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The upcoming May 1 special election provides Austinites with an opportunity to fundamentally change the structure of city government. To some, these changes are revolutionary advances toward a more robust local democracy; to others, they threaten to cause a catastrophic collapse of Austin's current progressive consensus. Read more here.
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As Texas faced record-low temperatures and snow and ice made roads impassable, the state's electric grid operator lost control of the power supply, leaving millions without access to electricity. Please click here for a list of resources, including shelter, food, and water, if you are needing support.
On Tuesday, Austin City Council heard directly from taxpayers about a proposed change in government. While some worry it would give the mayor too much power, others say it would make the system more democratic. Read more here.
On Tuesday, Austin City Council agreed on ballot language for eight propositions, including camping ban. Read more here.
The slow start to the legislative session reflects the public declarations of goals from House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: There aren't any. Gov. Greg Abbott put his priorities in a State of the State address this week, but legislative leaders have been relatively quiet. Read more here.
A measure that could dramatically increase the power of the mayor could end up on the May ballot. Proponent group "Austinites for Progressive Reform" are pushing for a "strong-mayor" form of government and believe the move will create a much better democracy. Read more here.
Former director of Austin Public Health, Shannon Jones III, recently began his new duties as the Interim Assistant City Manager for Health & Environment and Culture & Lifelong Learning. Read more here.
The Texas State Conference of NAACP Units has released a comprehensive Change the World-Texas Restorative Criminal Justice Plan. This plan comprises five critical areas of action: 1) Community engagement; 2) police recruitment and training; 3) police discipline and management; 4) grand jury and trial initiatives; and 5) legislative action. Read more here.
The local NAACP has filed a complaint with the UIL following Friday's state semifinal game between the Lindale Eagles and the Austin LBJ Jaguars. The Eagles won the game 31-28, but the NAACP said it was only because of unfair officiating. Read more here.
The pandemic has disproportionately affected minorities, placing them at higher risk of severe illness and death and forcing them to make “the unfortunate choice required between voting and minimizing their risk” of exposure under Abbott’s poll exemption, Judge Jason Pulliam wrote. According to Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP, the NAACP has received reports of mask-less poll-watchers using this to intimidate minority voters at the polls. Read more here.
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For frequent updates, visit the Facebook page of Austin NAACP President Nelson Linder!
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