Jack Craver
@jackcraver.bsky.social
Subscribe to the Austin Politics Newsletter to understand what's going on at City Hall: austinpolitics.net
Last month it seemed that Mayor Kirk Watson called for an officer seen punching a man on 6th St to be disciplined. It also appeared APD had removed him from patrol. But I saw him the other day.
www.austinpolitics.net/is-this-offi...
www.austinpolitics.net/is-this-offi...
Is this officer supposed to be on the streets?
I thought he was put on restricted duty.
www.austinpolitics.net
November 13, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Last month it seemed that Mayor Kirk Watson called for an officer seen punching a man on 6th St to be disciplined. It also appeared APD had removed him from patrol. But I saw him the other day.
www.austinpolitics.net/is-this-offi...
www.austinpolitics.net/is-this-offi...
In the wake of Prop Q's failure, expect to see lots of performative frugality on small expenses. What you probably won't see is any meaningful effort to rein in the city's biggest cost drivers:
www.austinpolitics.net/no-cuts-for-...
www.austinpolitics.net/no-cuts-for-...
No cuts for the cops
But Fire & EMS brace for cuts.
www.austinpolitics.net
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
In the wake of Prop Q's failure, expect to see lots of performative frugality on small expenses. What you probably won't see is any meaningful effort to rein in the city's biggest cost drivers:
www.austinpolitics.net/no-cuts-for-...
www.austinpolitics.net/no-cuts-for-...
My take on Austin voters' rejection of Prop Q:
"Austin voters delivered a giant middle finger to City Council last night. There's no nicer way to put it."
www.austinpolitics.net/fu-q-tax-hik...
"Austin voters delivered a giant middle finger to City Council last night. There's no nicer way to put it."
www.austinpolitics.net/fu-q-tax-hik...
FU-Q: Tax hike goes down in flames
No way to sugarcoat it.
www.austinpolitics.net
November 5, 2025 at 11:05 PM
My take on Austin voters' rejection of Prop Q:
"Austin voters delivered a giant middle finger to City Council last night. There's no nicer way to put it."
www.austinpolitics.net/fu-q-tax-hik...
"Austin voters delivered a giant middle finger to City Council last night. There's no nicer way to put it."
www.austinpolitics.net/fu-q-tax-hik...
I talked to 30 voters at the polls in South Austin today about Prop Q, the proposed tax hike. It was a very mixed bag in an otherwise very liberal area.
www.austinpolitics.net/vibes-at-the...
www.austinpolitics.net/vibes-at-the...
Vibes at the polls
Mixed vibes in South Austin.
www.austinpolitics.net
November 4, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I talked to 30 voters at the polls in South Austin today about Prop Q, the proposed tax hike. It was a very mixed bag in an otherwise very liberal area.
www.austinpolitics.net/vibes-at-the...
www.austinpolitics.net/vibes-at-the...
Greg Abbott is making things harder for the city of Austin as it tries to clean up homeless encampments:
www.austinpolitics.net/abbotts-unco...
www.austinpolitics.net/abbotts-unco...
Abbott's uncooperative encampment strategy
The state won't talk to the city.
www.austinpolitics.net
October 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Greg Abbott is making things harder for the city of Austin as it tries to clean up homeless encampments:
www.austinpolitics.net/abbotts-unco...
www.austinpolitics.net/abbotts-unco...
Reposted by Jack Craver
New from @jackcraver.bsky.social: "It’s a tough time to be an Austin property taxpayer. Nothing seems to make sense."
Why the City of Austin Wants Voters to Hike Their Property Taxes
And what Prop Q could mean for the future of local governments in Texas
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
New from @jackcraver.bsky.social: "It’s a tough time to be an Austin property taxpayer. Nothing seems to make sense."
Check out my article in the Texas Observer about Prop Q, the Austin tax rate election.
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
Why the City of Austin Wants Voters to Hike Their Property Taxes
And what Prop Q could mean for the future of local governments in Texas
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Check out my article in the Texas Observer about Prop Q, the Austin tax rate election.
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
www.texasobserver.org/austin-prope...
