Civics 101 Archives - The Austin Common https://theaustincommon.com/tag/civics-101/ Network of people interested in information, events, and resources related to Austin and the environment. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:51:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 Budget 101: Civic Power Up https://theaustincommon.com/event/budget-101-civic-power-up/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 23:00:00 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=50302 Where do your property taxes go? How much does the City of Austin spend on parks, libraries, police, firefighters, and more? How can you influence the future of the city’s budget? We’ll be going over all the basics in the first session of our Civic...

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]]> Where do your property taxes go? How much does the City of Austin spend on parks, libraries, police, firefighters, and more? How can you influence the future of the city’s budget? We’ll be going over all the basics in the first session of our Civic Power Up!

Want to tune in? Sign up for our latest Civic Power Up, “Budgetland”.

Can’t tune into the event live? Join The Common Club today and get a recording of this livestream (plus all of the other Civic Power Up events).

What’s a Civic Power Up?

Civic Power Ups are a way for you to deepen your learning & allow you to participate in more hands-on, action-oriented, (and fun) activities. The Austin Common offers several of these action-oriented challenges/mini courses a year, covering topics from climate to civic engagement.

Our latest Civic Power Up is called Budgetland and it lasts from July 17th to July 21st. Click here to sign up and each day, you’ll receive an email with links to live zoom sessions, budget explainers, and tips for how to share your thoughts on the city’s budget with our local elected officials.

The entire Civic Power Up is free for all to participate & to watch our daily videos live. However, we’ll only be sharing recordings of the videos with our Common Club members. This is our way of honoring our commitment to making all of our news & information free to all, while still offering a small perk to our Common Club members.

So, if you’re not able to make it to any of the live sessions (or if you just want to support The Austin Common), consider joining The Common Club today! Memberships start at just $3, most of the levels come with fun swag, and your support allows us to continue doing all of our civic awesomeness 🙂

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]]> Prop A Passed… Now What? https://theaustincommon.com/prop-a-passed-now-what/ https://theaustincommon.com/prop-a-passed-now-what/#respond Thu, 11 May 2023 23:42:47 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?p=50045 Summary On Election Day, voters overwhelmingly approved Prop A & rejected Prop B, expressing support for stronger civilian oversight of our city’s police department. Action Box Keep an eye on our Instagram page for updates on how the new police contract negotiations are progressing. Election...

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We Actually Explain The News

Summary

On Election Day, voters overwhelmingly approved Prop A & rejected Prop B, expressing support for stronger civilian oversight of our city's police department.

Action Items

Action Box

Keep an eye on our Instagram page for updates on how the new police contract negotiations are progressing.

Election Day is over and Prop A passed, but that doesn’t mean that change will necessarily happen overnight. Check out our latest guide for everything you need to know about what happens next. 

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You can read Mayor Watson’s full statement in response to the election here. 

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We recorded a podcast episode about police contracts in the middle of these negotiations earlier this year. You can listen to it here. 

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Update – Since this post was originally published, a re-vote in the House committee did occur and SB 2209 was approved 6-3. This still does not mean the bill has passed (or will pass), but it has moved along in the process. You can track the bill online here. 

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]]> https://theaustincommon.com/prop-a-passed-now-what/feed/ 0 Prop A & Prop B: What Are They & Why Do They Matter? https://theaustincommon.com/prop-a-prop-b-what-are-they/ https://theaustincommon.com/prop-a-prop-b-what-are-they/#respond Thu, 20 Apr 2023 20:44:23 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?p=49960 Summary Prop A & Prop B are both on the ballot because of citizen signature drives and both are related to police oversight and accountability… but they’re actually very different from each other. Action Box Don’t forget to vote! Election Day is May 6th and...

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We Actually Explain The News

Summary

Prop A & Prop B are both on the ballot because of citizen signature drives and both are related to police oversight and accountability... but they're actually very different from each other.

Action Items

Action Box

Don't forget to vote! Election Day is May 6th and early voting lasts from April 24th to May 2nd.

It’s time for another election! And this one will influence the future of police oversight in Austin… in other words, it’s a pretty big deal. 

 

Learn more about what will be on your ballot with our latest guide. 

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If you live in Travis County, you can find polling location info here and if you live in Williamson County, you can find polling location info here. 

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You can check out Equity Action’s Prop A campaign website here. 

