Legislators 'aim to disrupt' bloated Austin subway, rail plan

After estimates that a new rail system approved by voters is already 40% over budget, and news continues to surface of how it would destroy businesses and snarl traffic, Texas legislators may soon be stepping in.

As the bill-filing deadline approaches, multiple bills have been submitted related to Project Connect, which would provide for five new rail lines (one of which would be a controversial subway crossing the lake and cutting into pedestrian business corridors), priority signaling for mass transportation, new routes to and from expanded park-and-ride sites, improved payment options, and $300,000 in "anti-displacement" funding.

Not just residents with proverbial back yards but historic businesses have cried foul at how the plan would radically change life in Austin and destroy many amenities. Now reporters are tweeting that several bills filed recently would "disrupt Project Connect" (and this after former Mayor Steve Adler said during one of his final interviews as mayor that his homelessness policies were designed to cause a "disruption" -- keep an ear out for this word).

Second anniversary of Candlewood pushback met with several surprises, announcements

Security fence around the former Candlewood Suites.

Wednesday marked the second year since Pecan Park Boulevard neighbors and business owners first read news of the city of Austin's planned $9-15M conversion of a Candlewood Suites hotel into permanent homeless housing and started banding together to stop it from happening.

MOVE Candlewood, the organization leading the fight now entering their third year, issued a press release and a year-in-review. We include that below. But this week featured quite a bit of other announcements from the homelessness solutions front -- with plenty of that activity on and surrounding the anniversary. Here's the summary:

BREAKING: Elections law violation allegations may trail exiting Austin Mayor

The new year may have originally portended a tan and rested Steve Adler, who did not seek re-election to a third term as Austin mayor. But if elections law violation allegations stick, he might find himself immediately back to work fending off charges.

Local attorney and former Travis County Judge Bill Aleshire took to Twitter early this evening to announce: 

"On behalf of Mackenzie Kelly & Linda Guerrero, I filed a criminal complaint against Steve Adler today because of this press conference using city ATXN staff, equipment & website endorsing [Zo] Qadri & [José] Velásquez https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/190448 Can’t use public funds for political advertising."

Kelly is Council member for Austin's District 6, elected in 2020. Guerrero was recently a runoff candidate for District 9, with Qadri as the victor. Velásquez won the runoff election to District 3 on the Council. The new Council and Mayor are set to be sworn-in Friday.

The Tracker obtained copies of the complaint filings to the Texas Ethics Commission and a copy of Aleshire's correspondence with Democratic Travis County Attorney Delia Garza. View them here. Aleshire also corresponded with the city regarding the complaints.

Adler: I wrecked Austin to make homelessness 'visible' (UPDATE)

In a final ask-the-mayor interview with KTBC-TV Fox 7, outgoing Austin Mayor Steve Adler finally laid down his cards regarding the strategy behind his widely criticized homelessness policies.

Observers have for the last three years scratched their heads over Adler's apparent recklessness -- the sudden removal of a public camping policy in 2019 (which he admitted did not work), a behind-the-scenes order to require Council members to identify a hotel or other building in each Council district to convert into a small shelters for millions of dollars each, and numerous other controversial decisions regarding homelessness and pubic safety in Texas's capital city. This was during a period of economic struggle, an increase in crime, and law enforcement/public safety funding cuts, leading numerous organizations to rally to "save Austin," plus action from the Texas Legislature and Governor.

Now we know why: Adler's agenda was designed to make a political point.

"... The disruption associated with our community seeing the people who were experiencing homelessness was something that had to happen." (Watch at 3:20)

TAYLOR: How to rise above manipulation of words

By Dan Taylor
Guest Contributor

I want to think out loud about how our use of words has become so twisted in the modern world.

The very definition and meaning of words are often twisted, oftentimes to fit political, cultural, or personal agendas.

We can see this on national debate stages, but more intimately, in localized manipulators that we all see in our day-to-day lives.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

The socialist political organizer Saul Alinsky has a chapter in his book “Rules for Radicals” in which he talks about the modern manipulation of words to gain political favor, but this has existed for the past 100 years (at least, but I don’t want to dive beyond that). 

Statesman endorsement process of County Judge tilted in favor of Democratic incumbent, complete with mystery quote

That the Austin American-Statesman did not endorse the Republican candidate at the top of the countywide ballot is no surprise.

