminal & if a citizen has any other dispute it's civil. also eight justices & one chief.

State Board of Education Member - sets policies & standards for public schools. curriculum, student safety, textbooks, etc.

State Senator - upper chamber. makes laws & approves budgets with the texas house of representatives. one senator per texas senate district. 31 senators total. all senate seats are up for election this year.

State Representative - lower chamber. member of the texas house of representatives. makes laws & approves budgets with the texas senate. one rep per district. 150 reps total. all seats are up for election this year.

Court of Appeals Justice - cases that are appealed by city & district courts go to one of these courts. there's 14 courts of appeals in texas. each court is presided over by at least 3 justices. the 3rd court of appeals is the austin one & has 6 justices.

county offices

Just like the federal government oversees country-wide matters and the state government oversees statewide matters, the county oversees county matters. Here's a breakdown of the county offices we're voting on:

County Judge - district judges typically handle criminal cases and felonies while the county judge handles everything else. there's lots of exceptions to this. county judge also oversees commissioners court & represents county in many administrative roles.

County Clerk - manages records for county courts & county commissioners court

Justice of the Peace - smaller or minor court cases. five precincts in travis, one justice per precinct.

note: there are quite a few candidates at the county level who are running unopposed. these candidates have been omitted from this list.

city offices

City officials have the most direct impact on voters. City officials oversee a variety of policies which make cities run effectively and to the advantage of the public.Austin is divided into 10 city council districts, each with their own representative that votes on various public policies. You can find your district and see if you’re voting for a new representative at votetravis.com.Austin is also divided into seven AISD trustee districts, each with their own representative. There are two “at-large” representatives who represent the whole of the AISD board, for a total of nine AISD trustees.

City Council Representative - represents constituents by creating and enacting city-wide policies and overseeing city budget

AISD Trustee- oversees policies and budget within AISD

go vote

It can be disheartening being a Texan voter. Sure, some of these races will almost certainly be won by Republicans, but a lot of these races are not so clean cut, and the potential for change is massive.

It's important that we show up and get everyone we know to show up so we can continue to fight & organize for a better Texas government that truly represents it's people.

Go vote!

“If it's a bunch of clowns you voted in

Election Day is comin' 'round again

If you don't like it now

If it's more than you'll allow

If you don't like who's in there, vote 'em out”

-Willie Nelson (Vote ‘Em Out)

SOURCES AND READING!!

view your personal ballot, check voter registration, and find a polling location:

https://votetravis.com/vexpress/display.do

full travis county ballot:

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/wp-content/uploads/elections/G22BedsheetBallot.pdf

district 1:

https://misaelramos.com/the-issues/

https://www.clintonrarey.com/items

https://www.meloniehousedixon.com/why-i-am-running

https://www.natashaforaustin.com/issues

candidate questionnaires:

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/meet-the-candidates-for-austin-city-council-district-1/

https://www.kut.org/politics/2022-10-17/austin-city-council-district-1-election-2022

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2022/09/candidates-for-district-1-city-council-seat-chat-with-the-monitor/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/10/11/austin-city-council-district-1-race-where-candidates-stand-on-the-issues/69544370007/

district 3:

https://velasquezforatx.com/issues

https://danielaforaustin.com/issues/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5YRhFVwhlY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a0YhZxOqs8

candidate questionnaires:

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/meet-the-candidates-for-austin-city-council-district-3/

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2022/10/19/election-qa-austin-city-council-district-3-candidates/

https://www.kut.org/politics/2022-10-18/watch-live-our-virtual-forum-with-the-candidates-for-the-district-3-seat-on-the-austin-city-council

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/10/10/austin-city-council-district-3-election-candidates-where-stand-on-the-issues/69544896007/

district 5:

https://www.ryanforatx.com

https://billwelch.org

https://kencraigforcouncil.com

https://stephaniebazan.com

https://www.aaronwebman.com

candidate questionnaires:

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2022/10/20/election-qa-austin-city-council-district-5-candidates/

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/elevator-pitch-meet-the-candidates-for-austin-city-council-district-5/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/10/17/austin-city-council-district-5-race-where-candidates-stand-on-issues-election-2022/69560430007/

district 8:

https://www.paigeforaustin.org

https://richardsmithatx.com

https://communityimpact.com/austin/southwest-austin-dripping-springs/election/2022/10/20/election-qa-austin-city-council-district-8-candidates/

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/meet-the-4-candidates-running-for-austin-city-council-district-8/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/10/20/austin-city-council-district-8-where-candidates-stand-on-issues/69571155007/

district 9:

https://www.zenamitchell.com

https://www.zoforaustin.com

https://www.gregford9.com

https://joahforaustin.com

https://kym4atx.com

https://www.benleffler.com

https://www.lindaguerrero.net

https://www.tomwald.com

candidate questionnaires:

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2022/10/21/election-qa-austin-city-council-district-9-candidates/

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/kxan-to-moderate-austin-city-council-district-9-forum-thursday/

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2022/08/district-9-city-council-candidates-chat-with-the-monitor-part-i/

general endorsements:

chronicle:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-10-21/chronicle-endorsements-for-2022-travis-county-elections/

https://cm.statesman.com/offers-reg/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statesman.com%2Fstory%2Fopinion%2Fendorsements%2F2022%2F10%2F23%2Fstatesman-editorial-board-endorsements-austin-texas-election-2022%2F69577924007%2F

https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-texas-votes/elections

https://www.texasaft.org/campaigns/election-2022/2022-endorsements/

general information:

whats happening

Today, June 24th 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned. This means that in Texas, abortion will be illegal in 30 days.

Those performing abortions could face up to life in prison and fines up to $100,000 for violating the law. Those receiving abortions would not be prosecuted.

Texas is one of 13 states with a “trigger ban”, which ban abortion within 30 days of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

how to access abortion in texas

online: plancpills.org 

aidaccess.org

under 18: janesdueprocess.org

funding your abortion: abortionfunds.org

bucklebunnies.org

good resource: needaboriton.org

To receive in-person abortion care, you will likely have to travel out of state. Consult an abortion fund to help with travel costs or DM me here. Just be wary of keeping all communications private to protect yourself.

abortion care:

medical help: mahotline.org

how to use abortion pills: howtouseabortionpill.org

practical support (transportation, etc): apiarycollective.org

abortion doula: wearedopo.com

emotional support during: reprocare.com

emotional support after: exhaleprovoice.org

connectandbreathe.org

protect yourself digitally:

While those seeking abortions will not be prosecuted under new law, it is best to be overly cautious and protect yourself digitally during these times. If possible:

Use a private browser with a VPN when seeking abortion related care

Turn off location sharing

Consider using an encrypted chat like Signal or Telegram and set messages to disappear

Avoid period tracking apps

Create a separate email for travel to and payment for your abortion, and delete it after

Visit digitaldefensefund.org to learn more about abortion cyber security.

legal help:

If you have been arrested, contacted by the police, or are in fear of being arrested for a self-managed abortion, you can contact below for help:

Legal Advice & Support: 844-868-2812

Bail & Fees: reprolegaldefensefund.org

General Help: ifwhenhow.org

Under 18: janesdueprocess.org

how you can help:

DONATE - donate to your local abortion fund. Ideally grassroots, mutual aid networks that need your money the most.

ADVOCATE - don’t let this be another issue everyone gets tired of talking about in a week. These are human rights that have been stripped away, and we can’t be silenced until we have them back. Protest, make noise in the streets, fill your senators’ inboxes, get DA/CAs to commit to not prosecuting abortion doctors.

LISTEN - this is a highly sensitive time for many people. Listen to your body-if you want to protest, protest. If you want to cry, cry. Be supportive of others and however they need to process. We will get through this, as we have before, but we must do it together.

get your personal ballot: 

votetravis.com

read the state proposition 1:

https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/872/billtext/pdf/SJ00002I.pdf#navpanes=0

https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/872/fiscalnotes/html/SB00012F.htm

read the state proposition 2:

https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/873/billtext/pdf/SJ00002E.pdf#navpanes=0

read the city prop:

https://www.groundgametexas.org/en/austin-vote-may-7

chronicle endorsements:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-04-22/chronicle-endorsements-for-the-may-7-state-and-local-election/

tribune notes on state props:

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/16/texas-school-property-tax-school-election/

ballotpedia info:

votetravis.com

endorsements & voter guides:

chronicle endorsements:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-11/chronicle-endorsements-for-the-march-primary-election/

league of womens voting guide:

https://lwvaustin.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=334869&module_id=475417

US house races:

districts map:

https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/docs/20R2660_117th_Congressional_Tabloid_2021_07_31.pdf

21:

https://www.cherif4congress.com/

https://www.votericardovillarreal.com/

https://www.davidandersonforcongress.com/

https://twitter.com/coybranscum?lang=en

https://www.conclaudia.com/

https://www.sturm4congress.com/

35:

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/11/10/texas-district-35-rep-eddie-rodriguez-running-candidate-campaign/6370648001/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/10/19/texas-election-2022-greg-casar-eddie-rodriguez-considering-run/8520836002/

https://carla-joyfordistrict35.com/

https://viagranforcongress.com/

https://www.casarforcongress.com/

https://www.eddiefortexas.com/

37:

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/the-congressman-the-engineer-and-the-newcomer-democratic-battle-for-austins-new-dist-37/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-04/longtimer-doggett-and-three-political-outsiders-vie-to-represent-the-newly-formed-37th-congressional/

https://doggett.house.gov/

https://votefordonna.com/

https://www.chrisjonesatx.com/

State Races:

governor:

what they do:

https://gov.texas.gov/governor-abbott/duties

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Texas

candidates:

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/meet-the-candidates-for-texas-governor-2022/#/questions/3710183

https://joydiaz.com/

https://www.cooper2022.com/

https://betoorourke.com/

https://wakelandfortexas.com/

lieutenant governor:

what they do:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Texas#:~:text=Under%20the%20provisions%20of%20the,president%20of%20the%20Texas%20Senate.&text=By%20the%20rules%20of%20the,the%20committee%20of%20his%20choice.

candidates:

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-this-week/texas-this-week-democrats-lieutenant-governor/269-87a6975e-f233-40ad-a20b-12ccd808f4ac

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/26/texas-democrats-lt-governor-primary/

https://carlafortexas.com/

https://www.collierfortexas.com/issues/

https://www.michellebeckley.com/issues

attorney general:

what they do:

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office/duties-responsibilities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Attorney_General

candidates:

https://www.rochellegarzafortexas.com/issues

https://www.leemerritt4texas.com/issues

https://jaworskifortexas.com/priorities/

comptroller:

what they do:

https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/2016/october/comptroller.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Comptroller_of_Public_Accounts

candidates:

https://www.janetdudding4texas.com/issues/

https://timmahoneycampaign.org/12-state-regions/

https://www.angelvega.com/vega-s-vision

land commissioner:

what they do:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_General_Land_Office

https://work.chron.com/duties-commissioner-general-lands-28534.html

candidates:

https://langeforland.com/

https://sandragrace4texans.com/

https://www.jinnysuhfortexas.com/

https://www.jay4tx.com/

agricultural commissioner:

what they do:

https://www.tpr.org/2018-midterm-elections/2018-10-31/what-are-the-duties-of-the-texas-ag-commissioner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Department_of_Agriculture

candidates:

https://www.hays4ag.com/

https://edfortexas.com/

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/10/sid-miller-ag-commissioner-texas-election/

board of education:

what they do:

