Did you know that *ZERO* Austin police officers have been held accountable by the city for violence against people at the #BlackLivesMatter protests in 2020 even though:

• Dozens of people have filed lawsuits against the city for police violence they experienced during the protests and the statute of limitations on new suits hasn’t even been reached yet (suits must be filed by May 31st),
• The city has paid ~$13 million in settlements to people over injuries they suffered at the hands of police during the protests, and
• A Travis County grand jury has indicted 19 officers for potential criminal acts against just 11 people at the protests.

Why are police able to commit all this violence without facing accountability from the city? A big reason is the police contract between the city and the Austin Police Association. This contract:

• Keeps police records secret, so violence and misconduct never sees the light of day,
• Ties the hands of civilians trying to provide oversight of police, so investigations into misconduct are limited or never happen in the first place, and
• Prevents accountability, and even when an officer receives discipline, it allows them to be hired and promoted

 Support a Guaranteed Income Pilot & Community Reinvestment Budget

Along with 30 other groups, AJC proudly supports the Community Reinvestment Budget for the City of Austin. This proposal includes specific requests for next year’s City budget that will provide needed resources and programming for poor and working-class Austinites, improve city services and worker pay, and better protect the rights of people marginalized by state and federal laws.

Notably, this proposal also includes recommendations from the Reimagine Public Safety Task Force aiming to improve public safety in our community while NOT calling for any increases to police funding. See below for the specific list of items included in the proposal and please let us know if your organization would like to sign on in support!

• Emergency rental assistance, inclement weather sheltering, and eviction protection [$15M]
• EMS wage increase to help fill more than 100 open positions [$16M]$22 in 2022 minimum for city workers, contractors [$19M]
• Guaranteed income pilot with focused services [$7.5M]Park maintenance, safety, equity [$5.5M]Workforce development [$2.5M]
• Harm reduction services and infrastructure [$2M]
• Trauma Recovery Center for victims [$1M]
• SAFE victim service [$200k]
• Office of Violence Prevention: violence interrupter [$500k]
• Carver Library staff and services: [$300k]
• Immigration legal services for low-income families [$200k]
• Homeless services for Black youth and adults [$1.2M]
• Expand Parent Support Specialist contractual commitment with AISD [$1.5M]Civil Rights Office funding for certain enforcement efforts [$2M]
• Logistical support for Austinites seeking abortion care [$100k]
• Animal Services to support owner surrender prevention and return to home services [$300k]

One of the Community Reinvestment Budget proposals expands the Guaranteed Income Pilot already allocated dollars in this year’s budget. Guaranteed Income is a policy designed to limit poverty by supporting folks with an unconditional monthly stipend to use as they choose. The first significant Guaranteed Income pilot program in Stockton, California succeeded in reducing income volatility, improving health and wellbeing, reducing depression and anxiety, and creating new opportunities for self-determination, choice, goal-setting, and risk-taking among program participants.

On Thursday, May 5, the Austin City Council will vote on whether to approve a contract to start a Guaranteed Income pilot program here in Austin and we encourage you to speak in favor of Item 21. You’re able to speak directly to the council in-person or by phone.
*Registration opens on Monday, May 2, and lasts until noon on Wednesday, May 4. Please let us know if you have any questions or want to get involved!