Austin City Council District 8 race: Where candidates stand on the issues
The American-Statesman surveyed the candidates in the upcoming Austin City Council District 8 race to get their positions on some of the key issues facing the city and their district.
Here are the candidates' responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity:
Paige Ellis, incumbent
Biography: Ellis has a degree in sociology and worked at an environmental consulting firm before being elected to the Austin City Council in 2018. In her time on council she has served as chair of the Mobility Committee, the first vice chair to the CAPCOG Clean Air Coalition, as a member of Housing and Planning Committee and a member of Public Safety Committee. She was also appointed to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board and is a board member for Clean Air Force of Central Texas.
More:Austin City Council District 8: Incumbent Paige Ellis facing three challengers
How can the City Council slow the increase in housing prices and make home ownership a greater possibility for more residents?
Council should allow for a greater mix of housing supply to be built in more parts of town. The Land Development Code needs to be cleaned up, clear the backlog of site plan and permit applications, allow for greater density along corridors through alleviating compatibility restrictions or through zoning changes. I've been a consistent pro-housing vote on the dais. For people who already own their homes, increasing homestead exemptions can help take the pressure off of the increase in housing valuations.
What is something you would change about the city’s policies on homelessness?
More progress updates to council and the public. When we tasked the city manager with establishing a plan for public space management in 2019, I held him accountable to not producing that plan. When people began camping in parks (which has never been legal) we had multiple instances of identifying the issues surrounding a lack of enforcement of the rules. Due to the pandemic, the dashboard still references 2019 numbers. The public can't see the day-to-day progression of transitioning people out of homelessness. Big steps have been taken to get people off the streets and into housing. I've increased funding for the Other Ones Foundation's Workforce First job program, approved fee waivers for the Community First Village run by Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and created the Clean Creeks Crew which is a collaboration between ARR and Watershed Protection to work within creeks. There are many aspects of solving homelessness including having a place to take people, case workers to help people get back on their feet and health care service needs that jail and citations will only make worse. If the progress is not being shown, and the policies aren't being enforced, there's an issue with implementation.
More:Here's where Austin City Council District 3 election candidates stand on the issues
How would you rate the quality of policing services Austinites are getting as the police department deals with hundreds of officer vacancies, and what can be done to improve those services?
Since the reinstatement of the cadet classes with a new curriculum, we are seeing fewer retirements and more new cadets who are reflective of the community's values. I supported the reinstatement of the cadet classes and have been working collaboratively with the chief of police on tools that can help detectives solve crimes faster (license plate reader policy). We aim to see fewer police brutality settlements than we've had over the last four years due to a better training program, and as those vacancies are filled, response times will improve.
What would you consider priorities for Austin when it comes to traffic/transit (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc)?
Balancing competing timelines and space for projects. Each have their own funding source and oversight, but if the different entities are not speaking to each other there will be conflicts... I have established relationships with the decision makers and project planners of all of these projects and want to see these projects succeed in providing the congestion relief and increased safety they were designed for.
What other priorities do you have? What sets you apart as a candidate?
I'm pro-affordability, pro-environment, pro-choice and I'm working to end gun violence. I've run as a proud Democrat in 2018 and 2022 because I believe in being transparent with the voters of District 8. I've worked hard for my constituents and built solid relationships with city departments because I believe that the government should work for the people it is tasked with serving.
For district-level candidates: What is an issue that faces your district specifically and how would you address it?
Road safety. I've been working in many neighborhoods to implement traffic calming measures, reduce speed limits, narrow lanes, and improve striping and signage. District 8 needs are routinely not at the top of the prioritization list for city departments, and I've stepped up to deliver meaningful improvements for local parks, emergency response (water bottle distribution and new Fire/EMS stations), and neighborhood streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
More:Austin City Council District 1 race: Here's where candidates stand on the issues
Richard Smith
Biography: Smith is a patent attorney and has experience serving as an administrative patent judge. He has also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Law School. He has a bachelor’s degree in science education from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and received his law degree from the University of Houston Law School. He has served on the city of Austin’s Board of Adjustment and the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Federal Legislation Committee.
