The biennial political rodeo known as the Texas Legislature opens Jan. 10, and a Republican lawmaker is trying to buck off liberal Austin already.
“Elected officials in Austin have failed their city,” State Rep. Jared Patterson said on Twitter. “Record high taxes and crime are pushing folks out of the city, and their San Francisco wannabe policies force the state to come over the top on legislation each session.”
He’s not just dog whistling.
Patterson filed a bill in the Texas House of Representatives that would strip the Texas capital of local governance, the San Antonio Express-News reported. Instead of having its own mayor and city council, Austin would be controlled by the Texas Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House.
The “District of Austin” would replace the capital city if Patterson’s bill is passed.
Real estate has also attempted some control over Austin’s municipal government, although through traditional channels like dumping tons of money into political campaigns.
Patterson, one of the most conservative members of the Texas House, is unlikely to get so much as a committee hearing for his Austin kissoff.
Matt Rinadli, the chair of the Texas Republican Party, nevertheless endorsed the bill, calling it a “good idea.”
Many have been quick to criticize the proposal.
“This brazen attack on #LocalControl is not only an attempt to take away the will of the voters in Austin, but is a prime example of the waste of time and resources that occurs every session,” Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua tweeted about the bill. “Instead of focusing on legislation to improve the lives of Texans, we get games.”
Austin still needs to choose its next mayor. After the latest election, no mayoral candidate won more than 50 percent of the votes, meaning Austin voters will choose between Celia Israel and Kirk Watson in a runoff Dec. 13.
Voter turnout will likely be lower than in the November election, when Austin’s Travis County had 52 percent of registered voters submit ballots.
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— Victoria Pruitt