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Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax, left, listens as Mayor Kirk Watson speaks at a City Council meeting last fall. If city leaders continue to ignore residents’ opposition to higher taxes and fees, voters should seek new management in future elections, a reader says.<\/p>\n
Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
More of the same<\/p>\n
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Re: July 14 article, \u201cAustin\u2019s $6.6B budget plan raises costs\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Recent coverage of the ongoing budget discussions suggest Austin leadership has yet to take to heart their constituents\u2019 recent resounding rejection of property tax and other fee hikes occurring in the context of the\u00a0Statesman\u2019s reporting of dubious, wasteful spending.<\/a><\/p>\n Despite this, we now learn relatively little is being proposed in the way of cuts, with the bulk of the $26 million deficit covered through higher taxes and fees.<\/p>\n We also learn that for some reason, homeless programs are one of the sacred cows not to be considered for cuts, despite hundreds of millions spent to date with at best very modest progress.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Statesman\u2019s recent coverage\u00a0documents overdue required annual reports<\/a> on what is actually being accomplished after this massive expenditure.<\/p>\n It\u2019s tempting to conclude this foot-dragging is quite deliberate as efforts are underway to maintain the status quo at the never-ending expense of struggling Austin taxpayers.<\/p>\n If our leaders continue to ignore our clear messages and give us more of the same, we\u2019d do well to seek new management in future elections.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Rep UT pride on rail cars<\/p>\n Re: July 17 article, \u201cCity approves first phase of train deal\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Having first walked the Drag along the University of Texas campus in 1944 and again as a student in the 1950s, I think the light-rail system will be a blessing.<\/p>\n However, a firm requirement should be the vehicles must be burnt orange and white.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Merrill Whitehead, Wimberley<\/p>\n A conceptual rendering shows what the inside of Austin\u2019s future light rail trains could look like. A reader says the\u00a0rail cars that will run near the University of Texas should be required to be\u00a0burnt orange and white.<\/p>\n Austin Transit Partnership<\/p>\n Labeled conservative<\/p>\n<\/p>\n