The U. S. statesman The U. S. Department surveyed applicants for Austin’s upcoming City Council District 8 race to get their positions on some of the key issues facing the city and its district.
Here are the candidates’ responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity:
Biography: Ellis holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and worked at an environmental consulting firm before being elected to the Austin City Council in 2018. During her tenure on the Council, she served as Chair of the Mobility Committee, Senior Vice President of CAPCOG Clean Air Coalition, as a member of the Housing and Planning Committee, and as a member of the Public Safety Committee. She has been appointed to the Transportation Policy Board of the Capital Region Metropolitan Planning Organization and is a member of the Board of Directors of Central Clean Air Force of Texas.
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How can the city council reduce housing costs and make homeownership a greater opportunity for more residents?
The council is expected to allow for the structure of a greater diversity of housing sources in more spaces in the city. The plan making code wants to be cleaned up, the accumulation of site plans and permit requests, permission for greater density along corridors through easing compatibility restrictions or converting zoning. I’ve been a consistent pro-housing vote on stage. For others who already own their homes, expanding exemptions in family homes can help reduce pressure from emerging real estate values.
What would you do in the city’s homeless policies?
More progress updates for the council and the public. When in 2019 we commissioned the city manager to come up with a public area control plan, I found him guilty for not coming up with this plan. When other people started camping in the parks (which was never legal), we had several instances of identifying issues similar to non-compliance. Due to the pandemic, the dashboard is still referring to 2019 numbers. The public can’t see the daily progress of other people coming out of homelessness. Significant steps have been taken to get other people off the streets and locate them. Increased investment for the Other Ones Foundation’s Workforce First employment program, approved fee waivers for Community First Village through Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and created Clean Creeks Crew, a collaboration between ARR and Watershed Protection to paint in creeks. There are many facets to solving homelessness, including having a position to take other people, social staff to help other people get their pay back, and fitness service wishes that criminals and quotes will only make things worse. If progress isn’t shown and standards aren’t enforced, there’s a compliance issue.
More: This is the position of Austin City Council District 3 election applicants on the issues
How would you rate the quality of police facilities Austinites are getting when the police branch is dealing with a bunch of vacancies, and what can be done with those facilities?
Since the reinstatement of cadet categories with a new program, we are seeing fewer retirements and more new cadets that reflect the values of the network. I supported the reinstatement of cadet categories and worked collaboratively with the Chief of Police on the team that can help detectives solve crimes faster (license plate reader policy). Our goal is to see fewer settlements for police brutality than we have had in the last 4 years due to an increased education program, and as those vacancies are filled, reaction times will improve.
What would be Austin’s traffic/transit priorities (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc. )?
Balance competing schedules and area for assignments. Each has its own source of investment and its own supervision, but if the other entities do not communicate with each other, there will be conflicts. . . I have established relationships with the resolution makers and allocation planners of all those assignments and I need to see those assignments succeed in providing the congestion relief and greater protection for which they were designed.
What priorities do you have? What distinguishes you as a candidate?
I am pro-affordability, pro-environment, pro-choice, and work to end gun violence. I ran as a proud Democrat in 2018 and 2022 because I was transparent with District 8 voters. I have worked hard for my constituents and built strong relationships with municipal facilities because I, the government, deserve works for the other people it is mandated to serve.
For district-level candidates: what is the challenge facing your particular district and how would you face it?
Safe road. I have worked in many neighborhoods to put in place measures to calm traffic, lower speed limits, narrow lanes and lanes and signage. District 8’s wishes are generally not at the top of the list of priorities for city departments, and I have stepped up my efforts. to make significant changes to local parks, emergency reaction (bottled water distribution and new chimney/EMS stations) and neighborhood streets, motorcycle lanes, and sidewalks.
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Biography: Smith is a patent attorney and has enjoyed being an administrative patent judge. He also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and earned his law degree from the University of Houston School of Law. He has served on the City of Austin Planning Board and the Federal Legislation Committee of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
How can the council reduce the cost of housing and make homeownership a greater opportunity for more residents?
Affordability begins in the Ayuntamiento. La city of Austin can delay rising housing costs by reducing fees, processing time, and complexity related to rents and development. For existing landlords and tenants, the city can also collect ownership by reducing taxes on assets.
The city of Austin can also curb the rise in home values by providing incentives to build homes below market value. The city requires developers to come with a certain percentage of homes below market value at 60% and 80% of the median household income. . Given the existing middle circle of family income, I would recommend expanding the number of games to 40%.
Another option is to introduce asset taxes for first-time homebuyers. For example, in the first year of homeownership, a resident would only be required to pay part of the taxes on assets owed to the city. The amount owed would increase up to three-quarters of the city’s asset taxes in the current year of homeownership. All taxes would be paid in the 3rd year.
The City of Austin can also make homeownership a greater opportunity for citizens by providing flexible monetary education on the steps and situations of buying a home.
What would you do in the city’s homeless policies?
I would paint to replace the perceived challenge related to homelessness, which is that homelessness is caused by homelessness and can be solved through housing. But having painted with other homeless people for years through Mobile Loaves
Understanding homelessness in this way shifts the focus from housing to healing and recovering from trauma, family/community loss, intellectual illness, addiction, and hopelessness. A path to recovery. But unlike the city’s existing homelessness policy, other homeless people would be required to get assistance and follow a recovery path to stay in a shelter.