Do you think property taxes in Austin are high? That's a matter of opinion, but they're not much higher than surrounding suburbs. Check out the data I compiled here:
www.austinpolitics.net/are-austin-p...
www.austinpolitics.net/are-austin-p...
Are Austin property taxes actually high?
How does Austin compare to other Central Texas cities?
www.austinpolitics.net
October 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Do you think property taxes in Austin are high? That's a matter of opinion, but they're not much higher than surrounding suburbs. Check out the data I compiled here:
www.austinpolitics.net/are-austin-p...
www.austinpolitics.net/are-austin-p...
At least one police brutality incident caught on camera may be too much for the APD chief to brush under the rug.
www.austinpolitics.net/your-move-ch...
www.austinpolitics.net/your-move-ch...
Your move, Chief Davis
Police brutality on 6th Street.
www.austinpolitics.net
October 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
At least one police brutality incident caught on camera may be too much for the APD chief to brush under the rug.
www.austinpolitics.net/your-move-ch...
www.austinpolitics.net/your-move-ch...
Greg Abbott takes a brave stand against rainbow crosswalks in Austin, Houston and San Antonio:
www.austinpolitics.net/politics-in-...
www.austinpolitics.net/politics-in-...
Politics in the crosswalk
Watson gives Abbott the disdain he deserves.
www.austinpolitics.net
October 14, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Greg Abbott takes a brave stand against rainbow crosswalks in Austin, Houston and San Antonio:
www.austinpolitics.net/politics-in-...
www.austinpolitics.net/politics-in-...
Here's a look at who is supporting & funding both the pro & anti sides of Austin's tax rate election.
www.austinpolitics.net/whos-against...
www.austinpolitics.net/whos-against...
Who's against Prop Q?
Business groups come out against.
www.austinpolitics.net
October 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Here's a look at who is supporting & funding both the pro & anti sides of Austin's tax rate election.
www.austinpolitics.net/whos-against...
www.austinpolitics.net/whos-against...
Well, cat and dog abortions are mostly legal again at the Austin Animal Center. But Mayor Kirk Watson still managed to slip in an exception for "lactating" animals at the behest of the anti-pet abortion wackos at Austin Pets Alive:
www.austinpolitics.net/the-mayors-l...
www.austinpolitics.net/the-mayors-l...
The mayor's lactating exception
But the shelter is doing abortions again.
www.austinpolitics.net
October 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Well, cat and dog abortions are mostly legal again at the Austin Animal Center. But Mayor Kirk Watson still managed to slip in an exception for "lactating" animals at the behest of the anti-pet abortion wackos at Austin Pets Alive:
www.austinpolitics.net/the-mayors-l...
www.austinpolitics.net/the-mayors-l...
Had a lot of fun meeting & learning about the Clippys at last week's City Council. They get their name from the friendly Microsoft Office assistant who kind of sucked but at least didn't steal your data. They came to City Hall to oppose AI cameras in parks:
www.austinpolitics.net/the-clippys-...
www.austinpolitics.net/the-clippys-...
The clippys come to City Hall
A big YouTube personality gets his fans involved.
www.austinpolitics.net
September 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Had a lot of fun meeting & learning about the Clippys at last week's City Council. They get their name from the friendly Microsoft Office assistant who kind of sucked but at least didn't steal your data. They came to City Hall to oppose AI cameras in parks:
www.austinpolitics.net/the-clippys-...
www.austinpolitics.net/the-clippys-...
Does a new state law undermine Austin's affordable housing density bonuses? Probably, but that doesn't mean it will ultimately hurt overall housing affordability. Read more:
www.austinpolitics.net/does-a-new-l...
www.austinpolitics.net/does-a-new-l...
Does a new law undermine Austin's density bonuses?
Is this a good thing?
www.austinpolitics.net
September 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Does a new state law undermine Austin's affordable housing density bonuses? Probably, but that doesn't mean it will ultimately hurt overall housing affordability. Read more:
www.austinpolitics.net/does-a-new-l...
www.austinpolitics.net/does-a-new-l...
NYC's congestion toll isn't realistic in most U.S. cities, where even the poor rely on cars to get to work.
I enjoyed talking to the UT's Kara Kockelman about a less painful way to discourage rush-hour driving: Credit-Based Decongestion Pricing:
comotion.substack.com/p/the-credit...