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/the-state-board-of-education-seat-that-represents-central-texas-is-up-for-grabs-heres-why-it-matters/

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/leadership/state-board-of-education/sboe-board-members/sboe-members

candidates:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-11/state-board-of-education-bell-metereau-faces-two-challengers/

https://voterebecca.com/

https://www.juanjuarezfortx.org/about

texas house:

what they do:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_House_of_Representatives

50:

candidates:

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/13/james-talarico-move-austin/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-11/james-talarico-and-david-alcorta-lay-out-progressive-agendas-for-hd-50/

https://www.jamestalarico.com/

https://www.davidfortexas.org/

51:

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/02/12/meet-candidates-running-represent-district-51-texas-house/9247269002/

https://www.clairefortexas.com/

https://codyarnfortexas.com/

https://www.voteluluflores.com/

https://www.binofortexas.com/

https://www.hendrixfortexas.com/?fbclid=IwAR21ALWgO8YVxPUIDKFar6_ea2zYxQyPhgrPiSPn-52kvZ-V5jnvhr58w1U

https://www.cynthiafortexas.com/?fbclid=IwAR3HK6QkCQaWMuHlVl11-HugJQPbj6OZeEdNoSyvFs-wKliDnTgcQIRD6Rs

https://mattfortexas51.com/

Justice, 3rd court of appeals, place 4:

what they do:

https://www.txcourts.gov/about-texas-courts/courts-of-appeals.aspx#:~:text=The%2014%20courts%20of%20appeals,at%20least%20two%20other%20justices.

https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Third_District_Court_of_Appeals

candidates:

https://www.paulaknippaforjudge.com/

https://www.bethpayan.com/

county races:

district courts:

what they do:

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/civil/district

candidates:

261:

https://www.daniellaforjudge.com/

https://www.pamdavisforjudge.com/

331:

https://www.facebook.com/VoteForChantal/

https://votejessicaforjudge.com/

403:

https://www.judgebrandymueller.com/

https://www.craigforjudge.com/about

419:

https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/the-wild-race-for-419th-district-court-a-case-study-in-why-you-shouldnt-ignore-the-primaries/

http://www.connorforjustice.com/

https://votemauzy.com/meet_catherine/

455:

https://www.laurieforjudge.com/about-laurie/

https://www.eugeneforjudge.com/

county courts:

what they do:

https://www.txcourts.gov/about-texas-courts/trial-courts.aspx

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/civil/county#:~:text=Travis%20County's%20civil%20county%20courts,varies%20from%20county%20to%20county.

candidates:

4: domestic violence court

https://www.judgedimple.com/

https://www.janaforjudge.com/

5: DWI/former mental health court

https://www.maryannforjudge.com/

https://www.tanisaforjudge.com/contact?fbclid=IwAR3qMnWZYq3f47kG_v_OkimwVMJhIryYU92tzlCMFtjATTmC-X8LSLuUOQA

6: youthful offenders.

https://www.leslieforjudge.com/

https://votedeniseforjudge.com/

county clerk:

what they do:

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/recording/real-property/#:~:text=The%20Travis%20County%20Clerk's%20Recording,Military%20Discharges%2C%20and%20Public%20Notices.

candidates:

https://www.votedyana.com/meet-dyana

https://www.kurtforclerk.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmKiQBhClARIsAKtSj-leoiHIhvtUGO0ADbM1-QmiR07K3YPZoMYuFoleWcb0JCisMXc-OYMaAkrREALw_wcB

county commissioner:

what they do:

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/departments/commissioners-court/#:~:text=They%20are%20the%20chief%20policy,provide%20services%20to%20the%20community.

candidates:

2:

https://brigidshea.com/

https://www.bobforcommish.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmKiQBhClARIsAKtSj-lwyVRMh25_nmh1J6S-6XpK0fUMDAQuRV2SK-1rYffDy6kl9iolOr0aAovHEALw_wcB

4:

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/06/gomez-woody-prepare-for-rematch-at-ballot-box/

https://www.votemargaretgomez.com/

https://www.susanna4commissioner.com/?fbclid=IwAR3wezKrJ-aGBPYIpzZ0mDwwnZpqvxc_Sn_fFI_V3cKWPH82mmCv6ZijyqM

justice of the peace:

what they do:

https://www.traviscountytx.gov/justices-of-peace#:~:text=Justices%20of%20the%20peace%20handle,justice%20court%2C%20and%20administrative%20hearings.&text=They%20issue%20warrants%20for%20and,disposition%20of%20cruelly%20treated%20animals.

candidates:

https://judgeyvonnewilliams.com/

votetravis.com

endorsements & voter guides:

chronicle endorsements: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-11/chronicle-endorsements-for-the-march-primary-election/

league of womens voting guide: https://lwvaustin.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=334869&module_id=475417

US house races:

districts map: https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/docs/20R2660_117th_Congressional_Tabloid_2021_07_31.pdf

21:

https://www.cherif4congress.com/

https://www.votericardovillarreal.com/

https://www.davidandersonforcongress.com/

https://twitter.com/coybranscum?lang=en

https://www.conclaudia.com/

https://www.sturm4congress.com/

35:

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/11/10/texas-district-35-rep-eddie-rodriguez-running-candidate-campaign/6370648001/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/10/19/texas-election-2022-greg-casar-eddie-rodriguez-considering-run/8520836002/

https://carla-joyfordistrict35.com/

https://viagranforcongress.com/

https://www.casarforcongress.com/

https://www.eddiefortexas.com/

37:

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/the-congressman-the-engineer-and-the-newcomer-democratic-battle-for-austins-new-dist-37/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-04/longtimer-doggett-and-three-political-outsiders-vie-to-represent-the-newly-formed-37th-congressional/

https://doggett.house.gov/

https://votefordonna.com/

https://www.chrisjonesatx.com/

State Races:

governor:

what they do: https://gov.texas.gov/governor-abbott/duties

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Texas

candidates:

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/meet-the-candidates-for-texas-governor-2022/#/questions/3710183

https://joydiaz.com/

https://www.cooper2022.com/

https://betoorourke.com/

https://wakelandfortexas.com/

lieutenant governor:

what they do:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Texas#:~:text=Under%20the%20provisions%20of%20the,president%20of%20the%20Texas%20Senate.&text=By%20the%20rules%20of%20the,the%20committee%20of%20his%20choice.

candidates:

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-this-week/texas-this-week-democrats-lieutenant-governor/269-87a6975e-f233-40ad-a20b-12ccd808f4ac

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/26/texas-democrats-lt-governor-primary/

https://carlafortexas.com/

https://www.collierfortexas.com/issues/

https://www.michellebeckley.com/issues

attorney general:

what they do: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/about-office/duties-responsibilities

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Attorney_General

candidates:

https://www.rochellegarzafortexas.com/issues

https://www.leemerritt4texas.com/issues

https://jaworskifortexas.com/priorities/

comptroller:

what they do: https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/2016/october/comptroller.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Comptroller_of_Public_Accounts

candidates:

https://www.janetdudding4texas.com/issues/

https://timmahoneycampaign.org/12-state-regions/

https://www.angelvega.com/vega-s-vision

land commissioner:

what they do: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_General_Land_Office

https://work.chron.com/duties-commissioner-general-lands-28534.html

candidates:

https://langeforland.com/

https://sandragrace4texans.com/

https://www.jinnysuhfortexas.com/

https://www.jay4tx.com/

agricultural commissioner:

what they do: https://www.tpr.org/2018-midterm-elections/2018-10-31/what-are-the-duties-of-the-texas-ag-commissioner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Department_of_Agriculture

candidates:

https://www.hays4ag.com/

https://edfortexas.com/

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/10/sid-miller-ag-commissioner-texas-election/

board of education:

what they do: https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/the-state-board-of-education-seat-that-represents-central-texas-is-up-for-grabs-heres-why-it-matters/

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/leadership/state-board-of-education/sboe-board-members/sboe-members

candidates:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2022-02-11/state-board-of-education-bell-metereau-faces-two-challengers/

https://voterebecca.com/

What's Happening:

Austin is divided into ten city council districts. Which district you're in depends on where you live in Austin. Each district has one representative on city council who votes on numerous important city measures and represents the district as a whole.

These representatives are typically voted on by district residents every four years in November. However, District 4 Council Member Greg Casar is stepping down to run for congress, so a special election is being held right now to fill his seat.

Why This Matters:

City council members make crucial decisions that affect our every day lives. Their votes decide an incredible amount of things that happen around Austin. From major issues like defunding the police and public safety to other decisions surrounding how land is used, city council plays a vital, noticeable role in our day-to-day lives

This means it's imperative that we show up and elect candidates that we fill would best represent our interests so that we can see more good change around the city.

Who Can Vote:

Only people who live in a district can vote on which candidate will represent them on council. This means only people who live in district 4 are eligible to vote in this election.

via The Austin Chronicle

District 4 is in North Austin, including parts of Windsor Park, Highland, St. John's, Heritage Hills, and Quail Creek.

You can check which district you live in by entering your address at austintexas.gov/government

Who's Running:

There are seven candidates from all over the political spectrum running to represent district 4:

Amanda Rios

Isa Boonto

Ramesses II Setepenre

Melinda Schiera

Jade Lovera

Monica Guzmán

Jose “Chito” Vela

A candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win the election. If no candidate surpasses 50%, the election will go to a runoff in March between the top two candidates.

About the Candidates:

Amanda Rios

wants "world class" public safety

wants to end houseless camping

wants to address affordability

Isa Boonto

wants to address affordability

conscious of land-use and rezoning policies

las lived experience in the community

Rammesses II Setepenre

not much information regarding policy opinions online

self described "self-funded gay eco-socialist"

Melinda Schiera

wants to push affordable housing and dense infrastructure

supports implementation of prop b "in a humane manner"

wants more support for renters

Jade Lovera

concerned about public safety, housing, and affordability

wants to prioritize improved public safety measures

seeks tangible solutions relating to land use & transportation

Monica Guzmán

concerned with affordable housing, anti-displacement measures, and overdevelopment

part of the reimagining public safety task force

will fight for increased economic opportunities & social justice

Jose "Chito" Vela*

wants to address housing affordability & mixed use development

wants improved natural disaster response & green space

clear plan for public safety reform & path forward

endorsed by Greg Casar

Voting Information:

early voting: monday 1/10 - friday 1/21

election day: tuesday 1/25

find polling locations and information: votetravis.com

Greg Casar has been the most progressive member on city council. It's so important that his replacement is as committed to the district and overall community as he has been. We agree with Casar, The Chronicle, Workers Defense Action Fund, and so many more that Jose "Chito" Vela is the best candidate for the job.

Please vote! And if you aren't in district 4, consider supporting Vela's campaign and/or encouraging your district 4 people to get to the polls.