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You can read the complete text for Equity Action Austin Police Oversight Act (Prop A) here. 

Prop A & B

You can check out the Voters for Oversight & Police Accountability website here. 

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Equity Action created a comparison of the two versions of the Austin Police Oversight Act, with cross outs and redlines indicating the ways that Prop B differs from Prop A. 

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For a deeper dive into the legal questions behind Prop A, you can listen to this interview we recorded in February with Council Member Alison Alter for the Austin Common Radio Hour podcast. (That interview starts at the 24 minute mark.) 

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You can look through Prop A’s full endorsement list here. 

Quotes from Kathy Mitchell come from an original interview conducted with her. The Austin Police Association and Voters For Oversight and Police Accountability did not return our interview requests. 

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]]> https://theaustincommon.com/prop-a-prop-b-what-are-they/feed/ 0 Young Austinite Civic Summit https://theaustincommon.com/event/young-austinite-civic-summit/ Thu, 13 Apr 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=49806 The first annual Young Austinite Civic Summit aims to educate, synergize and empower young students to be more civically engaged. Join us for the Young Austinite Civic Summit, open to SEU and Austin community members ages 15-25. This event is geared towards High School and...

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]]> The first annual Young Austinite Civic Summit aims to educate, synergize and empower young students to be more civically engaged.

Join us for the Young Austinite Civic Summit, open to SEU and Austin community members ages 15-25. This event is geared towards High School and College Students and will emphasize actionable solutions to problems facing young people in Austin.

If you are bringing a car to campus please register it here for a complimentary parking pass. And click here to RSVP for the event in general.

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]]> What Does A City Manager Do? https://theaustincommon.com/what-does-a-city-manager-do/ https://theaustincommon.com/what-does-a-city-manager-do/#respond Thu, 16 Mar 2023 17:10:18 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?p=49766 Summary Last month, Austin City Council voted to fire City Manager Spencer Cronk in a 10-1 vote. Action Box Keep an eye out for upcoming public engagement opportunities on the selection of Austin’s next city manager. Today, we’ve got a little civics lessons for ya!...

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We Actually Explain The News

Summary

Last month, Austin City Council voted to fire City Manager Spencer Cronk in a 10-1 vote.

Action Items

Action Box

Keep an eye out for upcoming public engagement opportunities on the selection of Austin's next city manager.

Today, we’ve got a little civics lessons for ya! What’s a city manager and what’s going on with the city manager position in Austin? Find out with our latest guide. 

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You can learn more about the police contract issue with this story we published in February. 

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You can learn more about Jesús Garza on the city’s website. 

Make sure you’re following The Austin Common! We’ll let you know when public input opportunities around the new city manager search are available.

Quotes for this guide are all taken from original interviews conducted Council Members Alison Alter and José “Chito” Vela. 

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]]> https://theaustincommon.com/what-does-a-city-manager-do/feed/ 0 Civics 101: A Beginner’s Guide To Local Government https://theaustincommon.com/event/civics-101-a-beginners-guide-to-local-government/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:00:00 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=48647 Local government is important. It affects us all. Whether we’re talking about the air we breathe, the water we drink, the energy we use, or the parks we play in, local government matters. And yet, most of us don’t know how it really works… let...

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]]> Local government is important. It affects us all. Whether we’re talking about the air we breathe, the water we drink, the energy we use, or the parks we play in, local government matters.

And yet, most of us don’t know how it really works… let alone to get involved.

That’s what we’ll be covering in this Common Club member-only Civics 101 event.

During this event you can expect to learn:

  • The 3 things you need to know to get involved with local government
  • How did we get here? A brief history of Austin’s local government system
  • Tips for the best ways to make your voice heard at City Hall

Can’t wait to see you then! Bring your questions! 🙂

 

Remember – In order to get an RSVP link, you have to be a Common Club member… so be sure to sign up today!

The Common Club is our Patreon community and supporters’ network. Memberships start at just $3/ a month and come with lots of fun merch and perks (like invites to members-only events)!

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]]> Defending Democracy Dinner https://theaustincommon.com/event/defending-democracy-dinner/ Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:30:00 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=47733 Our democracy is what allows us to have our way of life with the freedoms we enjoy. But democracy is fragile. It can disappear before our very eyes if we aren’t careful. In order to protect our democracy, everyday citizens must be engaged and step...

