On the Issues

Austin teachers are not being adequately paid for the important work they do. AISD teachers make anywhere between $5,000-$15,000 less than teachers in other major Texas metropolitan areas. Austin’s primary and secondary educators have lost their retention bonuses, only to see them replaced with signing bonuses for new teachers who stay only a few years before moving to a better-paying …

Over the past five years, as one of Austin’s daily commuters on Interstate 35 and US Route 183, I’ve watched my rush-hour commute time increase from 30 minutes to an hour one way. I attempted using public transportation as an alternative, but then my commute lasted an astounding two and half hours each way. Our local government must address transportation …

Affordability is one of Austin’s most crucial concerns. Due to skyrocketing property appraisals, ever-increasing property taxes, the state’s “Robin Hood” recapture fund, and cuts by the Texas legislature to the state’s education subsidies for local governments, Austinites now pay two to ten times more in property taxes than we did just five years ago. Many of us, particularly those in …