Helpful Readings:

https://www.kut.org/austin/2021-12-29/seven-people-are-running-for-the-district-4-seat-on-the-austin-city-council-here-they-are

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/12/whos-running-for-the-district-4-seat/

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2021/12/16/here-are-the-7-candidates-running-in-austins-city-council-district-4-special-election/

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/what-voters-need-to-know-ahead-of-austins-district-4-special-election/

https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/10/austin-district-4-candidates

Links & Sources:

What's Happening Links:

https://www.austintexas.gov/government

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/elections

https://www.casarforcongress.com/

Who Can Vote Links:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-06-30/the-road-to-10-1-add-one-more-to-1/

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/district-4

Who's Running Links:

https://amandaforaustin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/isaboonto/?ref=page_internal

https://www.facebook.com/RSfor4/?ref=page_internal

https://www.melinda4austin.com/

https://www.jadeforaustin.com/

https://www.monicaford4.com/

https://www.chitovela.com/

early voting: monday 10/18 - friday 10/29

election day: tuesday 11/2

votetravis.com

what is prop a?

Prop A aims to address staffing shortages within the Austin Police Department by requiring a minimum of two police officers per 1,000 population, and an additional 40 hours of post-cadet training hours per year. Front-line officers would also focus 35% of their time on "community engagement". 

the ballot language

It is important to note that the ordinance that would actually go into law is very different from this ballot language.

"Shall a petitioned ordinance be approved to enhance public safety and police oversight, transparency and accountability by adding new chapter 2-16 to establish minimum standards for the police department to ensure effective public safety and protect residents and visitors to Austin, and prescribing minimal requirements for achieving the same, at an estimated cost of $271.5 million – $598.8 million over five years"

the ordinance

While the ballot language for Proposition A mentions police oversight, transparency, and accountability, the ordinance which would go into effect should Prop A pass fails to address any of this.

The ordinance states that the additional training to be completed by front line officers would emphasize "critical thinking, defensive tactics, intermediate weapons proficiency, active shooter scenarios, and hasty team reactions"

The ordinance addresses police oversight by requiring council members and their staffers to complete the cirriculum of the Citizen Police Academy or an alternative program, and the Ride Along Program.

The ordinance does not address transparency or accountability.

the cost

Prop A would require a budget increase of $150-$300 million over a five year period of time. Because of a 3.5% cap on the current budgets, this portion of the city budget would grow faster than the overall city budget.

This means Prop A is only accomplishable by raising taxes and/or cutting other city services like Fire, EMS, parks, libraries, and more.

The City's Financial Services Department estimated that this initiative would potentially take $120 million per year from the city's budget.

Additionally, because of state law HB1900 any increase to APD's budget would be permanent, meaning the city would not ever be able to divest from this increase again.

why you should vote no

We currently have the highest police budget in the city's history. Because of HB1900, the police department's budget has already been refunded to where it was before last summer, plus around $10M. An additional increase would be unnecessary, counterproductive, and would fail to address the many issues within APD.

Crucial city services like Fire & EMS are also understaffed and underfunded, and threatening their budgets for more police officers is not a solution and would further endanger our community.

Despite rising crime rates, Austin remains one of the safest city's in America. Austin is ranked 27th out of the 30 largest cities in the US for violent crime rate.

who thinks what

For

Save Austin Now PAC

Three former Austin Mayors

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, D6

Against

APD Police Chief Joe Chacon

Austin Firefighters Association

Mayor Steve Adler

Mayor Pro-Tem Natasha Harper-Madison, D1

City Council Members of D2, D3, D4, D5, D7, D8, D9, D10

Austin Justice Coalition

Travis County Democratic Party

Austin Pets Alive!

Austin Parks Foundation

Sierra Club

and many, many more community organizations & representatives

how you can help

Vote! Early voting starts Monday, October 18th. These elections historically have extremely low turnout, and it is vitally important that as many voters as possible show up to the polls.

Volunteer / Donate to No Way on Prop A - No Way on Prop A is the opposition group fighting to ensure prop a fails. Give them your support! nowayonpropa.com

Spread the Word! Text your people and raise awareness about this dangerous initiative that would scar our city deeply. Make sure your social circles show up the the polls and are informed about this initiative.

"The Austin Firefighters Association knows Prop A will make it harder to keep Austinites safe, and that’s why the association is opposing this dangerous measure...Prop A would force the City to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to hire up to 885 more officers with zero accountability, forcing cuts to essential services and City employees like Fire, EMS and mental health care by diverting their funding to the police department.” -Carol Guthrie, business manager of AFSCME Local 1624

vote no on prop a.

what is prop a? sources

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/vote-texas/austin-proposition-a-police-staffing-nov-2-election-texas-travis-county/269-b9ee212c-d17d-400e-aed7-4a3bccf779b5

the ballot language sources

http://austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=369446

the ordinance sources

http://austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=369446

the cost sources

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/vote-texas/austin-proposition-a-police-staffing-nov-2-election-texas-travis-county/269-b9ee212c-d17d-400e-aed7-4a3bccf779b5

https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB1900/2021

why you should vote no sources

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/austin-police-department-budget-fiscal-year-2021-22-austin-city-council/269-9792906d-6a6b-4ec2-901f-ae4cf4f7ab87

https://austintexas.gov/page/apd-budget#:~:text=City%20Council%20Reimagining%20Public%20Safety,budget%20change%20of%20%24153.2%20million.

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/austin-ems-fire-dealing-with-staffing-shortages

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-10-01/even-with-record-breaking-murder-numbers-austin-is-one-of-americas-safest-cities-huh/

who thinks what sources

https://www.austinpropa.com/who-we-are

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/three-former-austin-mayors-mackenzie-kelly-endorse-prop-a-initiative

https://fb.watch/8BPpfWt9Nd/

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/austin-firefighters-association-moves-forward-with-campaign-against-citys-prop-a#:~:text=AUSTIN%2C%20Texas%20%E2%80%94%20Austin%20Firefighters%20Association,show%2057%25%20oppose%20Proposition%20A.

https://nowaypropa.com/who-we-are/

how you can help sources

votetravis.com

nowayonpropa.com

a brief overview of tx-dot's i-35 expansion plans, the effects it would cause, and what you can do to stop it

What’s happening?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is redesigning I-35 from 290 E to SH 71/Ben White Blvd. This project is called "I-35 Capital Express Central", part of a bigger project "Mobility35".

I-35 Capital Express Central proposes the addition of two HOV lanes in each direction, the removal of the upper decks, lowering some lanes downtown, and creating shared use paths for bicycles and pedestrians. This would make I-35 20 lanes wide.

Right now TxDOT is in the "scoping phase" of the environmental process. This is an early step that involves collecting community input. This is the third of four public input sessions from Tx-DOT.

TxDOT will then utilize the feedback they collect to refine their plans.

HOV lanes - high occupancy vehicle lanes (car/vanpools, emergency services, and public transit vehicles) 

The Process

Tx-DOT has outlined three main phases to complete the I-35 expansion project in Austin. 

Why This Matters

Environmental Responsibility - Expanding a highway to 20 lanes will increase emissions, pollution, contribute to climate change, and more. The best way to combat climate change in regards to mobility is to provide increased modes of transportation, not expand ones that prioritize car mobility.

Segregation - I-35 was built as a racial and economic segregator of East and West Austin and expanding it wider contributes to this division. We should be focused on connecting these parts of the city, not making the literal gap between them wider.

Congestion -  It is well documented that expanding highways does not decrease traffic. Allowing more lanes of traffic doesn't fix the traffic problem, it makes it bigger. We need to focus on alternative modes of transportation to have a meaningful impact on traffic in Austin.

The Plans

Despite public promises in 2020 from Texas Transportation Chair J. Bruce Bugg that the CapExCentral would go "no wider and no higher" than the current I-35 profile, Tx-DOT has narrowed their plans to two build ideas, both of which indeed go wider than the current I-35 profile, as well as one non-build alternative.

Frustratingly and unsurprisingly, the most equitable plan which did NOT expand I-35 wider or higher, was dismissed by Tx-DOT.

Both build plans will:

-remove the upper decks

-add two HOV lanes in each direction (+4 lanes)

-lower some of the main lanes of I-35 below street level

-add mixed use bicycle/pedestrian paths

-acquire 30+ acres of Austin land

-displace around 150 homes and businesses

The Main Plans

The differences between the two build plans are very minor: how much land Tx-DOT would acquire, how certain lanes are stacked, and some other smaller details.

The Major Issues

Expanding I-35 will disproportionately affect bipoc communities - Not only is I-35 a physical segregator of East and West Austin, but the environmental, cultural, and health consequences would also negatively and disproportionately affect bipoc communities.

Expanding I-35 will cause massive environmental issues - When we prioritize car transportation, we encourage the use of more cars, increasing emissions in the air that we breathe every day. Transportation is already the #1 cause of emissions in Austin.

Expanding I-35 will not decrease traffic - Tx-DOT themselves have acknowledged that expanding I-35 will not provide meaningful congestion relief. When you create more space for vehicles, more vehicles will come, creating more traffic. This is called induced demand.

Prioritizing car travel is dangerous -  I-35 is already the most dangerous interstate in Austin. By expanding it, injuries and deaths on the road would increase.

What You Can Do

1.Make Your Voice Heard: Legally, Tx-DOT must publish and consider all public comment they receive throughout this process.

The deadline to submit comment is Friday, September 24th.

You can send a prewritten letter here: https://bit.ly/3CjERHB

You can write your own letter here: https://bit.ly/3EsAdZS

You can call them here: (512) 651-2948

You can email them directly here: [email protected]

2. Share: Every comment matters in ensuring the I-35 Tx-DOT reconstructs through Austin serves the community. Talk to your people and make sure everyone has a plan to voice their opinions on the I-35 expansion before Friday, September 24th.

follow organizations like Reconnect Austin and ReThink35 to stay up to date about this project. 

"[I-35] is the physical manifestation of a segregationist past and segregationist policies. It's the poster child of car choked mobility systems. It pumps countless tons of carbon and pollutants every single year into the air we breathe and right now, right now, TxDOT thinks the best way to build I-35 is to build more I-35....Something needs to be done about I-35, but the final plan needs to be no wider and no higher than what we have right now. It needs to reflect our community's values when it comes to mobility, safety, carbon emissions, and reconnecting our very fragile and fractured communities." - Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison

Sources:

https://www.kut.org/transportation/2021-09-13/heres-every-property-that-would-lose-land-to-txdots-i-35-expansion-in-central-austin?fbclid=IwAR3iK0_IGBvJjZF1zj-5UXOBS0m7bpiePXoRsFyMj2Xm5s7kIRU1zEjM_nI

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/09/01/austin-i-35-expansion-txdot-construction-opposition/5681378001/?fbclid=IwAR2MJtMyFFAfa0KbEac9izTWo9vMfwasBs9g0Dw3h_2W-QcUR3W5us6pX40

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-09-10/every-comment-counts-to-get-txdot-to-try-harder-on-plans-for-i-35/?fbclid=IwAR2ztPccxzUUMFCro1uAqIvAtqfA6lqoYSCuLrD8yRnfc5oLLS5IWeJgpt4

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/i-35-no-to-txdot-plans?source=twitter&fbclid=IwAR2xMhRzPyY5i6IkK5PXE41qX6B5jsKSGgiCXZBASg3g3NNYRNTwglHs5hw

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/submit-a-comment/?fbclid=IwAR003gyhybaFzqV9LkF02-H1WmUNb7ahXbU0V-pTkzkdmavCSBDmoZlCN88

https://www.facebook.com/ReconnectAustin

https://my35capex.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CapEx-Central-Fact-Sheet-English.pdf

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTw3xk7FpBs/

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/build-alternatives/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-09-10/every-comment-counts-to-get-txdot-to-try-harder-on-plans-for-i-35/?fbclid=IwAR2ztPccxzUUMFCro1uAqIvAtqfA6lqoYSCuLrD8yRnfc5oLLS5IWeJgpt4

a brief insight into the 2021-2022 police budget, what it means, and action you can take

The Budget Process

Every July, the city manager proposes a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In Austin, the fiscal year begins in October.

