✈️✊What could be more exciting than bringing more direct flights out of Austin? How about a partnership that creates well-paying union jobs! On 12/11, Council will vote to approve an incentive program for Southwest Airlines, which is expanding at ABIA and creating 2k new jobs.

In response to the hateful & wasteful SB 8, the so-called "bathroom bill", we’re doing things the Austin way: w/ compassion and common sense. With our latest resolution, we can protect the privacy and dignity of our transgender  &  non‑binary community members.

My statement on the outcome of Prop Q:

Read about the City's response to the Federal shutdown, with resources for food access, utility bill relief, and healthcare services in our latest newsletter. 👉 tr.ee/GCNSaR

⚠️ Disaster Declaration: Severe Draught and Fire Weather Conditions Austin & Travis County are currently in a “flash drought” – 43 days without rain and counting. On Oct. 20th, Mayor Kirk Watson and County Judge Andy Brown declared a local state of disaster.

Big transit news for North Austin: Construction on CapMetro’s newest Red Line station — North Burnet/Uptown Station — kicks off next month! This is a major step in Project Connect’s vision for a more connected Austin. (1/2) communityimpact.com/austin/north...

Our statement on the detainment of Austin veteran aboard flotilla from MPT @vanessaforatx.bsky.social and CM's Vasquez, Vela, Laine, @cmzoqadri.bsky.social, and @mikesiegeld7.bsky.social.

As a longtime civil rights lawyer, I take an allegation of racial discrimination seriously, but the announced DOJ investigation seems to be very much off the mark.

Austin resident and veteran Greg Stoker is part of a coalition bravely carrying food and supplies to aid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I proudly join CMs Qadri and Fuentes and Congressman Doggett co-signing a letter demanding his safe passage.

At the Housing and Planning Committee, our office co-sponsored a report from BASTA Austin showing evictions in Travis County are high and increasing. We're committed to working with BASTA and other advocates to protect renters from these stressful and destabilizing circumstances.

Lots of support for public health on this week’s Council agenda! 🗒️ These are some of the highlights from the August 28, 2025 meeting:

📧 New District 7 Newsletter out now! In this issue: What's in the newly adopted budget?

This Thursday’s Council meeting is one of the most important moments of the budget cycle and could determine the health of our City’s finances for years to come. We need to hear from you -- read more in our latest newsletter! mailchi.mp/austintexas....

Federal cuts to social service and safety net programs – cutting health care, cutting food benefits, cutting all these safety net programs – put our people at risk. We must address these growing needs as a community through the budget process.

*TOMORROW* Join us for our District 7 City Budget Town Hall! 📅Tuesday, July 22nd 🕰️6 pm - 7:30 pm 📍ACC Northridge Campus 🍽️Dinner is served! RSVP Here --> forms.gle/exLAuDLmZMrH...

🚨Minor DoW Correction -- District 7's Budget Town Hall is on *Tuesday* July 22nd. 🗓️ Tues. July 22d 🕔 Food & Tabling with City Departments 6:00 – 6:30 pm Presentation and Q&A 6:30 pm - 7:30 PM 📍ACC Northridge Campus 🍽️ Food provided RSVP appreciated but not required

Earlier this year, Austin joined several other cities attempting to block a lawsuit that would deny Planned Parenthood money from Medicaid, causing thousands of people to lose access to many non-abortion healthcare services.

A well-earned congratulations to @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social on his victory in the New York City mayoral primary. Zohran's victory shows you can be uncompromising in your values when they align with working people. His message inspired a new generation to the power of collective organizing.

Peaceful protest is a protected right. @mikesiegeld7.bsky.social

Solidarity with Los Angeles and our Immigrant Communities

My statement on the rezoning of Acacia Cliffs: This was a difficult case and not an easy decision. (1/7)

📢UPDATE: Council will *not* be discussing or voting on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) this Thursday. If you signed up to speak, you do not need to come to City Hall tomorrow (Thursday) – but stay tuned.

Central Texas is creating its first-ever Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, and your voice matters! 📢 Share your thoughts through our short survey and help shape bold steps toward a healthier climate and community. 👉 Take the survey today: bit.ly/ClimatePrioritiesCTX

New location! If you’re an @afscme1624.bsky.social member, come tell us your budget priorities! 👇

I wrote an Op-Ed in the Austin Chronicle about why I’m skeptical spending money to cap I-35 is right for Austin.

ICE detained a woman in Austin as she went to her immigration appointment with no warning, no chance to call anyone, and no time to make arrangements for her 3 young children.

Working people in Austin are struggling. People don't have enough food in parts of town. They don't have affordable housing or reliable transportation. As a council, we need to consider the whole city's needs, not just downtown.

I was proud to speak at yesterday's #HandsOff2025 May Day March. In dark times, it's uplifting to see thousands from different communities all together, standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity against fascism. 📷: @kutnews.bsky.social

Capping the freeway with parks and plazas is a nice idea, but the decision to fund these caps could come at the expense of other critical investments. These consequential trade-offs make me uncertain that building the caps is the highest and best use of our scarce City funds.

For obvious reasons … a lot of people have asked me what I think about the State trying to repeal our local ordinance which decriminalized low level possession of marijuana. 🧵 (1/5)

Yesterday I spoke with @fox7austin.bsky.social about funding the Cap & Stitch proposal, with or without the 105 million federal grant that is still on hold. Capping the freeway is an expensive commitment that could mean big trade offs for other critical needs. www.fox7austin.com/video/1632379

These are some items for today’s Austin City Council meeting (4/24):

Today, the City of Austin is at the US Supreme Court to protect Planned Parenthood 🧵

As a part of the Austin's Fleet Electrification strategy, the City is exploring adding Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) into our normal operations. This is one of the models being tested: a zero-emissions garbage truck currently serving Downtown! #decarbonize #netzero

Have an active warrant or citation? Austin Municipal Court wants to help. Take advantage of the 2025 Warrant Amnesty program from Mar. 31-Apr. 25! No appointment necessary Free services Spanish interpretation available More info: austintexas.gov/Court or 512-974-4800

Our office has heard from neighbors and constituents about an immigration action this weekend at Anderson and Wooten Park, a few blocks from where I live.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend the Ramadan Open House at the North Austin Muslim Community Center this week. Education about other cultures is key to a more connected community.

Are you on our mailing list? A new issue of our D7 Newsletter is hitting inboxes soon -- sign up at the link here: tr.ee/4JcfV3C-8J

Yesterday I toured Planned Parenthood's North Austin Health Center and learned about just some of the many programs they offer. Planned Parenthood has provided free and low cost reproductive healthcare to Texans for 90 years, tallying up to 130,000 clinic visits annually.

Cold weather shelters will open overnight Sunday, Feb. 16. Go to One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road from 6-8pm to register for overnight shelter. More information at AustinTexas.gov/Alerts or call the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline: 512-972-5055. (1/2)

These are some highlights from today's City Council Agenda:

Thank you to some of our friends at @afscme1624.bsky.social for stopping by our office, and well as the presenters at New Employee Orientation for signing up our staff who were enthusiastic to join the green team!

First Council Meeting of 2025, and my first meeting rolling up my sleeves and getting to work as your District 7 representative. These are some of the Agenda items Council will discuss:

It was a privilege to begin the month of January by taking the oath to serve District 7 on the Austin City Council. The end of the month brings the first Council meeting of 2025 — can't wait to share what the District 7 office has been up to in between!