Even if the Houston Chronicle broke loose of the usual gravitational pull toward Democratic candidates and endorsed Republican contender Alexandra del Moral Mealer over Democratic incumbent Lina Hidalgo, the Statesman's top editors predictably held on to their familiar ground in the left-leaning capital of a conservative state.

Yet Travis County Judge challenger Rupal Chaudhari was right to be hopeful. Change is in the air, for reasons already predicted in numerous media outlets in the weeks leading up to this election. The issues she has raised are not the typical red versus blue struggles in D.C., or under the Pink Dome for that matter. Chaudhari has outraised and from what we can tell outworked Democratic incumbent Andy Brown. She's a candidate for the people, and to that there has been little to no questions throughout the entire year of her campaign.

More than carpetbagging: GOP candidate to challenge Talarico for moving while still representing former constituents

Rep(?) James Talarico saw the writing on the wall.

Rather than running for re-election to Texas House District 52 in Williamson County, where Republicans are expected to take back some turf, he moved south a bit to presumably bluer and safer Travis County in HD 50.

The problem with that, according to the Travis County Republican Party and challenger Victor Johnson, is that Democrat Talarico continued to represent HD 52 while a newly minted resident of HD 50. The problem is, if so, that's not legal and a vacancy should have been declared. According to a press release from the Travis GOP, Johnson is set to file a legal challenge. See more on that below in a press release from this morning.  If the powers-that-be determine this complaint has legs, then it's worse than carpetbagging.

Candidates vow to replicate Southlake CRT resolution in Round Rock

A press release today from a slate of five Round Rock ISD candidates is hopeful that successes in Keller ISD, Southlake ISD, and Grapevine ISD in North Texas can be emulated in the Austin area.

Is it possible? We'll let the press release speak for itself for now.

ROUND ROCK, Texas – Legislation passed in the 2021 session paved the way for bringing common sense back to Texas classrooms.

Now a slate of conservative Round Rock ISD trustee candidates are vowing to prevent radicalized propaganda such as Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project from being taught in taxpayer-funded schools. Their plan when elected: to author a resolution similar to ones approved by Keller ISD and Southlake ISD in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The resolutions provide more oversight of library materials, insist on teaching biological male-female differences and not "gender identity," and keep boys out of girls restrooms, showers, and changing areas.

“The problem is clear: too much time and effort is being spent away from basic educational concepts like reading, writing, and math. 7 year old children do not need to solve the mysteries of gender ideology or critical theory,” said John Keagy, Place 1 candidate. “We need to get back to basics and empower our teachers to do what they do best: prepare the next generation to be successful, productive members of our community.”

 

“When public schools deviate from academic priorities and involve themselves in social and political issues, families in the community take notice and find other educational alternatives for their children,” said Christie Slape, candidate for Place 5.

 

"Parents have made their voices overwhelmingly clear in Grapevine and in schools across the country: No longer will Leftist indoctrination tactics play fast and loose with established history,” said Don Zimmerman, Place 6 candidate “Radical social experiments will not be allowed to take the place of academic priorities in our classrooms. We look forward to passing a similar resolution as soon as we are elected to finally put the spotlight back on ABCs and 1-2-3s, not CRTs and LGBTs."

The slate, consisting of Keagy, Slape, Zimmerman, Orlando Salinas (Place 3) and, Jill Farris (Place 4), will appear on the ballot on the Nov. 8 election. Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 24.

The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees election is Nov. 8. To learn more about The Fabulous Five challengers visit RoundRockOneFamily.com/candidates.

--30--

City of Austin still not listening to neighbors re: Manor Road affordable housing proposal

UPDATE: Council passes the development proposal by NHP/Capital A unanimously.

As part of the city's expansion of affordable living options, the City Council's housing corporation will vote Thursday whether to accept a proposal by NHP and Capital A Housing for a new development in a largely residential area in Northeast Austin.

Large vacant and under-utilized lots still dot the map around Manor Road in the shadow of the former Mueller Airport tower. Mueller Airport was a simple terminal until replaced by Austin Bergstrom International Airport on a former airbase east of the city in the late '90s.

