Prop 1 Open Thread (Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth: mortgage, find a job, income)

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Those neighborhood associations aren't making anti-Prop 1 media buys, nor are the council candidates (they're busy with their own campaigns.

I'm pretty sure Aura is low budget as well. If you follow the money, it's the sources listed. That's not a red herring, it's a simple fact.

So tell us all about this "millionaire roads maintenance contractor" that you claim is "making anti-Prop 1 media buys". Since "it's the sources listed", should be easy. Right?

And since you are making the case it's all about the money - and "not a red herring" - exactly how much has the Austin Tea Party donated?

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by scm53

So tell us all about this "millionaire roads maintenance contractor" that you claim is "making anti-Prop 1 media buys". Since "it's the sources listed", should be easy. Right?

Well, among others (anti-Prop 1 is from a few big money donors)

Proponents, opponents raise big bucks on Prop. 1 - Austin MonitorAustin Monitor

Jim Skaggs. Chairman of the Alamo Group. Who makes road maintenance equipment.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Jim Skaggs. Chairman of the Alamo Group. Who makes road maintenance equipment.

Besides the fact that Skaggs isn't the biggest contributor - a widow is - Alamo makes mowing equipment mainly, primarily for agricultural purposes. And doesn't do "road maintenance contracting".

And - despite the inference of road maintenance riches - Skaggs made his money as chairman of Austin's first NYSE listed company, Tracor:

In 1994, he was presented an Austin area ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award for Tracor’s success and Tracor was one of Fortune’s 100 fastest growing companies in the U.S. In 1998, the American Electronics Association presented him its Austin area ‘Lifetime Achievement in Technology Award: “In recognition of his significant contributions toward establishing Austin, Texas a world-class technology center.”

So -

Not a penny given by the Austin Tea Party
Biggest donor is a widow
PAC Treasurer isn't a "road maintenance contractor"
PAC Treasurer is a former Austin high tech CEO

And none of this is a red herring?

[sojourner77]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Yes, it does. Transportation is one of the main factors of affordability.

On average, a car costs (purchase, upkeep, fuel, insurance) $10k per year. Anyone who is enabled to go car-free, or a couple that can go from 2 cars to 1, sees that savings. That's a _huge_ increase in affordability.

The people living downtown don't need cars - maybe we should try recreating this walkable, self-sustaining scenario throughout the city. It would be a lot cheaper than building a $600MM rail line, wouldn't it?

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by sojourner77

The people living downtown don't need cars - maybe we should try recreating this walkable, self-sustaining scenario throughout the city.

And transit is how you do that. That's the whole idea of the Highland development.

[Austinite101]

I'm gonna go vote in a couple of hours. I'm voting yes on Prop. 1

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Yes, it does. Transportation is one of the main factors of affordability.

On average, a car costs (purchase, upkeep, fuel, insurance) $10k per year. Anyone who is enabled to go car-free, or a couple that can go from 2 cars to 1, sees that savings. That's a _huge_ increase in affordability.

But they cannot go car free. Not even close. They will need a car to drive to the rail station. And then anywhere else they need to go for the hundreds of things that people need.

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by sojourner77

The people living downtown don't need cars -

Yes, they do. I know several people who live downtown and they all have cars. You would lead a very shallow and restricted life if you had no cars.

[sojourner77]

Originally Posted by Roadking2003

Yes, they do. I know several people who live downtown and they all have cars. You would lead a very shallow and restricted life if you had no cars.

B-Cycle, personal bicycles, walking, Car2Go, Uber, Lift, and Taxis cover all that. No need to actually own an automobile. I know people living in NYC (Brooklyn and Manhattan), and people who own cars are the exception.

[ATX Wahine]

This thread is teeming with socialist undertones.

Who the hell is anyone here to suggest what another individual does or does not need?