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]]> Our democracy is what allows us to have our way of life with the freedoms we enjoy. But democracy is fragile. It can disappear before our very eyes if we aren’t careful. In order to protect our democracy, everyday citizens must be engaged and step up to defend it.

The League of Women Voters Austin Area is made up of volunteers right here in Central Texas who recognize that our democracy must be protected. We provide voter registration in local high schools and throughout the community. We create the Voters Guide, the go-to publication for nonpartisan information during each election. We create and present nonpartisan civics education to all potential voters in Central Texas. And we do this all for free- but we can’t do it without your support.

Join us on April 6, 2022 at Defending Democracy Dinner. When you arrive, you’ll be able to browse our silent auction and raffle with drinks available from the cash bar. During the three-course dinner, you’ll hear from our keynote speaker, Amy Stansbury of the Austin Common, as well as our President, Mari Robinson. You’ll learn about what the League has been doing to protect our democracy and our plans for 2022 and beyond. You’ll hear why this work is so important and how the League makes a critical difference. You’ll meet our award winners, both League members and members of the community, who are upholding the values of the League. And you’ll know that every dollar raised at this event is going to Defend Democracy.

So what are you waiting for? Buy a ticket or a table and know that your attendance and generosity will register and inform more voters right here in the Austin Area. Will you join us to Defend Democracy?

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]]> 9 Ways To Be More Civically Engaged In 2022 https://theaustincommon.com/event/9-ways-to-be-more-civically-engaged-in-2022/ Mon, 31 Jan 2022 23:30:00 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=47458 Feeling frustrated about the state of the world? Want to do something in 2022 to make a real difference? Join us for our first Common Club members-only AMA (ask me anything) of the year. Austin Common Editor-In-Chief Amy Stansbury will be going through her picks for...

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]]> Feeling frustrated about the state of the world? Want to do something in 2022 to make a real difference?

Join us for our first Common Club members-only AMA (ask me anything) of the year.

Austin Common Editor-In-Chief Amy Stansbury will be going through her picks for the top ways to be more civically engaged in 2022 & answering all of your questions.

 

Why you should attend :

** Get one-on-one support for your 2022 civic engagement goals. Amy will give you tips for finding a local advocacy organization you connect with, applying to serve on a city board/commission, & figuring out who your Council member is.

** Connect with other Common Club members! Civic engagement is more fun with a friend. Connect with other Austinites who are also trying to be more civically engaged in 2022 & find yourself an accountability buddy 🙂

 

PS – This event is for members of The Common Club (The Austin Common’s Patreon community). Join the club today to gain access to login info for this event. 

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]]> Civics 101 Researching Your Ballot and Casting Your Vote https://theaustincommon.com/event/civics-101-researching-your-ballot-and-casting-your-vote/ Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:30:00 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?post_type=tribe_events&p=47357 Are you ready for the 2022 Primaries? Do you need help making informed decisions regarding your ballot? Do you need help figuring out how to get to the polls? We will cover all that and more in our first Civic Session of the new year....

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]]> Are you ready for the 2022 Primaries? Do you need help making informed decisions regarding your ballot? Do you need help figuring out how to get to the polls? We will cover all that and more in our first Civic Session of the new year. The session will be hosted on Zoom and streamed on the LWV-AA Facebook Page.

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7beopC9GRr6XLuoj2y3J-g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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]]> An Austin Common Year In Review: 2021 https://theaustincommon.com/an-austin-common-year-in-review-2021/ https://theaustincommon.com/an-austin-common-year-in-review-2021/#respond Wed, 22 Dec 2021 20:19:24 +0000 https://theaustincommon.com/?p=47320 Summary Austin Common Editor-In-Chief Amy Stansbury looks back at some of the biggest moments at The Austin Common in 2021. Action Box Join The Common Club and give the gift of a strong local democracy this holiday season. 2021 was quite a year… and a...

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We Actually Explain The News

Summary

Austin Common Editor-In-Chief Amy Stansbury looks back at some of the biggest moments at The Austin Common in 2021.

Action Items

Action Box

Join The Common Club and give the gift of a strong local democracy this holiday season.

2021 was quite a year… and a busy one over here at The Austin Common. Keep scrolling to see some of the good work we were able to do for our local community.

 

Want to support our work? And help us continue to promote civic education in Austin in 2022 and beyond? Join The Common Club today!

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