Dougherty Arts Center
Attack on Democracy at City Hall
RECEIVED Sun., April 14, 2013
Dear Editor,
During my 30 years in Austin, I don't think I've ever seen such an egregious case of corporate power at City Hall as the attempt by many on the City Council to install an unelected board at Austin Energy. When there have been public discussions at City Hall, dozens of people line up to speak in opposition to the unelected board. This is in stark contrast to the one or two representatives of corporations who speak in favor. Unfortunately, the corporations have the support of the Council.
The mayor and his allies on the Council have never given an explanation of why the unelected board is necessary. Nor have the council members attempted to explain why there is such a rush to accomplish this change. Seattle, Wash., took two years to determine if they wanted to make the same change and ultimately decided against it. Our City Council wants to make this same decision in two months without a real public hearing.
Another factor that looms large in this issue is the coming 10-1 City Council. There are reports that the mayor has said that he wants to undermine the authority of the 10-1 Council by denying it control of Austin Energy. This is consistent with the City Council’s opposition to 10-1.
Crucial to this attack on local democracy is Sen. Watson’s bill that would deny Austin citizens a charter amendment vote on the AE changes. The City Council voted in support of this denial of a vote.
So far, corporate money and an attack on local democracy are winning at City Hall.
During my 30 years in Austin, I don't think I've ever seen such an egregious case of corporate power at City Hall as the attempt by many on the City Council to install an unelected board at Austin Energy. When there have been public discussions at City Hall, dozens of people line up to speak in opposition to the unelected board. This is in stark contrast to the one or two representatives of corporations who speak in favor. Unfortunately, the corporations have the support of the Council.
The mayor and his allies on the Council have never given an explanation of why the unelected board is necessary. Nor have the council members attempted to explain why there is such a rush to accomplish this change. Seattle, Wash., took two years to determine if they wanted to make the same change and ultimately decided against it. Our City Council wants to make this same decision in two months without a real public hearing.
Another factor that looms large in this issue is the coming 10-1 City Council. There are reports that the mayor has said that he wants to undermine the authority of the 10-1 Council by denying it control of Austin Energy. This is consistent with the City Council’s opposition to 10-1.
Crucial to this attack on local democracy is Sen. Watson’s bill that would deny Austin citizens a charter amendment vote on the AE changes. The City Council voted in support of this denial of a vote.
So far, corporate money and an attack on local democracy are winning at City Hall.
Jere Locke
