Author Archives: JGA

Council Grades 2015

Posted on December 9, 2015 by JGA

How did Council do this year? A review of their policy-making. Priorities word cloud from MAPA Summer survey

Posted in Energy, Fiscal, Housing, Public Safety, Transit, Transportation | Comments Off on Council Grades 2015

Judging the Courthouse

Posted on September 25, 2015 by JGA

The pros & cons of the proposed Civil & Family Courthouse.

Posted in Fiscal, Travis County | Comments Off on Judging the Courthouse

Hailing Van Eenoo – Part 2

Posted on September 14, 2015 by JGA

The City’s Deputy CFO responds to my suggestions for improving budget presentations.

Posted in Fiscal | Comments Off on Hailing Van Eenoo – Part 2

Hailing Van Eenoo

Posted on September 11, 2015 by JGA

My letter to the City’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer requesting changes to budget presentations. An example: this much-reported chart from the City budget office doesn’t include sales tax impacts.

Posted in Fiscal | Comments Off on Hailing Van Eenoo

City Budget Day 2015

Posted on September 10, 2015 by JGA

The most important policy themes going into the adoption of the new City budget. The City’s general fund spending has increased faster than resident income.

Posted in Fiscal | Comments Off on City Budget Day 2015

Police Ratio

Posted on August 25, 2015 by JGA

The proposed 2015-2016 City of Austin budget increases the number of sworn police officers per capita.

Posted in Fiscal, Public Safety | Comments Off on Police Ratio

Better Budget

Posted on August 20, 2015 by JGA

A budget proposal that lowers new taxes while enhancing affordability and equity.

Posted in Fiscal | Comments Off on Better Budget

Patrolling Police Spending

Posted on August 19, 2015 by JGA

The study justifying substantial increases in Austin’s police staffing doesn’t present any evidence that its recommendations are the most effective way to reduce crime. Public safety has grown dramatically as a share of total City government spending. The shift happened between … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiscal, Public Safety | Comments Off on Patrolling Police Spending

From the East to the West

Posted on July 29, 2015 by JGA

Solving the involuntary displacement of East Austin’s long-term residents requires a new shared prosperity approach. Modernizing Austin’s housing development policies and increasing local affordable housing subsidies will ensure Central and West Austin do their fair share to meet regional housing … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Housing | Tagged | Comments Off on From the East to the West

Google Car Candidates

Posted on July 8, 2015 by JGA

What’s cooler than artificial-intelligence-powered cars? A change in Austin politics that can reap their benefits. “I can drive myself around Austin. But I can’t register to vote.”

Posted in Transportation | Tagged | Comments Off on Google Car Candidates