Neighbors, who mostly live in newer developments in the aptly named Mueller community and a number who reside in the more-lived-in JJ Seabrook neighborhood, have gathered numerous times to discuss the various proposals for a city-owned tract at 3511 and 3515 Manor Road. The JJ Seabrook neighbors "strongly" supported Fontaine Trails, a proposal by the Foundation Communities (or FC) for multigenerational houses which they found more "neighborly," "holistic," and compatible with the geography and surrounding parks amenities. Mueller neighbors only narrowly favored the NHP/Capital A proposal titled Seabrook Square.

According to George Hindman, who lives south of the Mueller neighborhood and Manor Road in JJ Seabrook, calls the NHP/Capital A plan "fiscally irresponsible" and said it will require around $7 million in subsidies to sustain -- money that could be used to build another housing project. Nor does the NHP/Capital A proposal cater to families facing homelessness, as hoped by his neighborhood group.

Leander ISD Board President laughs after 'muzzling' departing Trustee

Bode, left, and Johnson, right.

The next round of 2022 school board elections in Central Texas got off to a confrontational start Thursday, less than two days ahead of candidate filing. 

Trustee Aaron Johnson of Leander Independent School District (west and northwest of Austin) announced at Thursday night's regularly called school board meeting he would not seek re-election after numerous terms at the same post.

Johnson asked permission to read a prepared personal privilege speech, outlining his time on Place 6 since 2011, his family's involvement and "personal sacrifices," and also including critiques of the way reading and writing is being taught at his son's campus. He was prevented by Place 1 Trustee and board President Trish Bode from finishing with "just a few paragraphs left."

Watch below (starting at around 17:40).

Zimmerman returns to ballot to avenge Round Rock ISD taxpayers, parents

Former Austin City Council member, 2020 legislature hopeful, and longtime taxpayer advocate Don Zimmerman made his next step official today via an interview on KBLJ-AM's "Mark Melynda and Ed Show."

Zimmerman filed paperwork to run for a seat on the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees.

City Runoff results hint at conservative resurgence, relevance of shoe leather politics

The results are in for Leander and Manor Municipal Runoff elections. While they're two different scenarios entirely, we can draw two lessons from them.

First, let's look at the results, which you won't find covered much in the local media:

Leander Council member Place 3 

Juan Alanis 1162 votes (37%) 

David McDonald  2910 votes (63%) 

Leander Council member Place 5 

Chris Czernek 1952 votes (62%)

Bill Louden 1193 votes (38%)

Manor Council member Place 6 (unexpired term)

Kathy White 29 votes (43%)

Deja Hill 39 votes (57%)  

'Bombshell' report: Round Rock ISD was warned not to hire, reinstate embattled superintendent

Thanks to the pressing of the Texas Attorney General's office, a March 8 report from an independent investigator the Round Rock ISD hired to look into the corruption centered around its embattled superintendent finally came to light.

Among the revelations: 

"The search firm has confirmed that if they had known about the relationship between Hafedh Azaiez and Vanessa Ruiz [Alrdich] they would not have advanced Azaiez's name forward to the RRISD Board of Trustees for consideration to the position of Superintendent."

State Bar President unlawfully holding office? Politics may be to blame according to Zimmerman

Sylvia Borunda Firth

The president of the entity responsible for the consistent practice of law in Texas is herself not legally elected.

This is according to a press release concerning a complaint to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The complaint asserted that Texas State Bar President Sylvia Borunda Firth did not receive a majority of votes, making her ineligible to serve.

Don Zimmerman, former Austin City Councilman, elected MUD district member, and taxpayer advocate, noted in the complaint the State Bar's board of directors policy manual states the "President Elect shall be elected by a vote of the majority of those members of the State Bar who voted in such election."

Your May 7, 2022, Election Guide

While we didn't get a whole lot of input this year, there are nevertheless some very important contests on this year's Texas Constitutional Amendment and Local Election ballot.

You might be wondering why we have a constitutional amendment on this year's ballot -- we normally have them each odd-numbered year after a legislative session. These two propositions were placed on the ballot to close a loophole and help catch up with inflation, so they could not wait. 

Savvy voters may also be wondering why not all school boards and cities appear. Some may be included on the November general election (e.g. gubernatorial, or midterm) ballot, while others are still on the May local election ballot. Pros and cons there.

