7CITYCOUNCIL
In November, Austin voters will select a new City Council under a new 10-district system created to better diversify representation according to census data. As of last year’s map, St. Edward’s and most of the residential communities St. Edward’s students call home lay within District 3, the district that takes up most of east-central Austin. District 3 is arguably this year’s most exciting race, if only because of the sheer number of people running and the sibling rivalry between two of the candidates. 12 people have filed to run ahead of the Nov. 4 election. For the purposes of space, only the top four will be highlighted. Check austintexas.gov/cityclerk/elections for the complete list of who has filed to run.
Susana Almanza
Current Job: Nonprofit Director for the People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER)
Key Issues: Affordable Housing, Job Creation, Livable Wage, Equal Access to Transportation, Health Care, Education, Green Space, Cultural Arts, Youth Services
Proposed Minimum Wage: $15
Campaign Money Raised: $19,165.00
Focus on SEU Community
“Students need jobs and funds to pay their debts. I will work to invest in small business development… I will advocate for training and mentoring, incentives, access to Capitol, partnerships and City policies pertinent to employment and contracting opportunities. I will work for the creation of a Citywide Youth Employment/Internship Office to provide outreach for employment opportunities. I will collaborate with Austin Partners in Education (APIE) and universities to help increase partnership agreements for mentors with local businesses and other organizations. I will also work to provide adequate funding to establish paid internships in various City departments throughout the year.”
Eric Rangel
Current Job: Special Projects Coordinator at TxDot
Key Issues: Affordability, Crime & Public Safety, Economic Development, Environment, and Transportation
Proposed Minimum Wage: $10
Campaign Money Raised: $3,480.00
Focus on SEU Community:
“When it comes to economic development, I am for tax incentives, as long as they are warranted. However, there should be an economic analysis performed by an independent third party. Then we need to make sure that the company seeking tax incentives hire majority of their employees locally, pay fair wages, provide health benefits, and plan to contribute to the local economy before deciding on such incentive proposals. I would like to work closely not only with the many chambers in the city, but with universities, colleges, and high schools to ensure we have an educated and skilled workforce.”
Jose Valera
Current Position: Owner of Tamale House East and intellectual property attorney
Key Issues: Equitable Housing and Home Ownership, Transportation, Education, Small Business Protection and Growth, Employment and Economic Opportunity, Public Safety
Proposed Minimum Wage: Proposes tying minimum/living wage requirement to business incentives offered by the City of Austin.
Campaign Money Raised: $19,404.00
Focus on SEU Community
“I will advocate for increased affordable student housing along transit heavy corridors. In addition I will support improved public mass transit along routes frequented by students, as well as support the Austin Bike master plan to create more protected bike lanes. Lastly, I will work with small business community to create more economic opportunities for graduating students so they can stay in Austin.”
Mario Cantu
Current Position: EMT
Key Issues: Better Transportation & Mobility, Eduction, Healthcare & Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Tax Raises, Preservation with Parks, Energy & Water Needs/Conservation & Preservation
Proposed Minimum Wage: Proposes tying minimum/living wage requirement to business incentives offered by the City of Austin.
Campaign Money Raised: $5,400.00
Focus on SEU Community
“I would like to invite and sit with the student organizations and their leaders within the St. Edward’s community to identify openly what each student organization (80+ student organizations plus club sports) is encountering. Having the leaders identify their challenges including difficult and good ones is essential because there could be information we don’t know about and if we sit together we can ensure better communication and effectiveness. The degree level of students coming out of college varies so we must focus on bringing the right type of companies to Austin to expand job opportunities for our graduates as with others in need of a job.”
*Campaign money numbers come from the Campaign finance reports that all candidates have to file on certain dates during the race. These numbers come from the Oct. 6 report.