How can the city council slow the increase in housing prices and make home ownership a greater possibility for more residents?
Affordability starts at City Hall. The city of Austin can slow the increase in housing prices by reducing the fees, process time, and complexity associated with permitting and development. For existing homeowners and renters, the city can also lower the cost of home ownership by lowering property taxes.
The city of Austin can also slow the increase in housing prices by providing incentives for building below market rate housing. The city often requires developers to include some percentage of below market rate housing at 60% and 80% of median family income. Given the current median family income, I would promote increasing the amount of housing at 40%.
Another option is to phase in property taxes for first-time homebuyers. For example, during the first year of home ownership a resident would only be required to pay one-half of the property taxes due to the city. The amount due would increase to three-fourths of the city property taxes in the second year of home ownership. Full taxes would be paid in the third year.
The city of Austin can also make home ownership a greater possibility for residents by offering free financial education on the steps and requirements to purchase a home.
What is something you would change about the city’s policies on homelessness?
I would work to change the perceived problem associated with homelessness, namely that homelessness is caused by a lack of housing and that it can be solved by housing. But having worked with the homeless for years through Mobile Loaves & Fishes, I know that homelessness is fundamentally a human issue, not a housing issue.
Understanding homelessness in this way changes the focus from housing to treatment and recovery for trauma, loss of family/community, mental illness, addiction, and despair. This is done by moving people off the streets into temporary or emergency shelters for assessment and (hopefully) a path of recovery. But unlike the current homelessness policy of the city, the homeless would be required to receive help and pursue a path to recovery to remain in a shelter.
Unfortunately, for those homeless who choose not to seek help or do not want to get off the streets, the path is one of continued homelessness, subject to the public camping bans of the city and state. For many homeless, this may mean no longer living in Austin, but that is the path they chose.
How would you rate the quality of policing services Austinites are getting as the police department deals with hundreds of officer vacancies, and what can be done to improve those services?
Our police officers are outstanding, but the quality of services has been substantially degraded by the actions of the City Council. Due to reduced numbers of sworn officers, response times are longer, crime has increased, and traffic fatalities are at record levels due to unabated speeding. The reduced number of officers has naturally led to greater stress on and demoralization of remaining officers, leading increasing numbers of officers to retire or seek employment elsewhere.
Austin must make public safety a priority again. Specifically, the number of police classes should be doubled and 911, EMS and APD should be fully staffed. Our public safety personnel should be given the resources necessary to effectively do their jobs. Senior personnel should be incentivized to stay on the job longer.
What would you consider priorities for Austin when it comes to traffic/transit (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc)?
My priorities regarding traffic/transit:
Fix and maintain the roads that currently exist.
Project Connect is turning Austin into a “tear down.” Project Connect should be revisited and its cost should, at a minimum, be capped at the approved $7.1 billion. Environmental impact statements should be obtained before moving forward.
“Cap and stitch” appears to be a promising objective, but the cost to build and expense to maintain needs to first be determined.
Road safety regarding vehicles generally pertains to serious injuries due to excessive speed. Speeding can be reduced by staffing and utilizing law enforcement to enforce speed limits.
The relatively recent introduction of scooters to roadways, such as those in the downtown area, has produced numerous injuries. Regulations on scooter use should be implemented, such as license requirements and use of protective gear.
Public transportation should be made reliable, easy to navigate, and clean.
What other priorities do you have? What sets you apart as a candidate?
Austin must get its financial house in order. I would start with an independent, comprehensive audit of city finances, starting with Austin Water and Austin Energy.
I would also oppose taxpayer giveaways such as the $330 million to be paid for the South-Central Waterfront TIRZ.
I would oppose noncompliance with the city’s environmental protections.
I would oppose the development of a new convention center.
I support the Austin Neighborhoods Council good governance resolution.
What sets me apart:
I have raised a family and understand the struggles that entails.
I have direct experience working with the homeless in our city.
I have been a patent attorney for most of my career. As a patent attorney, I understand technical matters. As an attorney, I also know how to represent others and fight for the rights of others.
As a former judge, I know how to evaluate both sides of an issue and make good decisions.
For district-level candidates: What is an issue that faces your district specifically and how would you address it?