This proposed budget then goes through community input and work sessions to edit and improve it.

After, City Council has the opportunity to make amendments to the proposed budget before it is officially adopted in August.

What is the proposed police budget?

The proposed police budget for FY 2021-2022 is $442,810,113.

For reference, the approved police budget was $292,948,716 in FY 2020-2021.

In FY 2019-2020, it was https://assets.austintexas.gov/budget/19-20/downloads/2020_Approved_Budget.pdf.

Despite lengthy and passionate demonstrations from tens of thousands of Austin locals in 2020, the proposed police budget for 2021-2022 is the highest in the history of Austin.

Why did it increase?

During the Texas Legislative session this year, Texas representatives passed HB 1900 which penalizes large cities that move to divest money from police departments. This goes into effect in September 2021.

HB 1900 says that any city larger than 250,000 people that cuts police funding can have the state appropriate part of that city's sales tax to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Basically, the state can take funds from cities who defund the city police & instead fund the state police. These cities would also be banned from increasing property tax or utility tax.

Additionally, this also means that increases to police budgets are now permanent, because they cannot be defunded even a little bit in future years.

Dems who supported HB 1900: Bobby Guerra (D41), Ryan Guillan (D31), Tracy King (D80), Thresa Meza (D105), Eddie Morales (D74), Richard Raymond (D42)

A main issue

To be in compliance with HB 1900, Austin would need to increase the budget to it's previous 2019-2020 level of $434 million. However, the proposed budget is $8.5 million more than that, at $442 million. Keep in mind that this $442 million could not be decreased in future years.

Contrarily, just $1.9 million is to be allocated to recommendations by the Reimagine Public Safety Taskforce. The estimated funding for these recommendations is $29.5 million, so the proposed budget really misses the mark.

Task force recommendations

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_6hYdyDGi5yGt0ff5bZC8GHOd3gM6uVr/view?usp=drivesdk

from @grassroots_leadership

More information

All of the funds allocated to community-centered solutions like family violence shelters, substance use care, homelessness, mental health, and more remain in the budget.

However, the forensics lab which under APD famously and seriously mishandled hundreds of r*pe kits for decades will now go back into the police budget. Additionally, the 911 call center which was independent will also now be under the police budget.

What you can do

Sign up to testify before 12pm on Wednesday, July 28th. Testimonies will be heard on July 29th.

Write city council and tell them to move $8.5 million from APD's budget into recommendations from the Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce.

Follow and support organizations like Communities of Color United, Grassroots Leadership, ICE Fuera de Austin, and Texas Harm Reduction Alliance who continue to tirelessly fight to keep our communities safe

“The fact that a large number of Negroes turned loose by their owners are congregating in and about Austin, as also, perhaps, desperate white men ...makes it necessary to organize a police force to deal with them." -Thomas Ward, Mayor of Austin 1865

defund the police. sign up to testify and write your reps today.

The Budget Process Sources

https://ehq-production-us-california.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/16eca6691bd0574348296ad3058bca9ac2fecabf/original/1625857642/84cad2d9ef7f1ec8f2b606dcaa69e059_2022_Proposed_Budget.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAIBJCUKKD4ZO4WUUA%2F20210728%2Fus-west-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20210728T035638Z&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=d9284c5b1faedd2656fec7ee290dac445a61b783a05010d909e1d4b94a3d3c15

https://www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/afo_content.cfm?s=1#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Austin%20fiscal,final%20budget%20in%20mid%2DAugust.

https://www.speakupaustin.org/budget-2022

What is the proposed police budget? sources

https://ehq-production-us-california.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/16eca6691bd0574348296ad3058bca9ac2fecabf/original/1625857642/84cad2d9ef7f1ec8f2b606dcaa69e059_2022_Proposed_Budget.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAIBJCUKKD4ZO4WUUA%2F20210728%2Fus-west-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20210728T035837Z&X-Amz-Expires=300&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=2b9bb4e8a37f48a1552ca88068b27606cc54ed5b1c897bb2be59cab5d1c2963f

https://assets.austintexas.gov/budget/20-21/downloads/2020-21_Approved_Budget.pdf

https://assets.austintexas.gov/budget/19-20/downloads/2020_Approved_Budget.pdf

https://www.austintexas.gov/financeonline/afo_content.cfm?s=1

why did it increase? sources

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/05/06/texas-police-budget-cuts-legislature/

https://journals.house.texas.gov/hjrnl/87r/pdf/87RDAY58FINAL.PDF#page=200

A main issue source

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRl_4MmN6P_/

task force recommendations sources

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRl_4MmN6P_/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_6hYdyDGi5yGt0ff5bZC8GHOd3gM6uVr/view?usp=drivesdk

more information sources

https://www.facebook.com/GregorioCasar/photos/a.626476780772907/4284367934983755/

what you can do sources

https://cityofaustin.formstack.com/forms/austin_city_council_speaker_signup

What the camping ban means for Austin, where the unhoused can go, and how you can help.

What Happened

On May 1st, 2021 Prop B passed with a 57%-43% vote. 

This makes it a class C misdemeanor criminal offense to sit or lie down on city sidewalks, sleep outdoors near downtown and UT campus, to solicit money or things of value at certain times in certain places, and to camp outside of designated camping areas in public. 

The Stats

Around 23% of eligible voters participated in this election. Note: this stat is only representative of Travis County. Williamson and Hays county also had small percentages in this vote. You can view those results here and here. 

About 40% of yes votes were republican. More than half of democratic voters also voted for prop b. Note: I don’t have access to the data to verify these stats, however I feel very confident that they are accurate. 

West Austin overwhelmingly voted for, while East Austin voted against.

Source

The Four Phase Plan

The city has created a four phase plan to reinforce the ban.

1. Community Education and Engagement

This phase started on May 11th and will end on June 12th. During this phase, APD and the "Homeless Outreach Street Team" will connect people in violation of the ban with resources and APD will issue verbal warnings, unless there is an immediate threat to health & safety.

  2.  Written Warnings & Citations

This phase begins on June 13th and ends on July 10th. APD will issue written warnings and may issue citations to people who have already received warnings.

 3.  Sweeps & Arrests

This phase is from July 11th - August 7th. APD will begin throwing away camps that haven't moved after receiving citations. They will also begin to arrest people who haven't moved after receiving citations in areas deemed dangerous for the public.

  4.  More Sweeps & Arrests

This phase starts on August 8th and will continue indefinitely. APD will arrest those in violation of the ban who have received a citation, regardless of the area of town they are in.

Note: this phased plan is only for camping. The sit/lie and panhandling ordinances went into effect immediately on May 11th. 

The Plan in Practice

According to volunteers on the ground with StopTheSweepsATX, APD has been issuing misleading warnings and lackluster resources to the unhoused community.

Unhoused people have been given written warnings to remove their belongings and move out within 30 days, warnings that are being administered weeks and months earlier than the plan laid out by the city instructed.

Additionally, the resources given direct unhoused people to go to shelters that are already full and to the controversial Christian Community First! Village, which costs money.

It is extremely difficult to monitor how this four-phase plan is being implemented. However, with reports from local grassroots organizations like StopTheSweepsATX and LittlePetalAlliance and our knowledge of APD's normal practices, it is safe to assume the plan laid out by the city will be and is being interpreted by APD as more of a suggestion than an order from the city.

The Consequences

The fine for violating the camping ban is up to $500. While there will be no jail terms for violating the ban, those who do not pay the fine may be issued an arrest warrant.

According to the City of Austin website, those who receive a citation for violating the ban may be able to participate in a deferral or conditional dismissal program in lieu of a fine. Additionally, those who receive a fine but are unable to pay may be given alternatives by a judge, such as community service work.

It is important to note that each of these options are situational, and it is naive to trust the system to put any of our unhoused neighbors' best interests first. We can fully expect APD and those enforcing the ban to prioritize criminalization over compassionate solutions.

Where People Can Go

There are around 2,200 unsheltered people in Austin.

There are not enough shelter beds in Austin to shelter our entire unhoused community.

While the city plans to house 3,000 people in the next three years, just 400 people are on track to be housed by the city by the end of this year, leaving many people without options.  

City Council will create designated campsites for unhoused people to camp without repercussions. They are currently considering 45 different sites - none of them in District 6, who overwhelmingly voted for the camping ban - however it is unclear when these sites will be finalized or opened for people to live.

Our unhoused neighbors are being asked to immediately vacate, with very few options on where to go next.

The Sit/Lie Ban

Within the gray areas, except for the UT Campus, sitting or lying on public sidewalks is prohibited. Those in violation will have 30 minutes to comply with the ordinance before receiving a citation.

Until June 12th, APD will issue warnings. After, APD will issue verbal notices and citations after 30 minutes of noncompliance.

Exceptions to the ordinance include having a medical emergency, operating or buying from a business, events, near bus stops, waiting in line, and sitting on public/private seats.

The Panhandling Ban

The panhandling ban prohibits solicitation:

Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Within 25 feet of the entrance or exit to a bank, an ATM, or check cashing business.

On or near a marked crosswalk .

On either side of a street near an entrance or exit to a school attended by minors or a childcare facility.

At an authorized sidewalk café or the patio area of a bar/restaurant.

It also prohibits solicitation at all times of the day if it's deemed aggressive:

Intentionally or recklessly touching a person without their consent.

Following the person in a way that is intended to or likely to intimidate them to give money.

Causes the person fear of imminent bodily harm or the commission of a crime.

Blocking the passage of the person being solicited in a way that requires them to take evasive action(s) to avoid contact.

Using obscene or abusive language.

What You Can Do

Direct Action - Go to camps and let our unhoused neighbors know you can help. Needs vary, and direct action is one of the most effective ways to be of assistance. Follow @StopTheSweepsATX, @StreetForumATX, and @FairDefense to get involved and stay up to date on how to help.

Protest - Join Little Petal Alliance at city hall at any time to protest Prop B and demand housing. You can also support protestors by sending food and other supplies. Follow @LittlePetalAlliance on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest information.

