Policy in Perspective from The LBJ School of Public Affairs

Author: Ana Perez

Austin City Council Stands in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Post author By Ana Perez
Post date June 21, 2020
No Comments on Austin City Council Stands in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Following last week’s public outcry at the Austin City Council’s virtual hearing, councilmembers unanimously backed new police reform and divestment resolutions. On June 11, council took comments on five agenda items responding to police brutality against Black Austinites and Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Despite four councilmembers voicing lost confidence in Police Chief Brian Manley, these […]

Tags Austin City Council, Criminal Justice, defund the police, Police Brutality, public forum, Texas

Civil Rights Politics and Governance

Austin City Council Approves Police Grant Despite Calls for Disinvestment

Post author By Ana Perez
Post date June 8, 2020
No Comments on Austin City Council Approves Police Grant Despite Calls for Disinvestment

Over the past weeks, the nation experienced an outpouring of indignation, anguish and unity in response to the murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd after video of a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck ignited a long-culminating powder keg of anger towards police forces. This powder keg of anger grew significantly during recent months following the murders […]

Tags Austin City Council, Defund police, Local government, Municipal government, National, Police Brutality, Texas

Civil Rights Politics and Governance

Why APD Should Embrace City Council’s Resolution to Prevent Cannabis Testing and Prosecution

Post author By Ana Perez
Post date February 18, 2020
No Comments on Why APD Should Embrace City Council’s Resolution to Prevent Cannabis Testing and Prosecution

Texas opened the door to a host of problems around prosecuting possession of marijuana after legislation passed in the summer of 2019. Austin has its own response to how it think police should handle possession going forward, but not everyone agrees with the City Council’s progressive stance.

Tags Austin City Council, Drug Laws, HB 1325, Hemp Bill, Marijuana, Op-Ed, Policing, Racial Profiling, Social Equity, Texas