Mayor Steve Adler and Council members Greg Casar, Ann Kitchen and Leslie Pool celebrated the passage of what Austin Interfaith leader Rabbi Alan Freedman called a "living budget" alongside organization leadership the day after it passed.
As a result of much public action and collaboration, the City of Austin will now pay their workers an increased living wage of $13.03 per hour (up from $11.39) and for the first time will include temporary AND contracted workers in that wage standard. Workers employed for at least 12 months will additionally qualify for healthcare benefits. (Employees of private corporations receiving public subsidies will also benefit from the wage increase.)Austin Interfaith furthermore celebrated additional wins in areas impacting workers, children and families:
- $350K in increased investment to expand access to long-term job training program Capital IDEA by 70 slots,
- $3 million in added investments in parks, pools and libraries,
- $684K for AISD parents support specialists,
- $520K for Primetime after-school programming, and
- $1.6 Million for property tax breaks for seniors and disabled homeowners.
Austin Interfaith leaders celebrated the historic living wage win and publicly thanked the Mayor and council members in attendance for their effective work as "budget champions."
[Photo Credit: Ashley Goudeau, KVUE]
Setting an Example, Austin Chronicle
Council Wrap Up: Unpacking Council's Brand New Budget, Austin Chronicle
Point Austin: A Living Budget, Austin Chronicle
Lideres de Austin Celebran Aprobacion de Presupuesto, Telemundo
Why Public Health, Social Service Funding Surged in the Austin Budget, Austin American Statesman [pdf]
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