Donate - Continue supporting mutual aid organizations like those listed above who provide direct assistance to our unhoused neighbors.

If you or someone you know has received a ticket related to the ban, call the Texas Fair Defense Project at 512-637-5220 (press 0) for help.  

What Happened Sources

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/vote-texas/austin-election-results-prop-b-homeless-camping-ban/269-ed64c10f-3604-49a1-a5f5-04f621ee3f75

https://austintexas.gov/propb-homeless#passagepropb

The Stats Sources

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/images/pdfs/election_results/2021.05.01/L21_Final_Election_Cumulative_Summary.pdf

https://twitter.com/longhornderek/status/1388650315092795394?s=20

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/05/12/austin-camping-ban-bipartisan-support-east-west-divide-persisted/4946153001/

The Four Phase Plan Source

https://austintexas.gov/propb-homeless#passagepropb

The Plan in Practice Sources

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPEEJAxFS5G/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

https://www.instagram.com/littlepetalalliance/

The Consequences Source

https://austintexas.gov/propb-homeless#passagepropb

Where People Can Go Sources

https://1zdndu3n3nla353ymc1h6x58-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-HMIS-Snapshot-One-Pagers-FINAL.pdf

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/city-to-give-update-on-designated-homeless-encampments-friday/

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-homeless-summit-sets-goal-to-house-3000-people-in-3-years/269-b03ac886-85ec-4c56-8062-26bb538b0770

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/austin-council-lays-out-summer-timeline-for-implementing-designated-homeless-camping-sites

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-designated-homeless-encampments-heres-why-some-sites-will-likely-be-cut-from-the-list/

The Sit/Lie Ban Source

https://austintexas.gov/propb-homeless#passagepropb

The Panhandling Ban Source

https://austintexas.gov/propb-homeless#passagepropb

What You Can Do Sources

https://www.instagram.com/littlepetalalliance/

https://www.instagram.com/stopthesweepsatx/

https://www.instagram.com/streetforumatx/

early voting 4/19-4/27 election day 5/1 votetravis.com

1. The Plan

At the Summit to Address Unsheltered Homelessness in Austin this spring, community leaders released a plan to rehouse 3,000 people experiencing homelessness in three years.

The plan would provide 2,300 rental units and 1,000 supportive permanent housing units to those in need. It includes funding for up to 4,000 units.

Additionally, the city has set aside funds for homelessness prevention services, with the goal of helping 7,500 people.

source

This plan would house 400 people by December 2021, 1,200 people by October 2022, and 3,000 people by April 2024. This plan has already begun, and community leaders have released the plan to the public partly in an effort to hold themselves accountable.

"The goals are met through a combination of rehousing interventions including, but not limited to a radical expansion of affordable housing and near-term rehousing strategies to rapidly reduce encampments...A series of 24 targeted rehousing activations, which are immediate opportunities for our neighbors experiencing homelessness to move to housing, will take place over the next 18 months with the goal of rehousing more than 1,200 people. Rehousing activations are a proven practice that supports the rapid rehousing of individuals and the management of shared public spaces. Additional elements of the plan range from one-time rental assistance to permanent housing subsidies and wrap-around services known as permanent supportive housing." - Summit Press Release

2. Community First! Village

Community First! Village in northeast Travis County is adding 1,400 tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness.

The village provides skill-building and job opportunities for residents. They also provide full time behavioral health case managers and primary healthcare solutions.

Residents pay $230-$430+ a month depending on the type of home they're in.

3. The Heal Initiative

The HEAL (Homeless Encampment Assistance Link) Initiative aims to rehouse people experiencing homelessness in four high-traffic areas in Austin, and connect those people with housing that meets their needs.

This initiative would also ban camping in the four areas that unhoused people are removed, likely in summer 2021.

Housing options for affected folx include:

rapid rehousing (short term rental assistance/services)

permanent supportive housing

housing-focused shelter

People will also be connected to medical, behavioral, and substance use services.

Policing and citations cannot be used to enforce the upcoming camping ban as part of this initiative.

4. The Hotels

In early 2021, the city approved purchasing two hotels to house people experiencing homelessness. This housing would also provide job, health care, mental health services. The funding came the police budget cuts in 2020.

These hotels will provide supportive housing for hundreds of people.

5. The Vouchers

As part of the plan to house 3,000 people in three years, the city and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin have announced 125 vouchers for permanent supportive housing.

These vouchers can be used at four properties in Austin to cover rent for up to 20 years.

These vouchers are designed to help people get back on their feet, and have a space to thrive.

The Plan Sources

https://www.kxan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2021/04/Summit-to-Address-Unsheltered-Homelessness-in-Austin-%E2%80%93-Working-Document-as-presented-April-15-2021.pdf

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-homelessness-summit-sets-goal-of-housing-3000-in-the-next-three-years/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/04/15/austin-homeless-summit-goals-include-3-000-units-millions-funding/7238288002/

https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/government/2021/04/20/plan-to-house-3000-homeless-individuals-in-austin-in-the-next-three-years-would-cost-515-million/

Community First Sources

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2021/04/14/community-first-village-add-1400-new-homes-homeless-austin/7202865002/

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/1400-new-micro-homes-coming-to-community-first-village-for-chronically-homeless-in-austin/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-12/austin-s-community-first-village-tackles-homelessness#:~:text=Village%2C%20a%2027%2Dacre%20master,residents%20are%20employed%20on%2Dsite.

https://mlf.org/faq_category/living-at-community-first-village/

Heal Initiative Sources

http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/pio/document.cfm?id=357724

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/homeless/austin-heal-initiative-blueprint/269-87e567c1-db50-403b-b186-6875eb752cb2

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/how-do-you-heal-homelessness-in-austin-this-new-city-effort-hopes-to-do-it/

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincouncilforum/BD-20210201165234.pdf

The Hotels Sources

https://patch.com/texas/downtownaustin/austin-city-council-okays-4th-hotel-purchase-house-homeless

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/01/27/austin-city-council-set-buy-hotel-house-homeless/4285813001/

The Vouchers Source

Election Day: Saturday, May 1

Early Voting: Monday, April 19 - Tuesday, April 27

Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, April 1

Last Day to Apply for Mail In Ballot: Tuesday, April 20

Check Your Voter Info & Register at votetravis.com

Prop A: Yes

Prop B: No

Prop C: Yes

Prop D: Yes

Prop E: Yes

Prop F: No

Prop G: Yes

Prop H: Yes

Prop A: Yes

Firefighter Arbitration

"Shall the City Charter be amended to give the Austin Firefighters Association, Local 975 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the authority to require the City to participate in binding arbitration of all issues in dispute with the Association if the City and the Association reach impasse in collective bargaining negotiations?"

Should there be an impasse in negotiations between the city and the AFA, Prop A would require an arbitrator (basically a judge) to reach a deal. This prop was requested by the firefighter's union as a way to fairly reach agreements should there be an impasse. This affects firefighter pay & benefits among other things, and voting yes would help ensure our firefighter's get the rights that they deserve.

Prop B: No

Criminalizing Homelessness

"Shall an ordinance be adopted that would create a criminal offense and a penalty for sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk or sleeping outdoors in and near the Downtown area and the area around the University of Texas campus; create a criminal offense and penalty for solicitation, defined as requesting money or another thing of value, at specific hours and locations or for solicitation in a public area that is deemed aggressive in manner; create a criminal offense and penalty for camping in any public area not designated by the Parks and Recreation Department?"

Prop B would make it a criminal offense to sit/lie, panhandle at certain times, and camp in many areas of Austin. Giving people criminal records for being unhoused, especially without providing a space for them to go, keeps people in the cycle of homelessness, does not provide a solution for homelessness, and is completely devoid of morals. The city should commit to housing 1,000 people with full support systems this year and has already begun purchasing properties for this purpose. Vote NO on prop B to protect our unhoused neighbors and to support solutions that actually work to help people experiencing homelessness.

Prop C: Yes

Police Oversight

"Shall the city charter be amended to allow for a Director of Police Oversight to be appointed or removed in a manner established by City Council ordinance, with duties that include the responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability as it relates to policing?"

Prop C would allow the Office of Police Oversight to become more independent than it is now, which would increase it's ability to hold the police accountable. Currently, the Office of Police Oversight reports to the same administration that they're supposed to hold accountable. Voting yes on Prop C would ensure a more independent and more accountable Office of Police Oversight.

Prop D: Yes

Mayoral Elections

"Shall the City Charter be amended to transition the election for mayor from gubernatorial election years to presidential election years, providing that the mayor elected in 2022 will serve a 2-year term and then mayoral elections will occur on the same date as presidential elections starting in 2024?"

Prop D would move city-wide mayor elections to presidential years. Currently, mayoral elections happen on governor-election years. Moving the mayoral elections to presidential election years would increase voter turnout and ensure the votes for mayor are a more accurate representation of Austin voters' wants. More people are at the voting booths on presidential years, so it's important we move mayoral elections to these years to get more voter turnout in these important elections.

Prop E: Yes

Ranked Choice Voting

"Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for the use of ranked choice voting in city elections, if such voting is permitted by state law?"

Prop E would start the process for implementing ranked-choice voting in Austin. Ranked choice voting allows you to rank your candidate choices on your ballot, so if your first choice vote doesn't garner enough votes, your vote will be cast for your second or third choice. This would eliminate runoff elections, which typically have much lower voter turnouts and fail to accurately represent the needs of Austin voters. Ranked choice voting is a powerful tool for more efficient and more effective elections and we should take every step necessary to implement this process. Vote yes Prop E.

Prop F: No

Strong Mayor

"Shall the City Charter be amended to change the form of city government from ‘council-manager’ to ‘strong mayor-council,’ which will eliminate the position of professional city manager and designate an elected mayor as the chief administrative and executive officer of the city with veto power over all legislation which includes the budget; and with sole authority to hire and fire most department heads and direct staff; and with no articulated or stated charter authority to require the mayor to implement Council decisions."

Prop F would allow the mayor to manage most city departments, veto council legislation, and more. Currently, most of these responsibilities are delegated to the city manager, who is not elected by the public. While it is not preferable to have an unelected official like the city manager to manage these important decisions, having the mayor manage them isn't an equitable solution. Allowing the mayor to veto council legislation and hire/fire department heads gives the mayor too much power. While we should continue to reinvent how these responsibilities should be delegated in an equitable manner, we should vote no on prop F to avoid giving the mayor too much power.

Prop G: Yes

Add a City Council District

"Shall the City Charter be amended to provide for an additional geographic council district which will result in 11 council members elected from single member districts?"

Prop G would add an 11th city council district. Because Austin is growing so quickly, it's important that city council grows as well to best represent all of Austin's voices. This would increase voting power for many marginalized Austin voters and allow for more diverse representation on council.

This would also mean there would be an even number of voters (12) on council which could lead to tied-votes in council legislation. Passing prop G would also require passing another proposition in a future election to combat tie-votes in city council. Regardless, it's important to ensure every voter can be represented fairly in Austin so it's important to add a district.

