Austin's Petition Tradition Is Up for Review

It could get a little harder to put an ordinance on a ballot

"...2012, Austin voters approved an amendment to the City Charter that lowered the signature threshold from 10% of “qualified..."

March 14, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Commission Considers Changing Ballot Petition Rules

Public hearing on proposed recommendations tonight, Feb. 8

"...The Charter Review Commission (2024 edition), met last week, Jan. 30,..."

Feb. 8, 2024 News Post by Austin Sanders

The Charter, the Devil, and the Details

Charter Revision Committee sends its recommendations to City Council

"...In a planned anticlimax, the City Council-appointed Charter Revision Committee held its final meeting last week (Feb...."

Feb. 24, 2012 News Feature by Michael King

CRC: Proposed Charter Changes

Charter Revision Committee drafts recommendations to council

"...The 2012 Charter Revision Committee is charged with more than making a..."

Dec. 23, 2011 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Charter Committee Endorses SMDs

The Charter Revision Committee votes for a 10-1 district system

"...In a fairly contentious meeting Thursday night, the city's Charter Revision Committee voted 8-7 to recommend a 10-1 single-member..."

Feb. 2, 2012 News Post by Michael King

Adler Pulls Frank Rodriguez Nomination

Aide won't serve on Charter Review Commission

"...community advocates, from consideration to join the city’s new Charter Review Commission...."

Nov. 1, 2017 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Public Notice: Doomed?

Looking forward to the November ballot

"...The 2018 Charter Review Commission will hold their final public hearing this..."

April 6, 2018 News Column by Nick Barbaro

TDH: 4/25/11

The Daily Hustle asks if time's up for Single Member Districts

"...vote laying the groundwork for the mayor’s proposed omnibus charter election in 2012, but, as with most political matters,..."

April 25, 2011 News Post by Wells Dunbar

Naked City

The Charter, Again, Part I

"...ballot, the City Council continues to wrangle with proposed charter amendments. This week's agenda announced discussion of not only..."

March 1, 2002 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Point Austin: How Are We Managing?

Targeting city manager may be hunting the wrong game

"...wrote to City Council, "RG4N supports creation of a Charter Revision Committee in order to open a public dialogue..."

April 20, 2007 News Column by Michael King

Naked City

Local news this week in Austin.

"...second choice. Fred Lewis, a member of the city's Charter Review Commission, which recommended instant runoffs to the City..."

March 30, 2001 News Feature by Erica C. Barnett

Council: Throwin’ Shade

City Council, hotter than an August sun

"...ends of the dais. Maybe that's for the best. Charter Amendments Pass..."

Aug. 17, 2018 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Postmarks

Policing the media, mediating the police.

"...The City Charter amendment to implement instant runoff voting recommended by the..."

April 6, 2001 Column

You Can Petition to Put a Measure on the Ballot; but What Does That Cost Taxpayers?

Low-turnout elections still cost money

"...That covers the time City Clerk's Office staff spends reviewing petition signatures to make sure they belong to qualifying..."

Aug. 11, 2023 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...on police oversight. Jackie Goodman herself first proposed a charter amendment for an independent Police Monitor last year. Then..."

March 22, 2002 Column

Brigid Shea: 'A Proven Leader'

Brigid Shea sits down for a Q&A on a wide range of city topics

"...the bids had been submitted and the staff had reviewed them – there were several other engineering firms that..."

April 27, 2012 News Feature by Amy Smith

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...the city ballot by collecting 20,000 signatures. But the Charter Review Commission continues to discuss what changes they will..."

Jan. 26, 2024 News Feature

Adler Pulls Frank Rodriguez Nomination

Aide won’t serve on Charter Review Commission

Nov. 3, 2017 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Chartering a Course

A preview of the Charter Revisions Proposals

"...quality of life? Look no further than the City Charter, which begins, "We the citizens of Austin, in reverence..."

Feb. 15, 2002 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

A Level Playing Field

Due to a city loophole, a charter school can build a campus in less than half the time AISD can

"...sound crazy, but it's already happened in Austin, as charter schools have taken advantage of a loophole in the..."

June 3, 2016 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Drawing Lines on Prop. 1

The city debates campaign finance reform.

"...by allies including Marta Cotera (former member of the Charter Revision Commission), Ginny Agnew (former chair of the city's..."

May 3, 2002 News Feature by Lee Nichols

A Primer on Prop. 1

Mike Clark-Madison summarizes the Austin Fair Elections Act.

"..."Shall the city charter be amended to create a public financing system for..."

April 26, 2002 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Funding Balance

Some Austin politicos think qualified candidates of average means are deterred from running due to low contribution limits

"...and special interests from controlling city politics. Austin's city charter bars individuals from contributing more than $350 to a..."

Dec. 11, 2015 News Feature by Jack Craver

SMD: Seventh Time's the Charm?

Citizens' group collecting voter signatures for 10 City Council districts

"...Lee Leffingwell issued a call for a comprehensive City Charter election, including some form of geographic representation...."

Oct. 28, 2011 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Naked City

The Charter Review Committee comes out with recommendations for city council elections, including single-member districts, a larger council, and possibly proportional representation.

"...Under the proposal, presented by the Charter Review Committee last week, council members would serve three-year..."

Feb. 11, 2000 News Feature by Jenny Staff Johnson

Point Austin: Chartering a New Course

A thumbnail portrait of the proposed City Charter propositions

"...I would return the favor, with a first, summary review of the rest of the city propositions (that is,..."

Sept. 21, 2012 News Column by Michael King

Election at a Glance

"...City Council seats, eight proposed changes to the city charter, six Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees seats,..."

April 26, 2002 News Feature

May 4 Election at a Glance

"...City Council seats, eight proposed changes to the city charter, six Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees seats,..."

April 19, 2002 News Feature

Herding Council Cats

City Council takes on 103 items ranging from bonds to staff review

"...a noon Wednesday executive session for the much-delayed annual review of the performance of City Manager Marc Ott...."

June 24, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

Council Rings the Changes

A full agenda yields a few grains of legislative sand

"...Greg Guernsey, Task Force Chair Margaret Cooper, and Planning Commission Chair Dave Sullivan. It's still a ways from adoption,..."

May 4, 2012 News Feature by Michael King

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