Bio:
Eugene Sepulveda now runs the Entrepreneurs Foundation (www.givetoaustin.org), serves on several foundation and CBO boards, was CFO for a semiconductor company and taught business at UT the last 7 years. He's married to Steven Tomlinson. Eugene's bl
It would be hard to find a more qualified new council member than Chris Riley. Austin born and raised, congressional page for Jake Pickle, economics grad from Harvard University, UT law degree, attorney with Tx Supreme Court and private practice since.
He's chaired the Downtown Commission, the Planning Commission, co-founded the Alliance for Public Transportation and Austin CarShare. Founded the Downtown Neighborhood Association and is a member of the Parks Foundation Board. He's a lifelong progressive with a proven track record in Austin.
Perla - beautiful, committed and a compelling life story. Obviously, would represent an addition to the council's diversity (woman and Hispanic). Though, there is NOT a single mutual friend with whom I've spoken who doesn't agree there is NO comparison between the intellectual fire power between the two. Chris is very smart, experienced and knows the city's intricacies.
We need Chris Riley on the Austin City Council. He's shovel ready.
An important community leader wrote me yesterday - still making up their mind on who to support - and asked me to articulate how I'd decided to support Brewster McCracken for mayor over Lee Leffingwell. I wrote:
Why am I supporting Brewster for mayor over Lee? It's about leadership, vision, ambition and courage. I'll admit right off that Lee has the fourth attribute in abundance. I've appreciated his willingness to support what he believed to be the right position even knowing that it might disappoint friends and supporters.
So, the latter of the four qualities, they both possess. And, I believe Brewster is the runaway winner on the first three.
Some people say (especially his opponents' paid team) Brewster is at a disadvantage in building council coalitions. This isn't true. Look at his record of passing important City of Austin initiatives; it's strong. And, I've spoken with several of the other council members who agree Brewster has and can bring together votes to pass ordinances. Whether he's a bit brusque or less than warm at times doesn't prioritize for me. This isn't my experience, but I hear it cited. Nevertheless, I think the test of whether you'd most like to have a beer with someone has - thankfully - finally, lost credibility.
Vision - you're an insider. I know you have a good perspective on this. Lee's smart, deliberate and thoughtful, and vision hasn't been his strong suit. I agree that during the last 3 weeks, his campaign is putting out talking points and positions which give him more depth in this arena. These have also been crafted after Lee's disastrous statements suggesting retrading our economic development contracts with major employers and not recruiting new major employers - fortunately, both positions since retracted. Brewster's vision (& leadership bringing together collaborative partners) is prodigious.
Ambition. I've come to look for this in good leaders with very tough times ahead - think it comes from working so closely with entrepreneurs the last 26 years. You're one; you know. Sometimes that drive for self fulfillment through success and advancement is the only thing that can keep you in the race despite pessimism all around and/or when you are emotionally and physically exhausted. Wouldn't work (for good of community anyway) if it wasn't coupled with an impassioned ambition to make things better for our communities. You and I agree there isn't any debate about the good motives of either Brewster or Lee. I do have questions about Lee's ambition and drive - heck, he had to be drafted into the race for mayor. How sustainable is his drive and will he work for us 24/7? Brewster is like the Energizer Bunny; he doesn't know but to work 24/7 for the rest of us.
I know you've been disappointed by Brewster's votes at times. And, I realize you and others feel betrayed by the Loew's vote for instance. So you know, I think this represented pragmatism over what we all might (Brewster included) have preferred. It was never that Brewster wanted to support Loew's over protecting the aquifer or supporting friends to whom he pledged support on this issue - quite the opposite. But, he was convinced (and advised by city and other attorneys) that it was an unwinnable court battle that would cost the city millions and that we'd still lose. Lee's made the same call several times, and, yes, I know you've voiced equal disappointment and anger toward him. I value their bottom-line-realistic pragmatism over ideology, when the latter is unwinnable. The city's needs are too many and financial resources too scarce to pour them into battles we can't win. I'm all for going to the mat when it's do or die, however.
