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City Cast Austin

Kelsey Bradshaw

 are calling for Cesar Chavez Street to be renamed after the 

 reported several sexual assault allegations against the labor leader last month.

The investigation says Chavez abused women and girls, including Dolores Huerta, a fellow leader in the labor movement who Chavez worked with. Fallout from the report was swift — across the country, events honoring Chavez were canceled, statues were removed, and school curriculums 

In Austin, four city council members — José Velásquez, Vanessa Fuentes, José “Chito” Vela, and Zohaib “Zo” Qadri — made a request earlier this month to change the name of Cesar Chavez Street.

Chavez died in April 1993 and that December, Austin’s First Street 

 after him The street runs west to east from MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) to U.S. 183. El Concilio Mexican-American Landowners de East Austin, a local nonprofit, originally organized a call to rename First Street to honor Chavez. Now, the group wants the street 

“It’s a lesson learned,” Gabino Fernandez Jr., an El Concilio leader with El Concilio, 

. “Going back to First Street eliminates future discoveries about individuals that could lead to the same situation.”

The council request calls for City Manager T.C. Broadnax to develop a community outreach plan on whether or not to change the street name, and how much doing so would cost. It also asks Broadnax to report back to council on May 27.

“The city of Austin is committed to upholding the dignity and safety of all people and affirms its

unwavering support to survivors of sexual violence,” the request 

We recently asked City Cast Austin readers what they think the street’s name should be and got quite a few responses:

. She’s a civil rights icon, too, and bravely came forward with her story about Chavez.

Texas musician Stevie Ray Vaughan already has 

One of Texas’ two women governors, Ann Richards, was another reader suggestion. 

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bat Bridge

Pastore was an Austin police officer who 

 to rename the road after Pastore has more than 1,500 signatures.

This wouldn’t be Austin if someone didn’t suggest Nelson. 

These are all great options, but it’s possible our reader 

 had the best suggestions: “Bessie Coleman, Simone Biles, Bonnie Dunbar, Opal Lee. ANY WOMAN!”

Austin May Change Cesar Chavez Street. Here’s 5 Name Suggestions.

What's being decided in Austin City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Austin City Council. 

Austin Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Today is the first day of early voting for the March 3 primaries and we’ve got 

🎧 If you prefer your voting guide to be audio-based, 

listen to today’s City Cast Austin podcast episode

March 3 is Texas’ primary elections, which is where voters choose who the Democratic and Republican nominee will be for a number of roles, including Texas governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and John Cornyn’s U.S. Senate seat. You don’t need to be affiliated with a party in order to vote, but you can only vote in one party’s primary.

Think of this election like a semi-final. Whoever wins, moves on to the next round. If a runoff election needs to be held, that will be on May 26.

You have a lot to consider before heading to the polls this year. A good thing to know: You can 

look up your ballot on the Travis County Clerk’s website

. Go through each race and write down who you plan to vote for – you can bring your sheet of paper into the voting booth.

has a breakdown of all the candidates running in the primaries

Local races include a number of Travis County judge and county commissioner positions, as well as house seats. The Austin American-Statesman’s Editorial Board made recommendations for the March 3 election and 

🗳️ Early Voting in Travis County Lasts 10 Days

Early voting runs through Feb. 27, but times differ:

Feb. 17-21: Polling locations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Feb. 22: Polling locations are open noon to 6 p.m.

Feb. 23-27: Polling locations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Some polling locations will be open until 10 p.m. on the last two days of early voting. You can vote anywhere with a sign out front that says “Vote here/aqui.”

. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Feb. 20. You can find 

Early voting has started in Travis County!

Your Guide to the March 3 Primaries in Texas

Austin Trivia: How Much Do You Know About Local Civics?

As immigration arrests increase in Texas and across the country, you may be wondering what you can do to help if you witness U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detaining a person.

found that daily ICE arrests increased to 176 per day during the first six months of the Trump Administration, compared to about 85 a day during the last 18 months of former President Joe Biden’s term.

Here are some tips on what you can do to get involved:

, reports that if you see someone being detained by ICE agents, you can ask ICE agents questions at checkpoints, homes, on trains or buses, and in other spaces. Ask why they may be searching vehicles, or where they plan to take the people they detain. You can ask why agents are there, and who they are searching for and why. Ask for a warrant, 

It is legal in Texas to record interactions with law enforcement as long as you 

do not disrupt or impede an investigation

. You can video tape an interaction and write down any badge numbers or license plate numbers you may see. U.S. citizens, according to United We Dream, have a right to observe, photograph, and videotape an interaction with agents.

It’s also best to listen if an ICE agent tells you to step back from an incident while you’re recording.