Prop H: Yes

Democracy Dollars

"Shall the City Charter be amended to adopt a public campaign finance program, which requires the city clerk to provide up to two $25 vouchers to every registered voter who may contribute them to candidates for city office who meet the program requirements?"

Prop H would give up to two $25 vouchers to registered Austin voters to donate to city office candidates for local elections. This would allow more voters to financially support their favorite candidates, and would allow grassroots candidates to have a fighting chance against big-money backed candidates. This puts more power in the hands of grassroots candidates and voters, and would be a beneficial addition to the city's electoral politics.

Important Info

Election Day: Saturday, May 1

Early Voting: Monday, April 19 - Tuesday, April 27

Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, April 1

Last Day to Apply for Mail In Ballot: Tuesday, April 20

Check Your Voter Info & Register at votetravis.com

Join the fight against Prop B! The GOP-led effort to criminalize homelessness is extremely well funded and aggressive. Follow @NoOnPropB, @HomesNotHandcuffs, and @atxdsa on Instagram & Facebook to stay involved and take action in the fight against Prop B.

Talk to your friends! In 2018, just 4.04% of eligible voters voted in the May election. Each proposition on the 2021 May ballot is very important and most of them will affect Austin voters directly. It's important that we have a high voter turnout this year to ensure the results of the election accurately reflect the wants & needs of Austin voters. Please reach out to your community and help your people make a voting plan for May's election.

Sources

lots of info was taken from greg casars voting guide

you can view ballot language here

election details here

Prop A Sources

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/03/firefighters-push-for-passage-of-arbitration-amendment-with-proposition-a/

Prop B Sources

there’s a lot of housing initiatives for the unhoused starting now. here are some examples:

https://patch.com/texas/downtownaustin/austin-city-council-okays-4th-hotel-purchase-house-homeless

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/03/31/new-north-austin-supportive-housing-project-take-171-people-off-streets/4806106001/?fbclid=IwAR2rLEZmiCjhH9MhtZ-y8GLfDGmyGGAcqYEiRrEhjfs9l-FkneCIolHcM-0

https://www.kxan.com/news/several-new-homeless-housing-projects-to-pop-up-in-austin/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwAR1zXZ8QLwkuzfn3oyBdssvvvD4xEL1ZfKUUnNEtn16np09slKi-ae9WDSU

here’s a more broad overview for prop b:

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/homeless/austin-homeless-camp-fires-city-leaders-proposition-b/269-1d6bfebd-9b53-479b-a4cc-9f9c58da383a

you can also see my post on prop b for more info

Prop C Sources

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/03/proposition-c-explained/

Prop D Sources

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/04/should-mayoral-election-be-moved-to-presidential-years/

Prop E Sources

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/04/ranked-choice-voting-proposal-faces-legal-legislative-questions-after-may-election/

https://www.fairvote.org/rcvbenefits

Prop F Sources

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/austin-city-council-prop-f-strong-mayor-system/269-11c51b04-3ff1-4202-bbfa-48b5033d15c7

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/council-members-express-dismay-with-prop-f-plan-to-give-mayor-chief-executive-powers

Prop G Sources

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/03/prop-gs-extra-council-seat-could-mean-gridlock-if-strong-mayor-proposal-fails/

Prop H Sources

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/03/democracy-dollars-proposal-looks-to-spread-influence-participation-in-elections/

Tx-DOT is currently accepting feedback for the official public record on the expansion of I-35. This round of public comment ends on Friday, April 9th. You can submit comment directly here, and send a prewritten letter in opposition here. 

What’s Happening

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is redesigning I-35 from 290 E to SH 71/Ben White Blvd. This project is called "I-35 Capital Express Central", part of a bigger project called "Mobility35".

I-35 Capital Express Central proposes the addition of two non-tolled managed lanes in each direction and the removal of the upper decks.

Right now TxDOT is in the "scoping phase" of the environmental process. This is an early step that involves collecting community input. April 9th is the final opportunity for public input in the scoping phase of this project.

via Tx-DOT

Why This Is Bad

All of Tx-DOT's three plans make I-35 wider, up to 20 lanes wide.

It is well documented that expanded highways do not reduce traffic. Not only does an I-35 expansion fail as a solution to traffic congestion, it would create new problems in segregation, displacement, safety, and mobility.

Large highways are more dangerous as they host more vehicles, and result in more injuries and deaths. Prioritizing high speeds & capacity leads to more car crashes, more noise, and more pollution-all of which disproportionately affect people of color and make Austin less safe.

I-35 is physical barrier keeping East & West Austin segregated. It is not only difficult to physically cross, but it has also retained it's divisive role as an economic and racial segregator since it opened in 1962.

"For decades, I-35 has been an enforcer of division. We should be working to connect our communities, instead of making that division wider. I cannot support a project that conflicts with the city's connectivity goals and that could widen the highway unnecessarily without addressing the real traffic needs inside the city." - Council Member Greg Casar

Updates to the Plan

After city officials, local organizations, stakeholders, and the public overwhelmingly voiced their opinions in opposition to Tx-DOT's plans in December 2020, Tx-DOT released a new statement reflecting a slight improvement to the plans which lightly addressed the community's loudly stated needs.

This new plan would partially put a cap on one part of I-35 in Austin, allowing for some sort of community space to be on top of the highway. Tx-DOT was clear that they would not be funding that part of the project.

However, in this scenario Tx-DOT would still expand I-35 to 20 lanes and does not address the fundamental mobility issues that Austin residents need fixed.

Potential Solutions

via Walk Austin

To best serve the Austin community, we think I-35 should be buried. Car traffic should be directed underground to allow communities to connect up top. I-35 runs through the center of Austin after all, and it doesn't make sense to widen the already divisive concrete barrier.

According to a comment from the then-Deputy Director of the Watershed Protection Department, Joe Pantalion, "the Austin chalk limestone that’s 60 to 70 feet below Austin …. is some of the best material to tunnel through."

Additionally, large truck traffic just passing through the city could be redirected to go around the downtown area on 130.

Make Your Voice Heard

It is important to voice your opinion on the I-35 expansion during this public period, as these comments are documented for offical public record. Should this project ever end up in a courtroom, like Tx-DOT's I-45 expansion in Houston has, having this official public record documenting our thoughts would be crucial.

The deadline to submit feedback in the public engagement period is Friday, April 9th.

You can send a prewritten letter to Tx-DOT in opposition of an I-35 expansion at https://tinyurl.com/y6fu4wbk.

You can write Tx-DOT directly at https://tinyurl.com/22bk7x6m.

Additionally, follow local organizations like Reconnect Austin and Our Future 35 to stay updated & informed about the latest developments in this process.

"Lots of people live near I-35; lots of important places can be found there; lots of harm to them has already been done and would still be done by a thoughtless rebuild that leaves out what’s actually needed. That harm comes with a price tag that escalates daily." - Mike Clark-Madison

Sources

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/submit-a-comment/?fbclid=IwAR2UYkhMdK4H52lzab96v6fhe-WZTePNaUSBpG3tI7iOF_hfR326jV6CyOE

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/i35-alternatives?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR2wPYuCeLRA0m7epiqcZ9Cx3VzdEi27M0CT2Cmzm2Aou3O16BND6rDXdu8

What’s Happening Sources

https://my35capex.com/projects/i-35-capital-express-central/

http://www.my35.org/

https://my35capex.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Capital-Express-Central-Typical-Sections.pdf

https://my35capex.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/M35_CapEx-C_0015-13-388_ProjectProcess_2020_12_31.pdf

http://www.my35.org/capital-project-capital-express-central.htm

Why This is Bad Sources

https://www.kut.org/post/txdot-plans-say-goodbye-i-35-double-decker-austin

https://t4america.org/maps-tools/congestion-con/

https://archive.curbed.com/2020/3/6/21166655/highway-traffic-congestion-induced-demand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z7o3sRxA5g

https://www.texastribune.org/2019/11/08/texas-road-deaths-and-suvs-pickups-duis-pedestrians-and-cyclists/

https://www.npr.org/2017/02/15/515336658/researchers-examine-race-factor-in-car-crashes-involving-pedestrians

https://projects.statesman.com/news/economic-mobility/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-04-02/austin-leans-in-hard-to-change-txdots-mind-on-i-35/?fbclid=IwAR0z2A0eja-Qgv9RoyHkbFLxQieL1r2AN0TzQ4e3yg3wrR27s4Bmebq86uw

Updates to the Plan Sources

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/what-we-heard-from-you/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2021-04-02/austin-leans-in-hard-to-change-txdots-mind-on-i-35/?fbclid=IwAR0fD-SqJKccCSjIL9idHjbl5Cy1HV5EbRSLOya9U9rt3UGOuwkaRXaz2q0

Potential Solutions Sources

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/i35-alternatives?source=direct_link&fbclid=IwAR0rXmGABu6uMby-Bg4VvpPBLAgr-6z69L12vRQRgDkb6_UuyoovrMuwYwA 

https://www.kut.org/austin/2012-11-27/video-inside-downtown-austins-waller-creek-tunnel

Make Your Voice Heard Sources

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Harris-County-sues-to-stop-I-45-rebuild-plans-by-16018449.php

https://tinyurl.com/y6fu4wbk

https://tinyurl.com/22bk7x6m.

https://www.facebook.com/ReconnectAustin

https://www.ourfuture35.org/

Election Day: Saturday, May 1

Early Voting: Friday, April 19 - Saturday, April 27

Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, April 1

Check Your Voter Info & Register at votetravis.com

What is Prop B?

In May 2021, Austin voters will decide on whether or not to reinstate The Camping Ban, which would make it illegal to camp in public spaces, to sit/lie down in some outdoor spaces, and to panhandle at night.

The language is:

“Shall an ordinance be adopted that would create a criminal offense and a penalty for sitting or lying down on a public sidewalk or sleeping outdoors in and near the Downtown area and the area around the University of Texas campus; create a criminal offense and penalty for solicitation, defined as requesting money or another thing of value, at specific hours and locations or for solicitation in a public area that is deemed aggressive in manner; create a criminal offense and penalty for camping in any public area not designated by the Parks and Recreation Department?”

This essentially means it would be a criminal offense to camp, sleep/lie down, and/or panhandle in certain places and times in Austin.

For many of our unhoused neighbors, there are simply no options for shelter or income in the city and many are forced to live on the street.

With nowhere else to go and no hopes of other income, Prop B would make it illegal to be a person experiencing homelessness in large parts of the city.

Affected Areas

Prop B would make it a criminal offense to camp in public, sit/lie in public, and panhandle at night in the areas within the red square. 

Via KUT

This area runs from 38th street south to Cesar Chavez and from N. Lamar east to I-35. It also goes around Oakwood Cemetary, and to Chicon street from E. 7th Street to E. Cesar Chavez. 

History of the Camping Ban

note: it has been fairly difficult to dig up old articles to research and provide context. this history is a summary of what I could find but isn’t a full or complete telling of events. 