I don't doubt where either candidates' heart lies. Brewster is still committed to as green, as dense, as affordable and as economically vibrant a caring community as you and me. I support Brewster for mayor because he's the best candidate to help us preserve AND enhance Austin's quality of life.
You gotta be kidding me? Our city negotiates in good faith with businesses to invest in our community. The investments are made and now two usually thoughtful council members are talking about "asking" for a retrade of the business agreement, effectively suggesting Austin rescind its agreement with these investors? And, one of these members wants to be our next mayor, our representative nationally????
This is NOT the reputation that will help Austin weather the economic storm, become a leader in alternative energies, attract other job opportunities nor retain our favorable bond rating. I hope mayoral hopeful Lee Leffingwell and Council member MikeMartinez (former firefighters union president) will rethink this and retract the proposal.
Additionally, though I know both owe the police and firefighters' union for their endorsements, I hope they will rethink their proposal that these two groups (both the highest paid in our state) be exempt from bearing any part in fiscal tightening. To instead propose closing libraries, park services and further cutting back critical human services in order to protect those who have endorsed them is not responsible and is not leadership.
(Eugene writes from Wester Michigan where he's canvassing for Obama. He'll be in Chicago on Election Night which should be exciting. He shares his thoughts on local Prop 2. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
What's Prop 2? It's commonly known as the Stop Domain Subsidies referendum. Bottom line, it's about Austin keeping its word and honoring a signed agreement. I know it sounds incredible, but the proposition would force Austin to renege on a signed, enforceable agreement - without just cause. You can imagine the costs this will exact on Austin's reputation, in our future economic development and our operating budget as our bond rating is likely to go down.
The voter referendum includes two parts. The first would prevent tax abatements on future retail projects. These are already prohibited by current council resolution. So, it's really about Austin keeping it's word. It wouldn't only impact the Domain agreement, it threatens the Robert Mueller development as well.
Lots of noise aside, the Stop Domain Subsidies campaign is misleading. I have personally walked through every one of the Prop 2 proponent's points with the original developers and spoken with City representatives. The developers and owners have met the contract's conditions. The founder of the Stop Domain Subsidies Campaign knowingly lies about the terms and results. (I know this is strong language but I'm sick and tired of this unaccountable, political BS - ends evidently justifying the means - this is a wingnut approach rather than progressive).
The City of Austin is benefiting from higher than projected sales on the project. The abatements, which come from future sales & property tax proceeds, are capped and Austin is reaping a greater than forecasted return on this investment. Brian will respond about $37mm vs $64mm and about $500 psf sales - the reality is that the agreement is about a $20mm present value investment, it's capped. Won't go a dime over $20mm and the City of Austin is making a huge return on this investment in higher than expected sales taxes and surrounding property values.
Former Mayor Pro Tem Betty Dunkerley and ABC Pest Control owner Bobby Jenkins are chairing the Keep Austin's Word Campaign. They too have confirmed the honesty & compliance of the contract and are similarly concerned about Austin keeping its word. Here's a link to Betty Dunkerley's and Bobby Jenkins' announcement of the campaign to oppose Prop 2 http://www.statesman.com/news/...
The tax abatement agreement didn't subsidize national retailers; it financed infrastructure allowing the developer to build a dense, mixed use project. In 2003 when this was approved, Austin was in a significant real estate recession. Developers couldn't finance mixed use projects. Central Texans were expressing their preference for higher density, mixed use. This is why the City of Austin agreed to invest in the project, to help the developer finance significantly higher infrastructure costs. We would have otherwise had a traditional, retail project - lots of black top parking and separate residential, retail & office buildings.
The City Council approved the agreement in 2003 because Austin was in a funk, mixed use developments couldn't be financed and Austinites were expressing through Envision Central Texas that we wanted mixed use, transit-oriented, high-density development.
