Is Austin Really Liberal? Unraveling the Myth

The popular notion that Austin, Texas, is a bastion of liberalism might be more myth than reality. If the city’s progressive initiatives are persistently thwarted by state intervention, can Austin genuinely be considered a liberal stronghold? Let’s delve into three prominent instances where the state’s actions have overridden Austin’s progressive ambitions, casting doubt on its liberal reputation. In this article, we’ll examine three notable instances where Austin’s attempts to implement progressive policies were stymied by state intervention. See detailed discussion here. 

First Instance: Defunding the Police

In 2020, Austin made headlines by significantly reducing its police budget, slashing it from $434 million to $292 million. While the city insisted this was a reallocation rather than a cut, the move redirected $121 million into new funds aimed at decoupling police functions and reimagining public safety. This reduction led to the elimination of overtime and the cancellation of cadet classes, even as Austin’s population continued to grow. Consequently, the number of active police officers dwindled, prompting the Austin Police Department to recommend using 311 instead of 911 for non-urgent crime reports.

This unprecedented shift did not sit well with Governor Greg Abbott. He dispatched Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers to assist with patrols and pushed through legislation that penalized cities reducing police funding by freezing their property tax revenues. To avoid these penalties, Austin had to restore its police budget, resulting in the 2022 budget that surpasses 2020 levels and increasing annually since then.

Second Instance: Enforcing the Abortion Ban

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the power to regulate abortions reverted to individual states. Texas was swift to implement one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. However, the Travis County District Attorney publicly declared he would not enforce these laws, creating a significant conflict between local and state authorities. In response, Austin introduced the GRACE Act, which aimed to deprioritize the investigation of abortion-related cases and prevent city funds from being used for such investigations.

The state’s countermeasure came in the form of House Bill 2127, which barred local governments from enacting any ordinances or regulations exceeding state laws. This effectively nullified Austin’s attempts to mitigate the impact of the state’s abortion ban. Despite promises from local officials, medical providers in Austin refrained from performing abortions due to the severe penalties, including hefty fines and the potential loss of medical licenses.

The political ramifications were profound, leading to a petition for the removal of the Travis County DA. This ongoing saga underscores the limited success of Austin’s progressive policies in the face of state opposition.

Third Instance: Handling of BLM Protests and Related Legal Actions

The Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, sparked by the death of George Floyd, brought significant unrest to Austin. Protesters clashed with police outside the downtown station and blocked traffic on I-35. Reports of projectiles and Molotov cocktails hurled at officers led to the use of tear gas and non-lethal bean bags, resulting in injuries. The Travis County DA chose not to press charges against the 57 arrested protesters but instead pursued charges against 21 officers for excessive force. Most charges were eventually dropped, with one case ending in a mistrial.

The DA’s next target was Daniel Perry, a ride-share driver who, during a protest, shot a demonstrator allegedly pointing a rifle at him. Despite Texas’s robust stand-your-ground laws, Perry was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, this conviction was short-lived as Governor Abbott issued a full pardon, marking another setback for Austin’s liberal advocates.

Reflection on Austin’s Political Climate

The persistent intervention by state authorities in Austin’s local affairs raises significant questions about the city’s liberal identity. While Austin’s headlines might suggest a progressive haven, the reality is that these policies often fail to materialize or are swiftly overturned. Is Austin truly a liberal city, or is its liberal image merely a façade? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated with our latest content.

More Valuable Insights

The political landscape of Austin is a complex subject. The following resources offer an array of insights into the Austin political landscape. One thing they all agree on is that past stereotypes are obsolete. To see academically derived graphs of Austin’s political characteristics compared to other cities, look at page 54 and page 55 of the following article: Representation in Municipal Government

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