{
"type": "rich",
"version": "1.0",
"provider_name": "Action Network",
"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
"html": "",
"author_name": "Austin DSA",
"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/austin-dsa",
"title": "Stop the Cops Defunding Us! - Call your City Council Member",
"thumbnail_url": "https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg",
"description": "80% of voters in Austin voter for the Austin Police Oversight Act, demanding the city's secret records of officer discipline be opened, known as the "G-file". On October 24, the City Council is set to vote on a $220M police contract which would grandfather in the secrecy of the G-file, and its cost would force huge budget cuts to workers in EMS, Fire, social workers, librarians, lifeguards, parks, and city departments across the board. We need your help to pressure your Council Member to ensure they vote no. Call your Council Member this week: ** means had endorsed the Austin Police Oversight Act / Yes on A, No on B Find your City Council District here D1: Natasha Harper-Madison**: 512-978-2101 D2: Vanessa Fuentes**: 512-978-2102 D3: Jose Velasquez**: 512-978-2103 D4: Chito Vela**: 512-978-2104 D5: Ryan Alter**: 512-978-2105 D6: Mackenzie Kelly: 512-978-2106 D7: Leslie Pool: 512-978-2107 D8: Paige Ellis**: 512-978-2108 D9: Zo Qadri**: 512-978-2109 D10: Alison Alter: 512-978-2110 Mayor: Kirk Watson**: 512-978-2100 ~ Introduce yourself and let them know you are a resident of their district, and why you’re calling ~ I’m deeply concerned about the nature of this police contract and ask the Council Member to send it back to the bargaining table because it does not have the accountability and transparency we need to keep us safe. We voted 80% for Yes on A, No on B and we need the G-file to be open. **(The Council Member endorsed Yes on A, No on B, and) the APA had admitted the G-file would be grandfathered in. We also know the Chief Labor Relations officer, Sarah Griffin, who the City hired from the law firm, Rampage Law, alongside Lowell Denton, negotiated this contract with the APA, not against them. Rampage Law defends police against civil rights lawsuits in cases of wrongful death and police brutality. So we know we can't trust Sarah Griffin's claims about the G-file, and she even reiterated to City Council that she is not their lawyer. Is the Council Member send the contract back to the bargaining table and ensure the status of the G-file is fully open and consistent with the APOA? Is the Council Member aware that Rampage Law (Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal Santee & Zec) is the same law firm the City of Uvalde hired to deny justice to families of the children who were massacred by a school shooter in Uvalde while their police stood by and did nothing? This is the most expensive police contract in history and would not only require tax rate elections year over year, but would also require huge cuts to city workers and departments while the city’s wage study showed officers already are the highest paid in the state. With a permanent floor increase as per state law, what city departments would you advocate to cut in order to pay for this if the Council Member votes yes? Do you think prioritizing police over paramedics, social workers, alternative first responders, libraries, parks, pools, road maintenance, and more would make us less safe or more safe? Points to specific Council Members' offices: D2: If she votes Yes, how would Council Member Fuentes ensure there is enough funding to not just fund, but expand the Family Stabilization Grant Payment program? Families are really struggling and I was really supportive of the Council Member in her championing of this program, but I am concerned it would be cut if the city is locked into this police contract. D3: If he votes Yes, how would Council Member Velasquez ensure there is enough funding for Harm Reduction? Opioid overdoses are increasing and we need to keep our neighbors alive. I was really supportive of the Council Member and his focus to ensure the city provides funds for this, but I am concerned it would be cut if the city is locked into this police contract. D4: If he votes Yes, how would Council Member Vela ensure there is enough funding for Emergency Rental Assistance? Families are really struggling and I was really supportive of the Council Member in his championing of this program, but I am concerned it will be cut if the city would be locked into this police contract. D5: If he votes yes, how would Council Member Alter ensure there is enough funding for rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and the other initiatives he's brought forward to Council? I am so grateful for his focus on this, but I am concerned they will be on the chopping block if the city would be locked into this police contract. D7: I know Council Member Pool is a champion for women's rights, but I am really concerned about how the G-file has been used to cover up instances of rape. I am also worried about how the police department's license plate readers may be used to track people seeking an abortion. If she votes yes, how would she reconcile these contradictions? D8: If she votes Yes, how would Council Member Ellis ensure there is sufficient funding for the City's Vision Zero goals which she is such a champion of? Particularly with the I35 expansion aligning with this contract, there will be increased maintenance costs and we need our pedestrian and accessible infrastructure improved. I am really worried these would have to be de-prioritized if the city were locked into this police contract. D10: If she votes yes, how would Council Member Alter ensure there is sufficient funding for the promises made to the firefighters, to increasing EMS funding, to Victims Services Counselors, and to not just funding but expanding our Office of Violence Prevention and alternative 911 first responders? I know the Council Member won't be on the dais for much longer, but I know she cares about making this budget work even past her term ending. I am really worried these public safety initiatives would be cut if the city were locked into this police contract.",
"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/forms/stop-the-cops-defunding-us-call-your-city-council-member"
}