Leaders of Austin Interfaith joined a press conference hosted by Councilmember Delia Garza to demand more priorities like Capital IDEA job training, parks and after-school programming like Victory Tutorial and Primetime for children.

Said Tom Mendez, "We do not want to hear that the budget is tight -- if it's so tight you should not have given a tax break to the few."

[Photo Credit: Deborah Cannon / Austin American Statesman]

Budget Strives to Address Council Directives, Austin Monitor [pdf]

Typical Austin Homeowner Could Pay $150 More in Taxes, Fees Next Year, Austin American Statesman [pdf]

At last month's assembly, resident leaders of the Heights On Congress apartments told stories about their concerns with relocation now that the property owner is seeking permission to rezone.  The children of those residents belong to Travis Heights Elementary School, whose PTA reached out to Austin Interfaith for help in developing a plan with the owner and developer that will serve the interests of the residents and their children.  At the assembly, they secured the support of the Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo and AISD trustees.  In photo are local leaders Angie Gonzalez of the Oak Creek Village Tenants' Association and Rev. Brian Ferguson of Wildflower Church.

[Photo Credit: Jana Birchum, Austin Chronicle]

Heights on Congress Start Organizing: City, Developer Discussing Relocation Plan, Austin Chronicle

Austin Affordable Housing Crisis, Fox News

When Torchy's Tacos re-submitted a two-year old bid to sell alcohol within 300 feet of Fulmore Middle School, they forgot to take into account the lasting power of Austin Interfaith.  Leaders from neighboring Travis Heights Elementary PTA, St. Ignatius Catholic, Oak Creek Village Tenants Association and St. David's Episcopal Church were already organizing around funding for after-school programming and maintaining affordable housing in communities near the school when apartment complexes are redeveloped.

The night before Torchy's petition for a permit waiver, 200 parents, school staff and community leaders assembled with school board members and city councilmembers to leverage their support for affordable housing, after-school programming and, now, reaffirmation of City law against alcohol sales near schools.  On stage, Mayor Pro-Tem Kathie Tovo and AISD Trustees Paul Saldaña and Jayme Mathias all pledged to oppose the variance.

Within hours, Torchy's Tacos released a press statement promising to "withdraw and refile" their waiver request.  Said Rev. Brian Ferguson of Wildflower Church in response: "We are glad, for the moment, that alcohol is not going to be sold close to the school," but "the law says you can't sell alcohol within 300 feet.  This has gone on for two years..." Leaders are prepared to continue the fight if they refile.  

[In photo: Rev. Bill Wack of St. Ignatius Catholic speaks to audience.]

Torchy's Withdraws Request to Sell Alcohol on Congress, Austin American Statesman [pdf]

Facing Pressure, Flagship Torchy's Drops Alcohol Waiver Request, Austin Monitor

Torchy's Bid for Alcohol Permit Takes a Hit from Officials, Faith Group, Austin American Statesman

Council: Burning Daylight, Austin Chronicle