I enjoyed talking to the UT's Kara Kockelman about a less painful way to discourage rush-hour driving: Credit-Based Decongestion Pricing:
comotion.substack.com/p/the-credit...
The credit fix for congested cities
(5min read) Introducing credit-based decongestion pricing.
comotion.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM
NYC's congestion toll isn't realistic in most U.S. cities, where even the poor rely on cars to get to work.
I enjoyed talking to the UT's Kara Kockelman about a less painful way to discourage rush-hour driving: Credit-Based Decongestion Pricing:
comotion.substack.com/p/the-credit...
I enjoyed talking to the UT's Kara Kockelman about a less painful way to discourage rush-hour driving: Credit-Based Decongestion Pricing:
comotion.substack.com/p/the-credit...
I break down how the city of Austin actually spends its money. Austin spends 40% more on police than Fort Worth (same pop & crime rate). The cost of APD + AFD exceeds all of the property tax the city collects.
www.austinpolitics.net/its-the-poli...
www.austinpolitics.net/its-the-poli...
It's the police spending
Back the Blue ≠ low taxes
www.austinpolitics.net
August 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I break down how the city of Austin actually spends its money. Austin spends 40% more on police than Fort Worth (same pop & crime rate). The cost of APD + AFD exceeds all of the property tax the city collects.
www.austinpolitics.net/its-the-poli...
www.austinpolitics.net/its-the-poli...
Did you know that Austin has had an anti-abortion policy on the books for the past 6 years –– for dogs and cats. City Council finally freed itself from the wacky grip of Austin Pets Alive! and voted to repeal it.
www.austinpolitics.net/dog-cat-abor...
www.austinpolitics.net/dog-cat-abor...
Dog & cat abortion is back!
Good riddance.
www.austinpolitics.net
August 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Did you know that Austin has had an anti-abortion policy on the books for the past 6 years –– for dogs and cats. City Council finally freed itself from the wacky grip of Austin Pets Alive! and voted to repeal it.
www.austinpolitics.net/dog-cat-abor...
www.austinpolitics.net/dog-cat-abor...
Right. To be clear, there are def places city govt can cut. But a many efficiencies will be in our public safety depts. There's also the problem that much of our budget is now being funded by raiding the Austin Energy budget, which puts pressure on electric rates (regressive tax)!
Every time one of the usual suspects asks why the City has to raise taxes, they blame spending.
Concurrently, they say the city is unsafe and cite anecdotal evidence to support public safety increases.
Problem: 89%(!) of Austin’s tax revenue goes to public safety per @jackcraver.bsky.social.
Concurrently, they say the city is unsafe and cite anecdotal evidence to support public safety increases.
Problem: 89%(!) of Austin’s tax revenue goes to public safety per @jackcraver.bsky.social.
August 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Right. To be clear, there are def places city govt can cut. But a many efficiencies will be in our public safety depts. There's also the problem that much of our budget is now being funded by raiding the Austin Energy budget, which puts pressure on electric rates (regressive tax)!
I wrote about why America is so bad at building public transit. I talked to Eric Goldwyn of the Transit Costs Project about why it costs so much more and takes so much longer to build basic transit systems in the US than in Europe or Asia.
comotion.substack.com/p/abundance-...
comotion.substack.com/p/abundance-...
Abundance: Can America ever re-learn how to go big on transit?
(6min read) American transit is sorely in need of an "abundance" approach.
comotion.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I wrote about why America is so bad at building public transit. I talked to Eric Goldwyn of the Transit Costs Project about why it costs so much more and takes so much longer to build basic transit systems in the US than in Europe or Asia.
comotion.substack.com/p/abundance-...
comotion.substack.com/p/abundance-...
THREAD: Last night Mayor Watson dropped new TRE proposal: 5¢ tax hike — same as Zo Qadri, Paige Ellis, Mike Siegel & Krista Laine’s plan.
Mayor says he still prefers his 3.5¢ plan, but he’s “willing to try to achieve consensus” by focusing on core services. 1/
Mayor says he still prefers his 3.5¢ plan, but he’s “willing to try to achieve consensus” by focusing on core services. 1/
August 13, 2025 at 1:58 AM
THREAD: Last night Mayor Watson dropped new TRE proposal: 5¢ tax hike — same as Zo Qadri, Paige Ellis, Mike Siegel & Krista Laine’s plan.