Here they are. Voting ends 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7. And don't forget to turn back around and vote again in the May 24 Primary Runoff! More info on that coming soon.

'Purely for survival:' Musk to donate Gigafactory site for use as Travis GOP field office

Travis County Republicans may have worked out of a spacious suite on the west side of Austin during the last election cycle, but 2022 is shaping up to be the year of a bold East Austin strategy in a much bigger space.

We're talking way bigger.

This is thanks to billionaire Elon Musk's spurious offer for the county GOP to rent the interior of the new Tesla Gigafactory as 2022 elections field office -- yep, all 3.3 square miles of it, including Cybertruck truck beds after hours if meetings or county conventions go long. All for $1 a month through the election: the cost of about a third of a breakfast taco downtown.

The Gigafactory, to be temporarily rebranded as the Travis GOP Tera-Office, will be located off Toll 130 in what may as well be Bastrop if it wasn't for the taxes and regulatory hurdles. I mean, if you hit the toll road for 20 minutes you're practically in Belton. Head a little south and you're in for some serious barbecue. But it's still technically in Travis County and the Austin metro area.

How did Austin Republicans vote on issues compared to the rest of Texas?

You know those 10 questions at the end of the Republican ballot? Assuming you were one of the 6% of voters who turned out for the GOP primary here in Travis County, you would have seen 10 questions at the end of the ballot (by comparison, Democrats had a 7% turnout statewide).

While they aren't proposed laws or new planks for consideration in the party platform, they are non-binding opinion polls that show where Republican voters are on numerous issues central to party priorities.

The State Republican Executive Committee comes up with the referenda -- one of which (No. 7) was put forth by member Olga Lasher, who represents Senate District 14. She put together a handy chart to show the difference between statewide and Travis County totals. It may be that Travis County Republicans are slightly more liberal than their statewide peers. And it could be that the lower margins reflect a trend of crossover voting (e.g. liberal voters voting in the GOP primary for one reason or another). Either way, Travis County Republicans are still giving landslide approval to these critical issues, from abortion to elections reform.

'Which is it?' ask Candlewood critics: elderly facility, domestic violence shelter, or something else entirely ...

Mayor Adler: he's no Monty Hall

Perhaps the City of Austin is telling skeptical taxpayers "Let's Make a Deal" when it comes to contradictory announcements on how to use an embattled hotel property it purchased last year.

Somewhat like the famed television game show, the Austin City Council has suggested, at various times over the past year, three ways to use the former Candlewood Suites on Pecan Park Boulevard in Northwest Austin. And which one is the real plan (if any) is anyone's guess. Here they are:

• Behind Door No. 1: a general permanent supportive housing project similar to others being implemented across the city, as discussed before the purchase.
  
  
• Behind Door No. 2: a women's shelter for domestic violence victims, as announced when the property was purchased by the Austin City Council over the summer.
  
  
• And Behind Door No. 3: a shelter for the elderly, as a Feb. 3 vote to partner with non-profit Family Eldercare would suggest. 

Project Connect claims first victim: century-old campus diner Dirty Martin's

UPDATE: The restaurant is circulating a petition here.

It may have been only a matter of time in Austin's ever-changing economic climate. But the passage of a recent light rail expansion bond may have greatly accelerated the demise of one of the places that claims to be "Austin's oldest restaurant." 

Dirty Martin's Place, open since 1926 and originally known as Martin's KumBak (earning its nickname due to its earlier lack of flooring) is apparently in the way of the Orange Line of Project Connect. It has remained a hot spot for adjacent University of Texas students for the entire time, and maintains an outdoor garden area popular in the evenings.

Manager Daniel Young, via a forum dedicated to Austin's many past-and-present greasy spoons, confirmed rumors the establishment had received notice of potential eminent domain proceedings from the city:

Beto holds candlelight vigil, croons 'Lean On Me' over 1 winter storm death per Texas county

"We all have pain ..."

During the Austin leg of Beto O'Rourke's Keeping the Lights On tour, the Texas gubernatorial hopeful whipped out the latest run in the Democratic playbook:

A candlelight vigil over a small amount of deaths.

A la U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's infamous candle-lit "prayer service" marking the one-year anniversary of the 2021 Capitol break-in, O'Rourke held a memorial for the 246 estimated deaths in last year's icy blast across the Lone Star State's 254 counties.