An issue that faces District 8 specifically is one that I was not aware of when I decided to run. Many constituents of District 8 complain about the lack of sufficient communication from their City Council member. In particular, they report the absence of any answer to their phone call or email from their representative in response to their request for information or help. In my opinion, that is simply unacceptable.
I would address this problem by requiring that all emails and phone calls be responded to by my office no later than close of business the next business day. I will also explore the possibility of maintaining a field office in District 8. In addition, I will hold monthly listening sessions in District 8.
More:Austin City Council District 5 race: Where candidates stand on the issues
Kimberly Hawkins
Biography: Hawkins has volunteered with Organizing for America, the Wendy Davis campaign and Battleground Texas. She also raised money for the national Democratic party in 2010, the same year she enrolled in Austin Community College for her general education degree. She has studied classical voice and theater and has experience directing a children’s church choir, managing a restaurant and driving for Uber.
How can the City Council slow the increase in housing prices and make home ownership a greater possibility for more residents?
City Council needs to take a closer look at and eliminate unnecessary, onerous regulations that slow the process of getting a building permit. We should also bring down building fees which are drastically higher than all the other major Texas cities.
What is something you would change about the city’s policies on homelessness?
The city doesn't really have a policy on homelessness. They have resolutions but nothing ever changes. I will work to find another site for another Community First Village on the south side of Austin. We need to get people off the streets so that we can begin addressing the root of their problems. I also want to propose an increase in more buses to underserved and low income neighborhoods. More routes and more buses will impact traffic, affordability and emissions in a positive way.
How would you rate the quality of policing services Austinites are getting as the police department deals with hundreds of officer vacancies, and what can be done to improve those services?
I support the return of cadet classes. I would support an assertive program to recruit among marginalized communities in Austin. I do want to make sure that the cadets are being trained to avoid over policing.
What would you consider priorities for Austin when it comes to traffic/transit (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc)?
I support a substantial increase in the campaign I call, More Routes, More buses. I am opposed to the expansion of I-35 as expansions do not alleviate traffic and just contribute to urban sprawl.
What other priorities do you have? What sets you apart as a candidate?
One priority that I haven't had a chance to mention is a concerted effort to bring the community together after the pandemic has set the community back. I would host, support and encourage weekly open mics in District 8 and throughout the city.
For district-level candidates: What is an issue that faces your district specifically and how would you address it?
The lack of bus ridership in District 8 is due to the inadequate number of buses and routes and I want to promote the idea of the benefits of more buses to the district as well as the city.
Antonio Ross
Biography: Ross served in the U.S. Army, and he studied psychology and early childhood education at the University of New Mexico.
How can the City Council slow the increase in housing prices and make home ownership a greater possibility for more residents?
To partner with land developers, universities, and businesses to free up housing and land. This will allow residential building, and homeownership, and less commercial and student housing.
What is something you would change about the city’s policies on homelessness?
The camping ban policy that's been put in place has not been effective, because we have not provided proper housing, nor proper resources, such as mental and health care.
How would you rate the quality of policing services Austinites are getting as the police department deals with hundreds of officer vacancies, and what can be done to improve those services?
APD has had its challenges, but I do feel that it is definitely improving. Through extensive training, mental evaluations, and better vetting in the hiring process. If APD stays on course, they will reach their goals.
What would you consider priorities for Austin when it comes to traffic/transit (Project Connect, I-35 expansion, road safety, etc)?
Austin traffic priorities should be expanding roadways for a better flow of traffic. I also think that the Project Connect transit system would help eliminate high traffic, accidents, and emissions.
What other priorities do you have? What sets you apart as a candidate?
As a councilman I would like to prioritize public school safety. What sets me apart is that I'm hands on, and I'm not a politician. I'm a hard-working taxpayer of this community.
For district-level candidates: What is an issue that faces your district specifically and how would you address it?
Increasing housing prices, homelessness and lack of recreational and extracurricular facilities for the youth. The way I would address these issues is to meet with developers to build affordable housing without compromising the quality. Enforcing the camping ban while providing resources, and making recreational facilities available, affordable and safe.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin City Council District 8: Where candidates stand on the issues
