Panhandling in austin

It’s no secret, panhandling has become a hotly debated topic among city officials. Austinites seem to have varying and passionate opinions about the matter, as well.

Current Austin city ordinance applies to only certain areas of the city, including the downtown business district. Recent actions taken to expand the ordinance throughout Austin have been declared unconstitutional for the second time in less than three years, upholding the right to constitutionally protected speech.

According to research, as many as 1 in 7 buy alcohol and drugs with money they panhandle. So giving money often perpetuates the circumstances that have led to homelessness. Don't misunderstand - not all panhandlers are homeless, nor are they all drug abusers or alcoholics.

In an interview for KXAN, Wayne Krause with The Texas Civil Rights project was quoted as saying, “It’s important not to attack the symptoms, but to get to the roots of the problem of homelessness.”

So what should the city do to make real change? First off, the media need to continue to bring attention to the issue, because that creates awareness, which leads to activism. Secondly, a program is needed to educate tourists and residents about panhandling and an alternative means to help. I propose that Austin city officials model a program put in place in Portland, Oregon, called “Real Change, not Spare Change”. The program, a service provided by the Portland Business Alliance, offers education and an opportunity to interact with panhandlers through a voucher program, while supporting service agencies. It’s a win-win situation for those in need and helps tourists and families feel more comfortable.

By redirecting donations from panhandlers to targeted social service/treatment response systems, strengthens the capacity of agencies to provide food for the hungry, shelter and housing for the homeless, mental health support services, and substance abuse recovery services for those challenged by additions.

The Portland program uses decommissioned meters placed in various places throughout downtown, in which change can be deposited. The funds are collected on a monthly basis and directed to the service agencies. Also, a voucher program is in place, where citizens can purchase vouchers that can be redeemed for showers, transit and clothing. The vouchers are 25 cents, are available in books of four, can be purchased at various locations around the city, and given to panhandlers instead of spare change. Critical to such a program’s success is constant education and renewed efforts to publicize the program.

The idea is not to drive the homeless out of our city, but to address the problem in such a way that gets everyone involved. After all, this is our city.

$1 billion error caused cash crunch

Austin's toll roads definitely help decrease commutes for many Austinites. I don't use them frequently, but on the occasions that I do, I really appreciate their existence.

One might assume that since the toll roads opened last year, TxDOT is well on their way to paying for their construction. However, in an announcement made early last month, TxDOT stated that they will not accept any new contracts. This sent up a red flag to Texas legislators. Four days later, the department's executive director, Amadeo Saenz, Chief Financial Officer James Bass and three transportation commissioners spent three hours answering questions in an unusual, out-of-session joint meeting of the Senate Finance and the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security committees.

TxDOT officials told lawmakers that agency planners mistakenly counted $1.1 billion of revenue twice, which caused them to commit to more road projects than the agency could handle. The balance sheets and data provided by TxDOT left legislators perplexed and suspicious. The state auditor's office is expected to act quickly.

One of the interim charges of the Texas State Senate Committee on Finance is to "Study the effectiveness of cash management strategies of the state." Well done, Senators; this is a fabulous example of accountability. Despite his hostility during the stern questioning, former Austin Mayor, Senator Kirk Watson, was really paying attention! I love to see my tax dollars hard at work. Thank you to our legislators for giving us something to applaud them for. Austin's toll roads are a lovely addition to our growing city, so let's make sure that the entire project is successful from beginning to end.

To see Ben Wear's article in the Statesman, click here: $1 billion error caused cash crunch