Local government is important. It’s the branch of government that affects your life the most, and yet, many of us can barely remember the name of our mayor or City Council member. That’s why we break it all down for you in a way that’s clear, easy-to-understand, and even a little fun. No PhD in poli sci needed!
New to The Austin Common? Here’s two ways we suggest learning more about local government:
#1 – Get yourself a copy of “A Beginner’s Guide To Local Government: Austin Edition.”
#2 – Start reading our Civics 101 news stories, conveniently laid out for you below.
Summary There are four candidates running to represent District 2 (southeast Austin) on City Council. Action Box Vote! Vote! Vote! And don’t forget to vote in these important local races as well. Live in southeast Austin? Concerned about gentrification and displacement? Passionate about social justice?
In this episode of The Austin Common Radio Hour, host Amy Stansbury goes over the basics of Prop A, which, if approved by voters in November, could bring a $7.1 billion transit system to Austin. We also take a deep dive into Austin’s transportation history
In the first-ever episode of The Austin Common Radio Hour, host Amy Stansbury talks about why voting in local elections is so important, kicking off a series of election-themed episodes to get you prepped for November! Guests include : Austin City Council Member Greg
Summary There are several important races on the local ballot this year, including 5 City Council seats and 2 propositions that could impact the future of transportation in Austin. Action Box Vote! Vote! Vote! And don’t forget to vote in these important local races as
Summary With a global pandemic still raging and a long list of problems at the US Postal Service, concerns over voting by mail in the November election are high. Action Box Vote! Vote! Vote! Make a plan now and decide if you’re going to vote
Summary The City of Austin Office of Sustainability has just released a draft of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which lays out a roadmap for Austin to reduce its emissions by 52% by 2030. Action Box Look through the new plan and then share your
Summary Every 10 years, the US government conducts a census to get an accurate count of everyone living within our borders. But with only a month to go before the deadline, Austin’s census response rate is still pretty low. Action Box Take the census… and
Summary Every 10 years, Austin’s City Council districts are redrawn by an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Applications for new members are being accepted until Sept. 30th. Action Box Learn more about the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and consider applying! Want to impact Austin politics for
Summary Austin City Council recently voted to put an active transportation bond on the ballot, known as Prop B. Action Box Continue to educate yourself on all of the propositions that will be on the ballot in November… and don’t forget to vote! Traffic. It’s
Summary Austin City Council recently approved the city’s 2020-2021 budget after months of debate over police spending. Action Box Even though the budget is finalized, there’s still a lot of work to be done, so stay engaged! Follow your favorite nonprofit/ advocacy organization, as well
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the city’s new budget (and changes to the future of the Austin Police Department), but did you know that Council made another big decision last week? At their most recent meeting, Council officially voted to put Project
On Wednesday night, Austin Mayor Steve Adler delivered his annual State of the City Address, discussing his major priorities & goals for the city. Didn’t have a chance to watch? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our handy little guide. You can also watch