(Please note the change of date! - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Obama Supporters:
Join us for a Senator Obama Fundraiser on June 11 (changed from June 9) from 5:30 to 7pm at the home of Amy & Kirk Rudy. Tickets $250, sponsors $1,000, host committee $2,300 (or raise $2,500).
We've also launched the Austin Obama Leadership Council. Founding members have agreed to raise at least $2,500 for the June 11 fundraiser and include: Sara Crowell | Ian Davis & Amy Everhart | Justin Day | Michael Feferman & Rachel Hull | Matt Glazer | Dan Grant | Jason Heffron | Ramey Ko | David Kobierowski | Joseph Lapp | Karl-Thomas Musselman | Cis Myers | Beverly Reeves | Amy & Kirk Rudy | Cathy Tabor | Jason Thumlert | Justin Smith | Tom Terkel | Steven Tomlinson & Eugene Sepulveda | Alexa & Blaine Wesner
(Great opportunity for those in Austin. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Austin's planning a June 9 Senator Obama fundraiser featuring the campaign's chief strategist, David Axelrod. Tickets start at $250 with sponsorships at $1,000 and $2,300. Individuals who sell ten tickets will be listed as host committee members and receive a complimentary invitation to the event in a private home from 5:30 to 7:00.
At a happy hour this Thursday (May 22) Obama '08 National Finance Committe Member Kirk Rudy will address a group of younger supporters - including Ian Davis & Amy Evarhart - willing to sell 10 tickets, serve on the host committee* and become part of an Austin leadership team. Anyone interested in joining us and who can commit to selling ten $250 tickets, please email me at eugene at abporter.org.
Obamamos!
Eugene Sepulveda
Obama '08 National Leadership Council
*individuals must be vetted by the national campaign before listing as host committee members
(BOR has endorsed both Jennifer Kim and Randi Shade. We wish this election didn't have to be as negative as it has been at times, but understand politics is politics. - promoted by Burnt Orange Report)
The ethics of local campaigns continue to deteriorate. The Culleton /Meeker ads and Jennifer Kim's inauthentic jibes about Randi Shade's supporters, who, as the AAS reports, Jennifer first solicited.
Some of my dear friends - some with whom I helped launch LiveableCity - are misled in their choice of which candidate will help protect & balance neighborhoods, jobs, the environment, our quality of life. I've held back in my comments re: Jennifer because we've been friends. However, compounded by the hypocrisy reported today, I will point out, Jennifer's teetering leadership of the Affordable Housing Taskforce - to which she appointed me - waffled between supporting affordable housing advocates to in the end being wowed by opponents of affordable housing for downtown. Only after Randi entered the race did Jennifer work to get the watered down recommendations to the council dais and to include downtown affordabiity requirements.
Today we read that she personally solicited the support of business leaders who, having turned her down, she now condemns. Jennifer's lack of maturity (exhibited in her council relationships, tantrums at traffic stops & airport security, and most recent challenges with truth telling) is a liability. Regrettably, she hasn't grown in her position as you'd expect - well, at least not until the last few months when she's had an oppponent.
Randi's been an authentic political progressive for the 15+ years I've known her. She's an enlightened, successful internet entrepreneur who understands that Austin's quality of life - Barton Springs, our neighborhoods, our funky unique culture - give us the competitive advantage to maintain a healthy & vibrant economy. She doesn't recreate herself according to the political winds.
McCain would win the general election if the superdelegates overturned the Democratic pledged delegates and popular vote favoring Obama to seat Hillary as the nominee.
Too many younger and African American voters would feel disenfranchised, that the system had once again been gamed. They wouldn't show up for the general. Plus we'd lose many moderates and independents. Given the math* and barring a 65% delegate win for HRC in all the remaining primaries, Hillary Clinton can no longer win the general election.