You can report the interaction you witnessed to 

, National immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and United We Dream. 

 across the U.S. was compiled by the National Association for Public Defense.

Legal observers are people who are trained by lawyers to record and observe interactions between law enforcement and the public, often at things like protests or rallies. The Austin Lawyers Guild hosts trainings periodically. You can 

The Truth About How Austin Police Works With ICE

You can help as a bystander if you see someone being detained by ICE agents.

How To Help Your Neighbors During an ICE Arrest in Austin

It’s election season again, and there’s a lot to know. Let’s get started:

March 3 is Texas’ primary election which is where voters choose who the Democratic and Republican nominee will be for a number of roles, including Texas governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and John Cornyn’s U.S. Senate seat. You don’t need to be affiliated with a party in order to vote.

You have until Feb. 2 to register to vote in the March 3 election. Not sure you’re registered? Check your 

The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Feb. 20. You can find 

The state’s newly redrawn congressional maps will be used during this election.

Travis County was split into four districts and 

 out of the area completely. Greg Casar currently represents District 35 and is now 

 under the new map. The district’s incumbent, Lloyd Doggett, is not seeking reelection.

👀 All Eyes Are on Talarico and Crockett

Cornyn is running for a fifth term as one of the state’s two senators in Congress and he’s facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, among 

Three Democrat candidates are also running for the Senate seat including State Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. They are scheduled to debate 

. Recent polling shows the race will be a close one, with just 

The state's primary election is coming up.

What To Know About Texas’ March 3 Election

As the number of people visiting hospitals and clinics with flu-like symptoms rises in Austin and 

Here’s what to keep in mind when it comes to the flu:

🤧 Know the Difference Between the Flu and Allergies.

Not only is it flu season, it’s also cedar fever season, and it’s pretty bad out there. 

 and it’ll get worse with cold fronts this winter. While the symptoms for the flu and bad allergies are similar, there’s 

Allergies don’t cause a fever like the flu.

Allergies improve when you take an antihistamine.

Allergies can cause itchy eyes, which is not typical of the flu and other respiratory viruses.

Symptoms of both allergies and the flu include: A stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, a runny nose, sneezing, partial loss of smell or taste, and fatigue. And, if you want to be sure, pick up an over-the-counter test.

Think you have the flu? You’re sure you have the flu? Stay home!

“If you’re feeling sick, stay home, wear a mask if you’re out of the house, wash your hands often, and speak with a doctor if the symptoms worsen,” 

 Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes.

Walkes said Austinites should seek treatment from a doctor as soon as possible, too.

We may be in the midst of flu season, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get a flu shot. You can get immunized at spots like H-E-B, CVS, or Walgreens.

 to children who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, underinsured, and American Indian or Alaska Natives, and to adults who are uninsured.

The city has two immunization clinics where children can get a vaccine for $13 and adults for $25:

Dove Springs Clinic: 5811 Palo Blanco Lane

To find free vaccines, check the city’s 

mobile vaccine program’s schedule online

Flu Cases Are Up in Austin. Here’s What You Need To Know.

If you have someone who is hard to find a gift for, this may be the list for you. Why not donate to a local organization in their name? It’s easy, benefits the community, and gets one more thing off your holiday to-do list. Here’s a list of local nonprofits to support:

Caritas of Austin works to end homelessness by providing stable housing, food services, life skills classes, and career services. You can make 

Austin Diaper Bank gives out millions of diapers, and thousands of wipes and period supplies every year to low-income families in Central Texas. You can 

 or drop off diapers, wipes, and period supplies at the bank’s warehouse, located at 2210 Denton Drive.

Central Texas Pig Rescue houses about 200 pigs that have been saved from abuse, testing, and abandonment. You can 

Central Texas Food Bank serves 21 counties in the area. You can donate to the 

 and your donation will be quadrupled through Dec. 31. You can also 

 at the bank, located at 6500 Metropolis Drive.

Keep Austin Fed uses surplus food, like catering left over from events, to help feed the community. The organization takes 

Austin Bat Refuge rescues and rehabilitates bats and provides bat education services. You can 

Texas Book Festival is free to attend because of the number of donations it receives. You can help the festival stay free by 

Casa Marianella is an emergency homeless shelter connecting immigrants with safe housing and support services like ESL classes and legal support. 

 to the organization, which opened in 1986, online.

Central Texas Tortoise Rescue saves, houses, and rehabilitates pet tortoises and box turtles before placing them in homes. You can 

The Trail Conservancy was created to help protect the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake. You can 

The perfect gift for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list! 

10 Austin Nonprofits To Donate to This Holiday Season

After the November failure of Proposition Q, which would have raised property taxes in order to give the city $110 million to spend, Austin City Council members had to revamp the city’s 

Money had to be moved around or cut without the extra cash Prop Q would have provided, and council members ended up not expanding some services like they had wanted to, and shrinking some city department budgets.