The Camping Ban was first instated on January 25th, 1996. This ordinance made it class C misdemeanor to sleep, store personal belongings, cook, or start fires in public areas. There were an estimated 6,000 houseless people on the streets in 1996 with a population of 548,000. (For context, there were an estimated 2,506 houseless people in Austin in 2020 with a population of 1,000,000.) Additionally, there was only one free houseless facility at this time, with just 128 beds and strict limitations on using the facility. ARCH didn’t open until 2004.

Mayor Bruce Todd first introduced the ordinance and it eventually passed with a 4-1 vote, with one council member abstaining and one council member absent. The council member who voted against the measure was Jackie Goodman, who stayed firm in this position throughout all her years on council. As were the rules, council had to pass this ordinance three times before it became law, January 25th, 1995 being the third time. 

In talks about whether or not to pass the measure, council member Gus Garcia stated in 1995 that “This ordinance is probably not the answer. This ordinance is not going to fix the problem. But we have to begin somewhere.” 

When it was officially passed in 1996, it was met with a 200 person protest. The loudest people in opposition of the ban were the houseless, the police, and local activists. Many people stated it was unconstitutional, a violation of houseless people’s rights, and unethical to displace people without somewhere for them to go.

Originally, the Austin Police opposed the ban because they didn't have the resources to enforce it and didn’t see it as a solution to the fundamental issue of houselessness. Lieutenant Michael Urubeck who was in charge of enforcing the ban stated “it’s not going to work in the long run.”  

Additionally, The Downtown Austin Alliance, who represented downtown businesses and supported the ordinance, boldly acknowledged in 1997 that "The purpose of the ordinance was to protect our public properties and as a preventative measure against public disorder, not the separate issue of the homeless." - Downtown Austin Alliance 1997

When it was first passed, city council also called for a review on it’s effectiveness. In 1997, they found that the camping ban "provided a tool for immediate relief of unwanted situations, but has failed to provide an effective deterrent or any permanent solution to the transient issue." (they called people experiencing homelessness “transients” back then.)

In 1997, there’s a couple articles showing that city council had plans to rescind the camping ban that year, however I was unable to find what actually happened after their plans. I skimmed through the July & August council meeting minutes but have not been able to find anything about repealing the ban. I think it’s safe to say that while talks were promising, the city elected to keep the ban. Additionally, there was lots of talks of building “homeless campuses” at this time but I have been unable to find whether or not they were actually built. Also I want to note that these campuses were often seen as separative and ways to push the houseless community somewhere else, aka not solutions. 

Anyways...

Since then, talks of repealing the camping ban have arisen time and time again, each time following very similar arguments: 

1. The camping ban doesn’t work in medicating the issue of houselessness in Austin 

2. The camping ban is morally bankrupt and borderline unconstitutional without giving people a place to go

3. The camping ban seeks to protect property, not people

Among advocates for rescinding the camping ban is Richard Troxell, who has been fiercely and loudly against the camping ban since the beginning in 1995. He regularly attended council meetings for years on end to speak up about it and has continued advocating against it to this day.

Why are we talking about this 27 years later?

Despite wish-washy support for the ban in it's inception in the 90s, the ban remained in place from 1996-2019. In July 2019, City Council voted 9-2 to repeal the camping ban with council members Alison Alter (D10) and Kathie Tovo (D9) voting against. Basically, this allowed unhoused people to legally sleep in public again.

Three months later in October 2019, city council voted to partially reinstate the camping ban. This measure further defined where camping would not be allowed, like within 15 feet of a residence or business or near ARCH/other shelters. With this partial ban, camping is still allowed outside of those areas.

In August 2020, an organization called Save Austin Now led by Travis County GOP chair Matt Mackowiak, submitted a petition to allow the public to vote to reinstate the camping ban. Initially, it was thrown out by the city clerk because it lacked the necessary number of signatures to be put on the ballot. 20,000 signatures are needed. They submitted 24,598 signatures (the lowest number of any recently filed citizen-led petition), but only 19,122 could be verified so the petition was thrown out.

However, in February 2021, Save Austin Now tried again and received the required 20,000 signatures to put the ban on the ballot. It has been widely stated that canvassers for Save Austin Now collected signatures using purposefully vague language, stating that their petition was one to "help the homeless" without providing signers the truthful information that the petition sought to reinstate the camping ban. Hundreds of signers were able to have their signatures removed after hearing about the manipulative cavassing, but not enough to keep the ban from the ballot.

Public Safety

Supporters of the camping ban say the ban is needed to protect public safety. How are the camping ban and public safety related?

People who argue the camping ban is needed for public safety seem to forget that unhoused people are part of the public. When you deny people shelter, even if that shelter is just a tent, you immediately endanger those people. They are more susceptible to theft, violence, and danger in general. Providing a safe environment for the unhoused is public safety.

Despite the repeal of the camping ban in 2019, the rate of violent crimes where the perpetrator was unhoused and the victim was housed decreased by 1% in 2019.

In fact, the rate of violent crimes where the perpetrator was housed and the victim was unhoused rose 7% in 2019, suggesting that it would be more likely for a housed citizen of Austin to commit violence against an unhoused person of Austin, and not the other way around.

There is no available data that shows that banning camping in public keeps the public safer.

“It looks like the least likely thing to happen with any violent crime involving a homeless individual is that it would be involving someone who is not homeless.” - Greg McCormack, Executive Director of Front Steps

Prop B Creates Criminal Records

Between 2016 and 2018, APD issued more than 10,000 citations to unhoused people who violated the camping ban. Most of these citations were issued for sitting or lying on a public sidewalk or outdoors. These citations cost up to $500. The average cost was about $160.

As can be expected, many unhoused people were unable to pay these fines. About 6 in every 10 citations issued resulted in arrest warrants after people failed to pay their fines in court.

With an arrest warrant on your record, it is measurably more difficult to qualify for essential services like housing and employment. Prop B would make the homelessness problem in Austin worse.

"Having tickets, arrests and warrants associated with these ordinances, sets people back from the goal of escaping homelessness; it prevents them from getting jobs and housing, and the vast majority of folks are trying to get out of homelessness. They are trying to get services, housing and employment so that they can get a roof over their head and restart their lives." - Chris Harris, Just Liberty

Why You Should Vote No on Prop B

1. Prop B criminalizes poverty.

Sitting, panhandling, and camping in public are often an unavoidable realities for those experiencing extreme poverty. To be criminalized for  not having a house to sleep in is morally bankrupt. No one should be forced to carry a criminal record just because they're poor. 

2. Prop B does not offer solutions to homelessness.

By making it illegal to camp in certain areas, the camping ban seeks to push the unhoused population out of main city areas without providing anywhere for them to go, or any actionable solution for the homelessness problem as a whole. The broader issues of inequality and poverty are not addressed in Prop B, and voting yes would only further endanger people experiencing homelessness.

3. Prop B would make it more difficult to escape poverty.

It is much more difficult to qualify for housing and employment opportunities when one has a criminal record. By criminalizing homelessness, unhoused people are more likely to get criminal records that would prevent them from accessing essential resources that are vital to transition from homelessness thus feeding the cycle that seeks to keep poor people poor.

Shelter beds in Austin: 812 Unhoused people in Austin: 2,500

The Housing Authority of The City of Austin waitlist for public housing has been closed since 2018. When it's open, the wait is 5-10 years.

The Housing Authority of The City of Austin waitlists for public housing at two other sites have also been closed since 2019 and 2020 and also have excessively long wait times.

The average wait time for housing through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is more than 3 years.

experiencing homelessness is not a crime. vote no on prop b.

research is work! buy me a coffee?

Sources:

votetravis.com

What is Prop B? Source

https://www.austintexas.gov/news/council-orders-elections-eight-propositions-may-1-2021

Affected Areas Sources

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/1459657/?utm_source=showcase&utm_campaign=visualisation/1459657

https://www.kut.org/austin/2021-02-04/the-city-clerk-has-okd-save-austin-nows-petition-to-reinstate-homelessness-bans-teeing-up-a-may-referendum

History of the Camping Ban Sources

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/1996-02-16/530585/

https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Planning/Demographics/population_history_pub.pdf

https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2020/05/austin-sees-10-year-high-in-the-number-of-people-experiencing-homelessness/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20people%20experiencing%20homelessness%20in%20Austin%20hit%20a,25.

https://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/01-15-20-austin-population-explode-past-1-million-by-summer-2020/

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/1997-07-04/529209/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=59736855&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjM1NzAyNDMwMCwiaWF0IjoxNjEzMDg2NTk4LCJleHAiOjE2MTMxNzI5OTh9.kR_Q35oymBXM41oMWIs2zRUjL-V0i6E0NY98ubRiWnw

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/1997/06/16/story1.html

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/1997-07-04/529210/

http://www.austintexas.gov/content/archive-council-meetings-held-1997

Why are we talking about this 27 years later? Sources

https://www.statesman.com/news/20190621/city-council-rescinds-measures-that-critics-say-criminalize-homelessness

https://www.kut.org/austin/2019-10-29/as-austin-rolls-out-its-revised-camping-and-resting-bans-the-future-is-uncertain

https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2020-08-05/save-austin-now-petition-to-reinstate-camping-ban-fails/

https://www.kut.org/austin/2021-02-04/the-city-clerk-has-okd-save-austin-nows-petition-to-reinstate-homelessness-bans-teeing-up-a-may-referendum

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/where-the-push-for-a-new-austin-homeless-shelter-stands-now/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CHowever%2C%20Austin%20currently%20only%20has,related%20to%20homelessness%20over%202019.

https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Housing-Authority-of-the-City-of-Austin/TX001#wl108037

https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Texas-Department-of-Housing-and-Community-Affairs/TX901

Public Safety Source

https://www.statesman.com/news/20200209/violent-crimes-with-homeless-suspects-victims-went-up-in-2019-data-show

Prop B Creates Criminal Records Sources

https://www.kut.org/austin/2019-06-20/most-tickets-for-homelessness-result-in-arrest-warrants-that-can-make-finding-housing-hard

https://www.kut.org/austin/2015-10-05/no-sit-no-lie-citations-handed-out-by-the-thousands-and-most-go-unpaid

Vote No Sources

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/where-the-push-for-a-new-austin-homeless-shelter-stands-now/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CHowever%2C%20Austin%20currently%20only%20has,related%20to%20homelessness%20over%202019.

https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Housing-Authority-of-the-City-of-Austin/TX001#wl108037

https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-authority/Texas/Texas-Department-of-Housing-and-Community-Affairs/TX901

Additional Reading:

Mapping Out a Solution: Austin’s Homeless Task Force 

Below is a deep dive into Austin’s gerrymandering problem. It includes defining gerrymandering, a look into how Austin’s congressional districts are drawn, some actions we can take to make this drawing more fair, and more. 

Note: while gerrymandering can occur in any electoral district, this post focuses on US congressional districts in Austin, Texas. 

The Redistricting Process

To best understand gerrymandering, it's important to understand the redistricting process. 

Every part of the country is divided into different congressional districts. Each district is represented by one congressperson. Redistricting is the process of drawing these districts so that each congressperson represents a relatively equal amount of people.

In every year ending with a zero, the US Census Bureau aims to count every person in the country or every American citizen, depending on the party in power. (Trump did not want to count undocumented folks. Biden will.)

