ANC releases Council scorecard

Last week, the Austin Neighborhoods Council voted to endorse the group’s former president, Laura Morrison, for mayor. They also endorsed another former ANC activist, Kathie Tovo, the incumbent in District 9 who serves as mayor pro tem.

In addition, ANC endorsed Bobby Levinski for the open District 8 seat. He is a former aide to both Morrison and Tovo as well as former Council Member Jennifer Kim.

In District 1, the group also endorsed Vincent Harding to take the seat currently held by City Council Member Ora Houston. In addition, the group endorsed Susana Almanza to replace her brother, Council Member Pio Renteria, in the District 3 seat.

Longtime ANC official Mary Ingle told the Austin Monitor that the group has taken no position on the city bond package or on two controversial propositions, J and K.

ANC members also released a Council scorecard that shows the percentage of times each Council member voted in alignment with ANC’s platform and resolutions.

The issues ANC rated included affordability for low- and middle-income families, neighborhood self-determination, safety and gentrification, responsible and equitable growth, water conservation, environmental protection and flood mitigation, transparent and equitable government process, and enhancing equitable economic opportunity.

Houston got the highest score at 86 percent, and Tovo and Council Member Alison Alter both scored 85 percent. Council Member Leslie Pool was not far behind at 81 percent.

ANC found that Mayor Steve Adler voted in accordance with its preferences 67 percent of the time. Council Member Ann Kitchen got a 60 percent rating, while Council Member Jimmy Flannigan got a 57 percent rating.

The three Latino Council members all got lower ratings, with Council Member Delia Garza at 53 percent, and Renteria and Council Member Greg Casar both scoring 52 percent. Retiring District 8 Council Member Ellen Troxclair got a 48 percent rating.

Obviously, these Council members have a very different point of view about affordability and helping low-income families in particular, as well as different points of view on the other issues ANC considers important.

Photo by John Flynn. 

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