Texas Politics & Government: Ideas and Institutions

 On May 1, 2021, Austin residents will vote on eight propositions, many of which will alter the Austin City Charter. Probably the most contentious issue involves reinstating a camping ban in Austin, which would make camping in public spaces a class "C" misdemeanor. The only penalty is a fine; however, since homeless persons cannot pay the fine, a warrant for the person's arrest will be issued. It does nothing to solve the homeless situation in Austin.  Many of the issues deal with changing the Austin City Charter. The most significant change would change the form of municipal governance in Austin from the Council-Manager form to a Strong Mayor-Council form. The justification for this proposition is to make the operation of municipal government in Austin more accountable to the residents. Another proposition moves the mayoral election from non-presidential general election years to presidential general election years. The mayor would still serve a four-year term. However, ...

At today's meeting of the Austin ICRC, the Austin Auditor's Office explained that there was a glitch in the selection process for the commission. The result was five applicants for the commission being deemed unqualified when the five were actually qualified. In addition, five applicants who were not qualified were deemed qualified. So ten applicants were not categorized correctly by the Austin Auditor's Office. Since one of the applicants who was not qualified was selected  in the March meeting by the eight commissioners who were selected randomly, the commission was required to select a replacement. In addition, another applicant selected for the commission was not qualified, but the Auditor's Office, after consulting with Austin's Legal Office, decided that the applicant would need to be replaced by the thirteen commissioners at the next meeting. The commission debated the possible replacements among the 60 most qualified applicants and chose Salina R. Yee, who r...