Ann Kitchen

City Council, District 5

Campaign Website

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With Council’s decision to end CodeNEXT, how do you envision moving forward to update Austin’s land development code?

I continue to believe that a new Land Development Code that reflects shared values and meets the challenges of a …

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How will you help address the affordability problems in Austin?

Access to housing and transportation are key to affordability in Austin. I have led efforts to ensure the implementation of …

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How will you address Austin’s housing shortage? What regulations will you change to allow more housing where people want to live?

I have led efforts to ensure the implementation of Austin’s new Strategic Housing Blue Print which is designed to increase …

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What is your vision for the future of high capacity transit in Austin?

The people of Austin and Central Texas have an urgent need for real choices about how they get around. Our …

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Moving forward, what role should dockless mobility play in Austin?

Dockless bikes and scooters offer another opportunity for people to move around without requiring an automobile. This experiment potentially offers …

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What steps will you take to support modernization and digitization of operations within the City of Austin?

As the former executive director of Central Texas’ Health Information exchange (Integrated Care Collaboration), I understand how best use of …

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What do you see as the City’s responsibility toward addressing the digital divide in Austin, and what steps would you take to bridge that divide?

The city has a responsibility to address the digital divide in Austin, and work with community nonprofits like Austin FreeNet …

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How can the City support the continued growth and success of Austin’s tech sector?

One key aspect of ensuring the long-term growth of the tech sector is protecting and fostering the livability of the …

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How can the City better work with Austin’s tech community to bring innovative approaches to civic challenges?

Both the city and the tech community need to be proactive, reaching out to each other and engaging on civic …

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Where should we be allowed to build multifamily apartment buildings? Should we allow it in more places in central Austin?

There are many types of multifamily apartments and I believe introducing more building types would benefit our city and result …

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Will you consult with us on appointments to the Planning Commission and Cap Metro Board of Directors?

Yes.

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Do you support more by-right zoning entitlements?

Yes.

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What is your position on homestead exemptions?

Because many Austinites on fixed incomes are caught in increasingly expensive homes, I support the homestead exemption as one of …

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How would you maximize the efficacy of the $250M affordable housing bond (assume that it passes)?

A key goal will be to refine the Strategic Housing Blueprint Implementation Plan this year to ensure that the funding …

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What can the city do to lower average rents or at least decrease the rate of growth of average rents?

In our fast growing state, cities are limited in the tools they have to impact rental rates. A few fast …

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How can we maximize transit ridership and decrease reliance on cars?

I serve on the Capital Metro Board and strongly support building a high capacity transit system for the people of …

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What three items would you most like reform in our current zoning code?

Housing, corridor development, and flooding and green space.

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Why do you identify as a Democrat?

I believe my background in labor, social work, public service law, and healthcare is part of what it means to …

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Please share your experience and involvement in the Democratic Party in Travis County.

I have been active with Austin Democratic political and community campaigns since the 1970’s. I have supported more democrats than …

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Affordable housing is a major problem in Austin. Large numbers of people who work in Austin cannot afford to live in Austin. Many families are moving outside the city to find affordable housing. Do you have any ideas to help create more affordable housing or to make existing housing more affordable?

I have led efforts to ensure the implementation of Austin’s new Strategic Housing Blue Print to increase housing access and …

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Although Austin has remained a relatively safe city, there have been far too many shootings of African American men. What kind of changes would you institute at APD to reduce the number of officer-involved shootings and reduce the degree of mistrust that exists between the African American community and the police?

The last proposed police contract was not accepted by the Council and I voted with my colleagues to continue negotiations, …

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A respected University of Texas study has found that Austin is the only high-growth city that is losing African Americans, both in terms of numbers and percentage of the total population. Do you consider this a problem? If so, what would you do to reverse or stabilize the decline?

Yes this is obviously a problem. I believe this is the result of the accumulation of decades of decisions and …

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Rising property taxes are a growing concern. There are a number of people who believe taxes are high because the city provides not only essential city services (police, fire, etc.) but non-essential services (social service contracts, education funding, etc.) If elected, how would you prioritize what is or is not an essential city service?

The Council passed the 2019 budget this week and I believe the strategic priorities of the council are reflected in …

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Which Democratic value speaks to you most?

Caring for others and believing that everyone deserves a high quality health care. Over the years I have worked in …

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