Mayor says he still prefers his 3.5¢ plan, but he’s “willing to try to achieve consensus” by focusing on core services. 1/
Mayor says he still prefers his 3.5¢ plan, but he’s “willing to try to achieve consensus” by focusing on core services. 1/
The haggling over Austin's homelessness spending continues. But it looks like Council is converging on something the mayor can support.
Also: 3 days to sign up for the Austin Politics Newsletter 33% tax hike discount –– $80 for one year. (Link in comment)
www.austinpolitics.net/council-bend...
Also: 3 days to sign up for the Austin Politics Newsletter 33% tax hike discount –– $80 for one year. (Link in comment)
www.austinpolitics.net/council-bend...
Council bending to Watson's will
The Council moves towards a lower tax hike.
www.austinpolitics.net
August 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The haggling over Austin's homelessness spending continues. But it looks like Council is converging on something the mayor can support.
Also: 3 days to sign up for the Austin Politics Newsletter 33% tax hike discount –– $80 for one year. (Link in comment)
www.austinpolitics.net/council-bend...
Also: 3 days to sign up for the Austin Politics Newsletter 33% tax hike discount –– $80 for one year. (Link in comment)
www.austinpolitics.net/council-bend...
In honor of the city's budget crisis, the Austin Politics Newsletter is offering a "budget-friendly" subscription for only $80/yr. That's 33% off for the $33 million deficit.
Sign up now!
www.austinpolitics.net/budget-seaso...
Sign up now!
www.austinpolitics.net/budget-seaso...
The Austin Politics Newsletter
Politics & policy in America's fastest growing city.
www.austinpolitics.net
August 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
In honor of the city's budget crisis, the Austin Politics Newsletter is offering a "budget-friendly" subscription for only $80/yr. That's 33% off for the $33 million deficit.
Sign up now!
www.austinpolitics.net/budget-seaso...
Sign up now!
www.austinpolitics.net/budget-seaso...
Austin voters will have to approve a tax hike to avoid big cuts to basic services. It's up to City Council to put a tax hike on the ballot that they think voters will approve. How big will they go? Here are some different scenarios.
www.austinpolitics.net/what-will-a-...
www.austinpolitics.net/what-will-a-...
What will a tax hike get Austin?
How high will voters go?
www.austinpolitics.net
July 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Austin voters will have to approve a tax hike to avoid big cuts to basic services. It's up to City Council to put a tax hike on the ballot that they think voters will approve. How big will they go? Here are some different scenarios.
www.austinpolitics.net/what-will-a-...
www.austinpolitics.net/what-will-a-...
It's more important now than ever that Austin's city leaders make tough decisions about spending. That means turning down some nice things in order to save more important things.
www.austinpolitics.net/liberalism-d...
www.austinpolitics.net/liberalism-d...
Liberalism depends on cost controls
There is such thing as bad spending.
www.austinpolitics.net
July 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
It's more important now than ever that Austin's city leaders make tough decisions about spending. That means turning down some nice things in order to save more important things.
www.austinpolitics.net/liberalism-d...
www.austinpolitics.net/liberalism-d...
Reposted by Jack Craver
This change in which medical emergency 911 calls firefighters get sent out to is a huge deal. With the legislature imposing a cap on how much money the city can raise, we need to use resources smartly.
Austin EMS will significantly reduce the # of calls where it turns on its sirens & lights –– the 42 secs of increased speed provide little benefit.
More importantly –– EMS will cut in half # of calls where they ask for help from fire dept.
www.austinpolitics.net/austin-ems-t...
More importantly –– EMS will cut in half # of calls where they ask for help from fire dept.
www.austinpolitics.net/austin-ems-t...
Austin EMS turns off the sirens
Few 911 calls merit sirens –– let alone fire trucks.
www.austinpolitics.net
July 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This change in which medical emergency 911 calls firefighters get sent out to is a huge deal. With the legislature imposing a cap on how much money the city can raise, we need to use resources smartly.