* Obama: 1,404 pledged delegates/Hillary 1,243 pledged delegates per CNN and 566 delegates remaining
Remaining primaries**:
Pennsylvania (April 22) 158 delegates
Guam (May 3) 4
Indiana (May 6) 72
North Carolina (May 6) 115
West Virginia (May 13) 28
Kentucky (May 20) 51
Oregon (May 20) 52
Montana (June 3) 16
South Dakota (June 3) 15
Puerto Rico (June 7) 55
pending: resolution of Florida & Michigan
** Real Clear Politics
btw, I didn't realize Democrats in Florida's House & Senate overwhelming supported moving the primary date. I'd been hearing it was shoved down their throats by the Republicans; however, the bill to move the Florida Primary earlier in the calendar was passed by a vote of 118-0 in the House and 37-2 in the Senate. I'm much less concerned about seating their delegates given this information - not opposed but less concerned.
If Barack Obama wins tonight, I do not believe it's against women. It's for Barack Obama. It might even be against a Clinton. But, it's mostly not against Hillary. It's certainly not against women.
A friend dropped by on Thursday. She hadn't decided for whom she'll vote. She's supported both Barack and Hillary with the maximum contributions. She did, however, point out anti-female rhetoric. I hadn't heard it. Of course, I had; I just wasn't listening with the same ear. Sorta like after I told my father I was gay. He called a few days later and asked if I realized how many gay jokes people tell daily - and asked how he should respond.
While in West Texas this weekend, we heard cowboys talking supportively of Obama & Hillary - really, this made us pause and give thanks. We also heard Mexican school teachers, county clerks & hotel cleaning staff talking about Hillary and talking about those little old Mexican men referring to Esa Mujer. And, there's a different tone in the voice of people when they speak about Obama.
This election is about change. And what McCain and Clinton don't get is that it's about change in the type of politician as much as about change in circumstances, military tactics, policies and certainly rhetoric. And, here's where Hillary won't win. She's probably the very best "politician" today, certainly the very best candidate of the traditional political mold. We would have been so much better with Hillary as president during the last seven years. And, we'd probably be better with a woman as president our next eight years, a woman if she weren't such a traditionally formed pol.
I wish Obama was a black woman so that a win tonight would inspire and empower both my black and female friends. I'm voting for him in large part because I'm sure he will inspire and empower all of us, even many Republicans, Canadians, Africans, Europeans, Jews, Christians, Muslim . . . .
In this morning's AAS, they condemn Rep. Dawnna Dukes and reluctantly endorse Brian Thompson.
No surprise in the condemnation of Dawnna Dukes for poor leadership, ethical lapses and questionable business practices, AAS long known for championing ethics.
I'm surprised by the reluctance of their endorsement for Brian Thompson, noting earnestness but citing vagueness. They also cite support focused on unseating Dukes because of her support for Craddick.
First, much of Brian's support is absolutely because of Dawnna's votes for Tom Craddick as Speaker and because of her past reliance on his financial support and the support of right-wing kingmaker, Kerry-swiftboat-funder, Bob Perry. Many of us would not support a white male - gay or straight - against an African American in District 46 if it wasn't for Dawnna's misbegotten political alliances and her ethical lapses. Brian himself acknowledges he wouldn't be running against Dawnna otherwise.
The characterization of Brian as vague about his legislative ambitions for the district also a surprise. And, I'm not sure being unclear on Texas law governing employment of police officers who live outside the City of Austin is a good benchmark for which issues are within "the realm of city government and which are the domain of state government."
I've spent hours with Brian and he's clear about legislative ambitions & priorities for District 46. And, he's learning as he's meeting voters, influencers and other supporters. Admittedly, in my overall assessment I do allow for the fact that he's never worked at the legislature and that he's only today 28 years old.
I also know he's smart, a fast learner, capable and ambitious on behalf of his district. He graduated from UT Law School with honors, from LSU also with honors, he's a successful litigator at a major Austin law firm (McGinnis Lochridge), serves on the Austin Human Rights Commission, volunteers for the Political Asylum Project and he works tirelessly - rising at 4 to put in a day's work at the firm and campaigning way into each night.
I enthusiastically endorse Brian as a very good Texas House representative for District 46.