This data is then used in reapportion, where it is decided how many congressional seats/districts each state receives based on population. Typically, the reapportion report is delivered by the US Census Bureau on the last day of the year. This year it is expected by April 30th. This year, Texas is expected to gain three seats. California is expected to lose one.

Next, the US Census Bureau releases redistricting data to the states. Typically this happens for April of the next year, but this year it will happen before September 30th. States then utilize different methods to redraw district lines.

Who redraws the lines depends on the state. While 21 states currently utilize some sort of nonpartisan redistricting committee, in Texas, the state legislature is in charge of redrawing the lines. The current Texas redistricting committee includes 10 republicans and 7 democrats.

"Redistricting is like an election in reverse. It's a great event. Usually the voters get to pick the politicians. In redistricting, the politicians get to pick the voters." - Thomas Hofeller, Redistricting Chair of the Republican National Committee

What is gerrymandering?

"The practice of dividing or arranging a territorial unit into election districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage in elections" - Merriam-Webster Definition

Gerrymandering refers to when electoral districts are drawn to favor one group of people over another. This often means that districts are drawn counterintuitively and in strange shapes so that like-minded voters are separated into one district instead of spread out over multiple districts. Because these voters end up in the same district, they are only able to win that one district instead of the multiple districts they could win if the districts were drawn fairly. 

The word "gerrymandering" is named after Elbridge Gerry. (pronounced Gary.) While he was governor of Massachusetts in 1812, he helped create a partisan district of Boston that resembled a salamander. This led to the district electing three Democratic Republicans into historically Federalist seats that same year. While this wasn't the first time the US experienced gerrymandering, this was the first time a name stuck to the practice.

salamander district, via vox/boston centinel 1812

Today, gerrymandered districts play a massive role in keeping political parties in power. While both democrats and republicans are guilty of gerrymandering, the majority of gerrymandered districts are drawn by republicans. In 2010, Republicans launched "REDMAP" which utilized software to strategically redistrict in favor of republicans. This led them to retain control of the US house by 33 seats, even though democrats had a one million voter majority. Additionally, AP found almost four times as many republican skewed states than democrat in 2016. An AP analysis indicated that Republicans won 16 more congressional seats in 2018 because of gerrymandering than they would have with fairly drawn districts.

"When the representatives are drawing their constituencies in a way that allows them to choose their constituents, you've reversed the dynamic quite fundamentally." - John Akred

Gerrymandering Strategies

There are many tactics used in gerrymandering districts, but the two main ones are cracking and packing. Note: there are even *more* methods of gerrymandering than those included on this list. 

Cracking - Cracking is when voters of the opposing party are "cracked" or split into many different districts so their voting power is diluted across many districts.

Packing - Packing is when all voters of the opposing party are "packed" into one district to reduce their voting power in other districts.

Kidnapping - Kidnapping is when an incumbent's home address is moved to a different district making reelection more difficult.

Incumbent Protection - Incumbent Protection is when redistricters use any of the above strategies or others to create districts that favor the incumbent over the opponent.

Additionally, there are two main kinds of gerrymandering: racial and partisan.

Racial - Racial gerrymandering seeks to disempower voters of a race or races of people. Racial gerrymandering is illegal but still frequent throughout the country.

Partisan - Partisan gerrymandering seeks to disempower voters of one political party. In many cases, partisan gerrymandering is racial gerrymandering.

What does it look like?

While gerrymandering can occur in any electoral districts, this post is focused on US congressional districts in Austin, Texas. 

Here’s what the six congressional districts in Austin look like: 

via The Austin Chronicle

A Closer Look at Austin’s Districts 

Despite Austin being a heavily blue-voting city, five of the six congressional districts are represented by Republicans. This is one reason why Austin has been identified as one of the worst cases of gerrymandering in the country.

Austin is mostly gerrymandered using the "cracking" method. Austin's blue voters have been spread out among multiple districts, all of which include large swaths of country towns. For example, district 25 travels from Austin all the way to Fort Worth, district 17 travels beyond Waco, and district 10 touches Houston. By including hundreds of small Texas towns into Austin's congressional districts, the firmly red voters in the country outweigh the blue city voters. This design is intentional, and is slated to get much worse this year unless we receive federal protection.

district 10 (michael mccaul-r)

57% caucasian

26% hispanic

10% black

5% asian

.6% indigenous

district 17 (pete sessions-r)

57% caucasian

26% hispanic

13% black

5% asian

.5% indigenous

district 21 (chip roy-r)

62% caucasian

30% hispanic

4% black

4% asian

.5% indigenous

district 25 (roger williams-r)

70% caucasian

19% hispanic

8% black

3% asian

.5% indigenous

district 31 (john carter-r)

59% caucasian

24% hispanic

11% black

5% asian

.4% indigenous

district 35 (lloyd dogget-d)

26% caucasian

61% hispanic

10% black

2% asian

.5% indigenous

Additionally, district 35 is packed. Hispanic voters are grouped together from East Austin to San Antonio so that their voting power is isolated to only one district instead of many districts.

You can view an interactive district drawing map here.

Why this is Bad

Gerrymandering is a racist tool that politicians use to strip minority voters of their political power. If we do not stop gerrymandering in it's tracks right now, districts will be redrawn to be even more oppressive than they are now.

Though racial gerrymandering is illegal, Texas districts still get away with it. In 2018, a seven year legal battle regarding Texas's racially gerrymandered districts (like district 35) ended because the Supreme Court rejected nearly all claims.

Districts in Texas are drawn strategically so Republicans retain power. We need a fair districting map to ever have a realistic chance of unseating republicans.

A Possible Solution

Independent Commissions - 21 states are currently using some sort of nonpartisan commission to redraw their maps. Utilizing independent commissions means districts are drawn sensibly and without favoritism for one group or another.

HR1 is an act that recently passed congress seeking to implement independent redistricting commissions for every state. Should it pass the senate, we would no longer have to trust Republican legislators to draw our district maps.

There are other possible solutions including proportional representation, using artificial intelligence, and ranked choice voting. However, independent commissions seem to be the most realistic future for Texan gerrymandering prevention at this time.

What We Can Do

1. Register ASAP to speak at the Texas Senate's public hearing on Thursday, March 11th at 9am!

The Texas Senate is having a public hearing about Austin's congressional districts on Thursday, March 11th at 9am on Zoom. This is an opportunity for the public to "share details about their local communities and information that they believe is relevant to the upcoming redistricting process." Sign up and tell Texan representatives why your community should be kept together in the redistricting process. Request and independent commission be used if possible. The Texas government canNOT be trusted to draw districts fairly.

Sign up to testify at bit.ly/2OdIgE0

Testimony Guide at fairmapstexas.org/testimony-guides

Leave a written comment at senate.texas.gov/redistrictingcomment

2. Call your senators and tell them to vote YES on HR1, the For the People Act!

The For the People Act would incorporate 800 pages of voting rights legislation. Among other things, it would guarantee mail in voting and at least 15 days of early voting for federal elections, would require states to automatically register citizens to vote, would restore voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences, and would require all states to use an independent citizen commission to draw congressional districts.

HR1 passed the US House on March 3rd. To pass the senate, all 48 democrats and the two independents would need to be joined by 10 republicans to overcome a filibuster.

Will Ted Cruz & John Cornyn vote yes on this bill? Very unlikely.

Should we let them know how we feel by blowing up their inboxes anyways? Yes.

Ted Cruz: (512) 916-5834 - email him here.

John Cornyn: (202) 224-2934 - email him here.

"Historically, gerrymandering has been used both as a racist weapon to undermine the political power of minority communities and a political weapon to ensure partisan advantage... Gerrymandering fundamentally undermines a fair and representative democracy." 

****act now. sign up to testify. call your senators. ensure a fair redistricting process.****

Additional Reading:

https://www.keranews.org/2019-04-14/texas-matters-gerrymandering-in-texas

https://www.prisonersofthecensus.org/

https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/2019/11/01/why-redistricting-important-and-why-should-you-participate-texas-democrats-republicans/4103303002/

Sources: 

The Redistricting Process Sources: 

https://indivisible.org/resource/fighting-gerrymandering-states

https://ballotpedia.org/Redistricting_in_Texas_after_the_2020_census

https://www.npr.org/2020/11/30/940116088/supreme-court-weighs-trump-plan-to-cut-undocumented-immigrants-from-census

https://www.npr.org/sections/inauguration-day-live-updates/2021/01/20/958376223/biden-to-end-trump-census-policy-ensuring-all-persons-living-in-u-s-are-counted

https://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/2019/06/28/lt-gov-patrick-announces-2021-redistricting-committee/

https://www.c-span.org/video/?165594-3/2000-redistricting-review

What is Gerrymandering? Sources:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/03/01/this-is-the-best-explanation-of-gerrymandering-you-will-ever-see/

https://www.vox.com/2014/8/5/17991968/gerrymandering-name-elbridge-gerry

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/REDMAP

https://www.businessinsider.com/partisan-gerrymandering-has-benefited-republicans-more-than-democrats-2017-6

https://apnews.com/article/9fd72a4c1c5742aead977ee27815d776

https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2017-07-28/big-data-and-the-gerrymandering-of-america

Gerrymandering Strategies Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering#:~:text=Two%20principal%20tactics%20are%20used,voting%20power%20in%20other%20districts). 

https://www.policymap.com/2017/08/a-deeper-look-at-gerrymandering/

https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/7/24/16012440/racial-partisan-gerrymandering-redistricting-supreme-court-video

What Does it Look Like? Source:

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2018-02-09/u-s-congress/

A Closer Look at Austin’s Districts Sources:

https://thefulcrum.us/worst-gerrymandering-districts-example/7-austin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_10th_congressional_district

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_17th_congressional_district

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_21st_congressional_district

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_25th_congressional_district

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_31st_congressional_district

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas%27s_35th_congressional_district

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-maps/texas/

Why this is Bad Sources:

https://indivisible.org/resource/fighting-gerrymandering-states

https://newrepublic.com/article/149357/texas-republicans-got-away-racially-discriminatory-electoral-map

https://www.caller.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/27/texas-republicans-democrats-gerrymandering-legislative-districts-voter-suppression/4545917002/

A Possible Solution Sources:

https://apnews.com/article/4d2e2aea7e224549af61699e51c955dd

https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&context=vlr

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1/text

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/05/hr1-bill-what-is-it/

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/11/16453512/gerrymandering-proportional-representation

https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/04/ai-drawn-voting-districts-could-help-stamp-out-gerrymandering/

https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/473788-replacing-winner-takes-all-system-would-end-gerrymandering

What We Can Do Sources:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItde6gpjMvH9Mn_8FA26GFQaVkPVxEzQNL

fairmapstexas.org/testimony-guides

senate.texas.gov/redistrictingcomment

https://www.vox.com/2021/3/3/22309123/house-democrats-pass-voting-rights-bill-hr1

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/five-ways-hr-1-would-transform-redistricting

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-house/u-s-house-passes-sweeping-election-bill-senate-prospects-unclear-idUSKCN2AV2JM

https://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=form&id=16