,  IndyAustin View All Reponses >>

Will you pledge to propose an ordinance or charter amendment to end the practice of the Chamber of Commerce or any other private trade association from negotiating public subsidy deals for the City of Austin without a super-majority vote of the City Council? — like the one going on right now for bringing the Amazon H2Q to the Austin area? (Note: This IndyAustin blog linking to the Austin Bulldog on the secretive Amazon negotiations by the Greater Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and Amazon for the City of Austin.) Rate your support on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most support and 1 being the least.

Kathie Tovo

City Council, District 9

No negotiation by the Chamber of Commerce or any other group has standing until the Council votes. I do not support proposing an ordinance for a super-majority; having explored this possibility in the past, I have learned that an ordinance requiring a super-majority can be waived by simple majority, so the ordinance would not have force. I have not engaged in discussions regarding the possibility of introducing a charter amendment to require a super-majority vote for public subsidy deals and will need to reflect further on that proposal.

Rate your support: 6

View All Reponses