Unfortunately, for other homeless people who decide not to seek help or don’t want to get off the streets, the road is one of continued homelessness, the subject of city and state public camping bans. For many other homeless people, this could mean no longer living in Austin, but that’s the path they’ve chosen.
How would you rate the quality of police facilities Austinites are getting when the police branch is dealing with a bunch of vacancies, and what can be done with those facilities?
Our police officers are exceptional, but the quality of them has been particularly degraded by city council movements. Because there are fewer sworn officers, reaction times are longer, crime is higher, and traffic fatalities are at record levels due to relentless speeding. The number of staff naturally led to increased tension and demoralization of the remaining staff, which led an increasing number of staff to retire or seek employment elsewhere.
Austin wants to make public protection a priority again. Specifically, the number of police categories is doubled and 911, EMS and DSA are fully endowed. Our corps of public protection workers are provided with the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Encouraged to stay longer at work.
What would be Austin’s traffic/transit priorities (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc. )?
My traffic/transit priorities:
What priorities do you have? What distinguishes you as a candidate?
Austin wants to get his finances in order. It would begin with an independent, comprehensive audit of the city’s finances, starting with Austin Water and Austin Energy.
I would object to taxpayer handouts, such as the $330 million that will be paid for the TIRZ on the South Central Waterfront.
I would oppose non-compliance with the city’s environmental protections.
I would oppose that of a new conference center.
I the Austin Neighborhood Council’s smart governance resolution.
What I set aside:
For district-level candidates: what is the challenge facing your particular district and how would you face it?
One challenge facing District 8 in particular is one I wasn’t aware of when I applied. Many voters in District 8 complain about a lack of sufficient communication from their councilman. Phone call or email from your representative in response to your request for data or assistance. In my opinion, this is simply unacceptable.
I would deal with this factor by requiring you to respond to all emails and phone calls until the close of the next business day. I will also explore the option of keeping a box in District 8. In addition, I will host months of listening sessions in District 8.
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Biography: Hawkins has volunteered with Organizing for America, Wendy Davis Campaign and Battleground Texas. He also raised money for the National Democratic Party in 2010, the same year he enrolled at Austin Community College to earn his general education degree. He studied classical songmaking and acting and has delighted in leading a children’s church choir, running a restaurant and driving for Uber.
How can the city council reduce housing costs and make homeownership a greater opportunity for more residents?
The City Council wants to take a closer look at and eliminate unnecessary and burdensome regulations that slow down the procedure for obtaining a building permit. We also decreased prices for structures, which are significantly higher than in any other major city in Texas.
What would you do in the city’s homeless policies?
The city doesn’t actually have a homelessness policy. They have resolutions, but nothing ever changes. I will race to locate another site for some other Community First Village on the south side of Austin. We want to get other people off the streets so that we can begin to address the root of their problems. I also want to propose an increase in the number of buses in underserved and low-income neighborhoods. More routes and more buses will have a positive effect on traffic, affordability and emissions.
How would you rate the quality of police facilities Austinites are getting when the police branch is dealing with a bunch of vacancies, and what can be done with those facilities?
I came back from cadet classes. I would like a strong program to recruit from Austin’s underserved communities. I need to make sure cadets are trained to avoid over-supervision.
What would be Austin’s traffic/transit priorities (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc. )?
I’m a really sprawling building in the crusade I call, More Roads, More Buses. I oppose I-35 expansion because the expansions don’t relieve traffic and only contribute to urban sprawl.
What priorities do you have? What distinguishes you as a candidate?
One precedent I haven’t had a chance to mention is a concerted effort to tie the network together after the pandemic delayed the network. He would welcome, assist and inspire weekly open mics in District 8 and the city.
For district-level candidates: what is the challenge facing your particular district and how would you face it?
The lack of bus riders in District 8 is due to the inadequate number of buses and routes, and I need to announce the concept of more buses for the district and for the city.
Biography: Ross served in the U. S. ArmyHe studied psychology and early formative years at the University of New Mexico.
How can the city council reduce housing costs and make homeownership a greater opportunity for more residents?
Partner with developers, universities and businesses to lose homes and land. This will allow for residential structure and homeownership, and fewer advertisements and student housing.
What would you do in the city’s homeless policies?
The no-camping policy we put in place was not effective because we did not provide housing or good enough resources, such as intellectual fitness and health care.
How would you rate the quality of police facilities Austinites are getting when the police branch is dealing with a bunch of vacancies, and what can be done with those facilities?
ODA has had its challenges, but I feel like it’s getting better. Through extensive training, intellectual testing, and increased verification of the hiring process. If ODA follows the course, they will do so to achieve their goals.
What would be Austin’s traffic/transit priorities (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc. )?
Austin’s traffic priorities are expanding roadways for increased traffic. I also believe that Project Connect’s traffic formula would help eliminate traffic, accidents, and emissions.
What priorities do you have? What distinguishes you as a candidate?
As a councilman, I would like to prioritize the protection of public schools. What sets me apart is that I am concerned and political. I am a hardworking contributor in this community.
For district-level candidates: what is the challenge facing your particular district and how would you face it?
Rising housing prices, homelessness and lack of recreational and extracurricular services for young people. The way I would solve those disruptions would be by meeting with developers to build homes without compromising on quality. Enforce the camping ban while providing resources and providing recreational and safe services. .