I am an Austin Taxpayer – and I own what?
Any city, and particularly a large and growing city, needs to acquire land and other property for city services and operations. Most of these properties operate for the benefit of the citizens of the city, and they are often a good deal for taxpayers. The City of Austin is no different. But the City of Austin also owns some properties that don’t benefit everyone, and some don’t seem to benefit anyone.
The City of Austin owns Austin Energy and Austin Water, providing public utility services for Austin residents. The City of Austin also owns Austin Bergstrom International Airport and many airport support facilities. While 90% of US airports are municipally owned, most operate at a deficit and require taxpayer subsidies. Last year ABIA lost $55 million during the pandemic. It received a grant from the CARES Act to cover operating losses. The question is – why do municipal utilities and airports operate so inefficiently?
Money and Politics – Political Campaigns
Now that the 2020 election is over, it is a good time to think about solutions to the broken system that we have for electing our public servants. I think everyone of any political persuasion would agree that the main problem with politics today is the influence of money.
Term limits for politicians – get involved in the primary election process
As 2020 has finally come to an end, certainly everyone must be frustrated with our federal elected representatives. After Congress finally passed a bill in late December to provide relief for the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and to fund the federal government for the 2021 fiscal year, President Trump refused to sign the bill for almost a week.
Waterloo to Austin 