Austin Mayoral Candidates Debate Policing, Housing, and Small Business Support at Forum

Austin Mayoral Candidates Discuss Key Issues at Forum

On Wednesday, all five candidates running for mayor of Austin participated in a forum organized by Austin PBS and the LBJ School of Public Affairs’ Urban Lab. The candidates discussed important topics that the city is currently facing, including policing, housing, economic development, and affordability.

Policing Takes Center Stage

Policing was the first topic addressed at the forum, following the recent agreement between the Austin police union and the city on a new five-year contract valued at $218 million. This contract will be voted on by the City Council on October 10. Candidates Doug Greco, Carmen Llanes Pulido, and Kathie Tovo expressed their support for enhancing public safety while emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in police operations.

“Our officers deserve a fair and competitive wage, and the voters deserve to make sure that the contract that is approved by the Council has the accountability measures in it that the voters approved and that the court has affirmed,” Tovo stated during the discussion. She raised concerns about some details of the contract remaining undisclosed, leaving many questions about how the contract would address previous rulings that demanded greater transparency regarding conduct complaints and internal investigations.

Greco noted, “We voted for transparency and we should not trade that away for a police contract. We should be able to pay our public safety officers well and support the voters’ will.” In contrast, Mayor Kirk Watson supported the contract, arguing that the city needs to increase the number of police officers to better meet the safety needs of Austinites. “The No. 1 way for us to address the need of Austinites to feel safe and be safe is that we need to have more police officers,” Watson explained.

Housing and Affordability Issues

The discussion then shifted to housing and affordability, where candidates voiced their criticism of the HOME initiative. Passed during Watson’s administration, the initiative faced backlash for its effectiveness in protecting affordable housing and addressing the rising cost of living. Llanes Pulido expressed frustration, stating, “Affordability first is a simple lie. It’s been affordability last since the very beginning.” She highlighted the trend of modest homes being replaced by expensive properties in central areas.

Tovo echoed similar sentiments, pointing out that the HOME initiative lacked provisions for affordable housing and criticized the permitting of short-term rentals under the initiative. “If there are three units on the property, at least two of them can be investor-owned short-term rentals 100 percent of the time. That doesn’t create housing for people—it creates hotels,” she said.

Greco advocated for measures to help residents access housing, emphasizing the need for rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and loans for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). “We have lost our working class in Austin,” he pointed out, stressing the challenges families face when competing with institutional investors for homes.

Support for Small Businesses

The candidates also addressed concerns regarding the displacement of small businesses in Austin. Greco criticized the city’s past strategies of incentivizing large corporations while neglecting small business support. “We are subsidizing major manufacturers,” he said, urging for equivalent support for small businesses, including help with start-up costs and relocation assistance.

Bowen, a local small-business owner, spoke about the importance of keeping small businesses thriving, saying, “I would like to see more emphasis and more economic development to keep small businesses open because they generate the sales tax revenue that helps fill the budget.” Llanes Pulido added, “Our businesses need actual, caring people to look at how to pave the way for these programs.”

In response to concerns about small businesses, Mayor Watson highlighted that the city’s Economic Development Department is developing a small-business incentives program aimed at preserving the interests of local businesses.

Austin’s Future at Stake

As the November 2024 elections approach, these discussions during the forum shed light on the different approaches candidates take to crucial issues affecting Austinites. The candidates’ positions on policing, housing, and economic development will significantly influence the future of the city and its residents.