Category Archives: Uncategorized

Kyle Keahey’s Golden Rail Memo

Posted on September 10, 2013 by JGA

Kyle Keahey is a seasoned transit consultant charged with moving the urban rail process along. Austinites for Urban Rail Action – a group I support – is hosting a chat with Mr. Keahey this Thursday. I am sure attendees will … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged project connect, transit, urban rail | Leave a comment

From data theatre to data-driven

Posted on September 9, 2013 by JGA

Austin’s policy deliberations often feature counterproductive uses of data. This practice – which I refer to as “data theatre” – aims to establish a veneer of credibility and objectivity for its purveyors by wrapping policy recommendations around charts, calculations, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged austin policy, austin politics, data-driven decision-making, open data, public value | 3 Comments

A review of the Mayor’s 2013 State of the City speech

Posted on February 6, 2013 by JGA

Mayor Leffingwell’s State of the City address featured several themes I found compelling; however, I was left wanting more policy specifics about our future direction. The Mayor embraced the concept of ‘public value’ by reiterating that wise policy must build … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

City Council checklist for Austin Public Library’s new central building

Posted on February 2, 2010 by JGA

I am a huge fan of the Austin Public Library. I am constantly surprised at the breadth of its collection and the reach of its branches. A new central building is being designed amidst a time of great upheaval in … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Suggestion Box, Uncategorized | Tagged austin, austin city council, austin public library, libraries | 8 Comments

High-speed-rail fail

Posted on February 1, 2010 by JGA

Image via Wired Magazine. From the Star-Telegram: As federal officials doled out billions of stimulus dollars last week to jump-start the nation’s high-speed-rail network, Texas picked up just a small piece of the pie. The $3.75 million that the Lone … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Fare Enough

Posted on August 19, 2009 by JGA

M1EK points us to a newish transit blog by Austinite Larry Schooler. Check it out. I know Larry from college and he is very knowledgeable about public policy and a total mensch. I am looking forward to his posts.