07/23/2026
Thank you to Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes for continuing to stand in support of the essential basic needs that comprise the safety net for many of the most vulnerable in Austin. We stand in solidarity with you in support of One Voice Central Texas.
Sixty years ago, Head Start gave millions of kids their first shot at a strong future. Government invested in families like mine, and it worked. During President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, the official poverty rate fell from nearly 20% to 11% within a decade. But inefficiency didn’t kill its progress. It was austerity, or a policy choice to disinvest.
Austin now faces a similar decision. Last week, the City Manager released his proposed budget, which confirms what many of us feared: Nearly $17 million in social service cuts are on the table. Although spreading cuts across two years instead of one softens the immediate impact to our safety net, it won’t reduce long-term pain.
These aren't abstractions. SAFE Alliance will need to turn away survivors of domestic violence. Families already on months-long waitlists for children's services will wait even longer. Families on the edge of eviction will have fewer options. Our most vulnerable neighbors will bear the heaviest burden.
That’s why I, with support from the Public Health Committee I chair, set up a community-driven process to guide how any cuts are assessed, grounded in community priorities, real impact data, and the expertise of on-the-ground service providers working every day. Clear, strong community engagement is our best chance to ensure our budget reflects the true needs of the People of Austin.
In the weeks ahead, City Council will decide what kind of city Austin wants to be. I'm urging my colleagues to fight like hell for the families who, now more than ever, need someone in their corner.
Read my full thoughts 👉🏽 bit.ly/3Tz81QV
RSVP to our town hall next Wednesday 👉🏽 forms.gle/KA5xj4WJQRqkBRxu5
