The best ideas for comprehensive immigration reform come from the immigrants themselves. Unfortunately, few are listening. How else do we explain the recent proposals announced by President Obama and the Senate? Both the White House and a coalition of key Senators prioritize doubling down on enforcement, and advocate increased surveillance and militarization of the US-Mexico [...]
The process of drawing the single member districts that Austinites voted for last November is underway, and one spot on the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is reserved for a student. We certainly need a strong student voice on the commission that will draw the new city council districts so that students are represented on city [...]
When should a politician’s personal life matter to the public? My hometown is famous for its whooping cranes, vibrant art community and fish. Northerners known as “winter Texans” or “snowbirds” migrate down to Rockport for its pleasant beaches and warm climate. Essentially, it is the Charm of the Texas Coast. Unfortunately, my cozy community has [...]
It seems Austin city politics has been experiencing a flurry of firsts and unprecedented actions this past year. The most recent example is last night’s City Council budget meeting in which Mayor Lee Leffingwell chose to fight a city-wide budget he believed carried too heavy a burden on tax-payers. Leffignwell was the sole “nay” vote [...]
It was a well-kept secret among my fellow Democrats that President Barack Obama will cede our sovereignty to the United Nations once re-elected… that is until Lubbock County Judge Tom Head caught wind of it. Conservative Judge Head is now asking for a tax increase from the good people of Lubbock in order to increase pay [...]