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October Chapter Meeting Summary – Keep Austin Affordable
 As we heard from Elliott McFadden, Campaign Manager of Keep Austin Affordable, and City Council Person, Kathie Tovo, at our October MFSA meeting, the need for these affordable housing funds in Austin is great. Keep Austin Affordable is a coalition of over 70 business, faith and community leaders supporting the $65 million affordable housing bond package on the November 5, 2013 ballot. Partnering with private and non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Housing, Foundation Communities, and Meals on Wheels and More, the program has built thousands of attractive houses and apartments all over the city. It’s also renovated and repaired existing houses to help seniors stay in their homes. http://keepatxaffordable.org/
The Austin American Statesman says “When myths are separated from reality, there is both a moral case and business case to be made for approving publicly-financed bonds for affordable housing… The bonds are a solid investment that will yield far more in dividends than what they cost in taxes.”
The Austin Chronicle endorsed the affordable housing bonds saying “These are worthy investments providing long-term affordability at a diverse set of incomes. The nonprofit LifeWorks, for example, acquired property and is building new housing for young people transitioning out of foster care, and Green Doors purchased duplexes, fourplexes, and apartment units to rehab for low-income residents (housing stock that might otherwise have been replaced by high-end apartments or condos). Austin’s explosive growth demands more creative action on affordability – on all fronts.“
Sample Ballot: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/2013-sample-ballot.pdf
New Voter Photo ID Requirements are in effect. You will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before you will be permitted to cast a vote.
– Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
– Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
– Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
– Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
– United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
– United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
– United States passport
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
Your photo Identification card does not have to have your current address. The new photo ID requirement makes no determination on voter address matching criteria; therefore, there is no address matching requirement.
If you vote by mail you do not need a photo Identification. The new requirement does not change the process for voting by mail. However, only specific reasons entitle a registered voter to vote early by mail (no longer called absentee voting). You may request a ballot by mail if you:
– will be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting;
– are sick or disabled;
– are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or
– are confined in jail.
You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail from:
The Secretary of State’s office
The Early Voting Clerk in your county; or
Download an application for a ballot by mail here.
Important Links:
For more details please go to the Texas Secretary of State voting site
League of Women Voters Guide for the 2013 Constitutional Amendment Election http://www.lwvtexas.org/Voters%20Guide/2013CAVG/2013CAVG_English.pdf
Find your polling place: http://www.vote411.org/
Travis County Elections information: http://www.traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/Content.do?code=Elections
Progress Texas Voters Guide: http://progresstexas.org/sites/default/files/ProgressTexas2013BallotGuide.pdf
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Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 