The Fight for Geographic Representation: Mark Your Calendars!
TheAustinBulldog.org constructed maps that pinpoint the residential location of every mayor and council member elected over the last four decades. It will tell you all you need to know about why citizen organizations, from across the spectrum, are coming together to push for a public vote on geographic representation. Read it here, share it, and consider a matching fund donation to the feisty (and hungry!) Bulldog to help counter the Statesman’s on-going efforts to stop us.
Meanwhile…please plan to join us at our next meeting of ChangeAustin.org.
What Citizens Must Do As the City Budget Hearings Begin Soon!
Come Find out!
Monday, August 15th, 6:30 to 8 pm
Manchaca Library, 5500 Manchaca (@Stassney)
Guest Speaker: Bill Oakey
Bill is one of the most effective citizen activists in Texas who got the Texas legislature to enact two bills into law. One was the over-65 freeze on school property taxes. The other was a “truth in taxation” law, which reformed the guidelines for public hearing notices on property taxes published by all statewide taxing entities. Currently, Bill is working on plans to address out-of-control property tax and utility rate increases in the Austin area.
For more information call us at 535-0989 or email us at Contact@ChangeAustin.org
Sign the Petition/Voter Pledge – No Abusive Formula 1 Subsidies!
Sign the Petition/Voter Pledge to Abusive F1 Subsidies!
The Austin City Council vote on the F1 subsidy was postponed to next Wednesday! Even if the Austin City Council manages to keep city money out of the deal (we doubt it), their vote will still trigger STATE tax dollars — at least $250 million. Please call the Council at 974-2000 on Monday or Tuesday and simply ask them to vote NO on F1. Or you can email them all here: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/groupemail.htm. And, don’t forget to ask friends and family to do the same. Thank you Austin!
PS You might watch this video to learn how the Comptroller cooked the books on F1.
No time to rest on Tovo victory, Contact the council NOW – postpone the F1 vote!
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City Hall’s Rigged
You thought the political game at City Hall was rigged, right?
Respected investigative journalist, Ken Martin, at the Austin Bulldog, has exposed the Austin City Council’s behind-closed-door meetings that have taken place (and possible violations of the Open Meetings Act) since Kirk Watson took the helm in 1997. The Statesman has just confirmed that the County Attorney is now investigating. Read it and don’t just weep – read the rest of this message and take action!
Thanks to all the folks who packed it to the Alamo Drafthouse January 24th to see the film, Gerrymandering, including our somewhat “strange bedfellows” (Democrats, Republicans and those pesky independents) below who are on a shared quest for open government and fair representation.
Action Request!
1. Contact your state legislators (Texas House & Senate) now! Ask them to pass Sen. Wentworth’s bill, SB 380 that would simply require a November 2011 vote of Austinites on a fair representation plan. (see bill below). Go here to find your legislators.
2. Contact Mayor Lee Leffingwell to tell him you want to vote on a fair representation plan this year — no foot dragging for a 2012 ballot. (If he wants to put some other real reforms on the ballot he has ample time to do that for November 2011.)
3. Come to our next meeting – Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 pm. The location is TBA. Please reply to this message and let us know you’re coming – we’ll make sure to have a room large enough.
Share this message with your Austin voting friends here. Stay tuned for more punches at and from City Hall!
Austin Preservationist, Rick Harden, reluctantly blows whistle
Austin Preservationist, Rick Harden, reluctantly blows whistle on historic property program.
Our Radio Ad-Show These Dudes the Door!
Check out our radio spot-Show These Dudes the Door!
Two generous donors have pledged a total of $2500 to get this ad on KLBJ,
but only if you help us raise the additional $2500.
In other words, they will match whatever you give dollar for dollar.
Can’t contribute money, but wanna help?
We need help now through May 9th answering our busy phones.
Call us or email us right away!
Early Voting is now through next Tuesday, May 5th! (polls here)
Volunteers Needed Now thru election day, May 9th! (polls here)
* get some fliers and give ‘em out (see below or we’ll get you copies)
* come to our office and help answer the phones
* and please and invite folks to our Facebook page!
Watch the videos & Vote the Entire ChangeAustin.org Slate!
Carole Keeton Strayhorn for Mayor
Perla Cavazos, Place 1
Mike Martinez, Place 2
Bill Spelman, Place 5
Sam Osemene, Place 6
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