Here’s what you need to know, courtesy of City Cast Austin contributor Amy Stansbury of 

Proposition Q would have allowed the city to hire 60 new park maintenance employees to help with Austin’s increase in parkland. Even without the measure passing, the new budget allows the city to hire 15 such employees.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services also received enough funding to have a 24/7 mental health response, and some money was put toward avoiding brownouts at EMS stations. Brownouts happen when not enough people are working at a station, and ambulances can’t run. The department has a high vacancy rate right now, Stansbury said.

“This was one of the main directives – even if we have to make other cuts in other areas, we don’t want brownouts at EMS,” Stansbury said of the council’s budget process.

📉 Three Departments Saw Funding Cuts to Social Service Contracts

Austin Public Health, Austin Economic Development, and Austin Municipal Court all saw a 10% funding cut to existing contracts for social services in the new budget, which means contractors will have to figure out how to do more with less or raise the money another way, Stansbury said.

Money was also taken out of the city’s reserves to help with Austin’s budget deficit. The move is allowed, that’s what the reserve is for, but it won’t be something the city can do every year.

👀 Austin City Council Is Looking at Their Own Finances

At a recent Austin City Council meeting, members approved a 

 to work on new policies regarding council spending. Meanwhile, Prop Q opponents are gathering signatures to force an election 

multiple stories in the Austin American-Statesman

 that revealed council members were using taxpayer money too liberally. One such story was published just before Election Day.

“It certainly hurts public trust and it’s not a good sign,” 

. “I think it makes the public angry and upset. It’s like, if you’re going to ask us for money, you’ve got to tighten up your own ship.”

Austin City Council members had to revamp the budget after Prop Q failed.

What To Know About Austin’s New Budget

Proposition Q, which would have raised property taxes by roughly 20%, 

and now Austin officials are back at the drawing board to revamp and re-adopt a city budget. Here’s what you need to know:

💵 Austin City Council Passed a Budget in August With Prop Q in Mind

Let’s start at the beginning: Austin City Council members adopted a 

 in August. The budget included a plan to raise property taxes by more than 3.5%, which triggered a tax rate election.

Thanks to a 2019 law, Texas cities are not allowed to raise property taxes by more than 3.5% without voter approval.

🗳️ Proposition Q Would Have Raised Millions

If Proposition Q had been approved by voters earlier this month, the city would have raised about $110 million during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The money would have been spread out to many city departments, but the largest portion of funds raised would have gone to reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin.

 of the $110 million raised for permanent supportive housing, rental assistance, new shelter beds, and more; and $11.5 million to keep the Marshalling Yard and the Eighth Street Shelter open.

✍️ The City Now Has a New Proposed Budget

Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax released a new budget plan for 2025-26 days after the election that would still raise property taxes, but only by 3.5%. This new proposal 

 in comparison to the budget council adopted in August, like:

Roughly $6.3 million from Austin Emergency Medical Services

$1 million from the Austin Fire Department

$5.2 million from the Parks and Recreation Department

About $3.7 million would be added to the Homeless Strategy Office’s budget.

☑️ Council Members Will Vote on the New Budget Later This Month

Austin City Council members have until 6 p.m. on Nov. 14 to submit amendments to Broadnax’s new budget. A vote on the budget will be held during the 

What Prop Q's Failure Tells Us About How Austinites Are Feeling

City Council members will vote on a new budget Nov. 20.

What’s Happening With Austin’s Budget After Prop Q Failure

a measure to increase property taxes by 20%

, failed on Tuesday night. The increase would have raised $110 million to help with the city’s $6.3 billion budget. At 11 p.m., with just 19% of votes in Travis County tallied, Austinites were already overwhelmingly 

. It was also soundly defeated in the portions of Austin that lie in 

Mayor Kirk Watson called the Prop Q election even earlier, at 9 p.m., saying its failure made it clear that Austinites are losing faith in local government. 

: “Austin voters made their decision, and they did so clearly. I trust their decision. And I hear them.” [Watson]

Austinites turned out this election. Some polling locations still had roughly one-hour long waits two hours after polls closed to those who weren't already in line at 7 p.m. Early voting numbers foreshadowed a high voter turnout this season – more people participated in early voting than 

during the area’s last off-year election in 2023

⭐ 17 Constitutional Amendments Expected To Pass

, which include a ban on capital gains taxes and a measure to include language on who can vote in the state in the constitution, are expected to pass. [Austin American-Statesman]

For more on Tuesday's election, listen to the podcast! ⬇️

Austinites voted against Proposition Q on Election Day. 