Council members Want to Rescind Agreement?

Posted on 03/05/2009 | Leave a comment

(Community Matters) You gotta be kidding me? Our city negotiates in good faith with businesses to invest in our community. The investments are made and now two usually thoughtful council members are talking about “asking” for a retrade of the business agreement, effectively suggesting Austin rescind its agreement with these investors? And, one of these members wants to be our next mayor, our representative nationally????

This is NOT the reputation that will help Austin weather the economic storm, become a leader in alternative energies, attract other job opportunities nor retain our favorable bond rating. I hope mayoral hopeful Lee Leffingwell and Council member MikeMartinez (former firefighters union president) will rethink this and retract the proposal.

Additionally, though I know both owe the police and firefighters’ union for their endorsements, I hope they will rethink their proposal that these two groups (both the highest paid in our state) be exempt from bearing any part in fiscal tightening. To instead propose closing libraries, park services and further cutting back critical human services in order to protect those who have endorsed them is not responsible and is not leadership.

update: I know, I know. I’m already receiving emails that I am pushing this too far, risk alienating friends. Lee & Mike are both friends. I’ve given and helped Lee raise money for election & reelection and consider him a, usually, excellent council member. I supported Mike financially and publicly in his first race. Nevertheless, these two proposals are irresponsible and appear purely politically driven – attempts to attract Prop 2 supporters and quid pro quo for police & firefighters’ union endorsements. We all make mistakes. I hope Lee & Mike will both acknowledge these proposals as such and we can move forward.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a comment