In-District Charter Proposal Heads for Final Vote
“Travis Heights Innovation School Project ….is a collaborative proposal developed by the neighborhood, the school itself, employee union Education Austin, and local nonprofit Austin Interfaith. It would still be the same students and same staff on the same campus: However, rather than taking edicts from AISD central administration, the campus would have a governing board with parents, teachers, and a seat each for Education Austin and Austin Interfaith….”
Austin School Board Considers…, Austin American Statesman
School Board Discussing Charters, IDEA, KUT News
Community Backed Charter in Travis Heights Goes to the Board, Austin Chronicle
The Future of Travis Heights Elementary School, Fox News 7
Travis Heights Elementary Applies To Become a Charter School, YNN Austin
Austin Interfaith Celebrates Progress on Living Wages
“A diverse mix of Labor Union representatives, city and county elected officials, faith-based organizations and advocates for fair wages and working conditions came to the Workers Defense Project office Tuesday night…to celebrate a move by the county regarding tax incentives, a move many are hoping the city of Austin will follow.
“We really feel a company that’s not willing to pay $11 an hour isn’t a very good candidate for an incentive…” said Bob Batlan with Austin Interfaith.”
A Celebration of a Change in Tax Incentives in Travis County, KVUE News
Austin Interfaith Leaders Celebrate Living Wage Proposal
Leaders celebrated the 3-1 passage of a living wage proposal by the City of Austin’s special committee on economic incentives. In partnership with member institutions Workers Defense Project and the Laborers International Union of North America, ”one-hundred construction workers and their allies were at city hall for the meeting, marching for something they’ve asked for time and again—a living wage….Austin Interfaith’s Jim O’Quinn says that’s why [Austin Interfaith] backs a push for standards companies must meet before they can get tax breaks from the city.” The measure, which will come before the city council in upcoming months, needs four votes to pass.
[Photo Credit: Jay Janner, Austin American Statesman]
Living Wage at Heart of Overhaul to City Incentive Program, YNN Austin
Travis County to Require $11 Hourly Wage for All Incentive Deals; Austin Weighs Similar Requirement, Austin American Statesman
Travis Heights In-District Charter Proposal Moves Forward
“Travis Heights is looking to partner with Education Austin and Austin Interfaith to start an in-district charter model allowing the school to have more autonomy. The school would focus on curriculum with its dual-language program, service learning model and a piloted blended learning program that incorporates digital media, Carstarphen said. “They’re not asking for more money; they’re asking for more flexibility….”
AISD Board Discusses Potential Academic, Facilities Recommendations, Community Impact Newspaper
New In-District Charter Would Need Teacher, Community OK, Austin American Statesman
AI Northeast Neighborhoods Block Liquor Sales Near Reagan High School
When the owner of a local liquor store petitioned to be allowed to sell alcohol 50 feet near Reagan High School, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Austin Interfaith leader Oralia Garza de Cortes responded quickly. Within days she contacted members of her congregation and Northeast Austin neighborhood associations to inform them of the proposed variance and mobilized local troops to fight the proposal. In coordination with eight neighborhood associations of Northeast Austin, grandmothers, teachers, pastors and other concerned citizens quickly rallied and succeeded in getting the proposal pulled before Thursday’s vote.
Follow the Props and the Money, Austin Chronicle
Protesters Stop Beer Sales Near Reagan High, YNN News
Group Protests Sales of Alcohol at Store Near Reagan High School, FOX News
Neighborhood Protests Sale of Alcohol Near Reagan High, KVUE News
South Cluster Leaders Block Liquor Sales by Travis High School
When leaders from Austin Interfaith’s Southside Cluster Wildflower Church, Kurt Cadena-Mitchell and Edie Clark, learned that Speedy Stop had applied for a variance to sell alcohol at the Exxon Station directly across the street from Travis High School, and next door to Wildflower, they quickly began organizing to oppose the variance, forming a coalition that included Wildflower Church, Travis Heights Elementary, Faith Presbyterian Church, Faith Child Development Center, South River City Citizens, and Texans Standing Tall.
Austin Interfaith Increases Voter Turnout in Traditionally Low Voting Precincts by 85% and 131%: East Austin & Dove Springs
As of Saturday evening, Austin Interfaith increased early voter turnout by 65%, and final voter turnout by 85%, in the same precinct in which it hosted the largest event of the election season as well as substantial GOTV efforts by several Austin Interfaith congregations
On April 29th, Austin Interfaith held the largest assembly in the city with 500+ organization members at Mount Olive Baptist Church; the church is located in Precinct 124 in East Austin. Early voter turnout increased by 65% compared to 2011 council election turnout and by 9:30pm Saturday night had recorded an 85% increase over final election day turnout from 2011. These increases in raw numbers of voters were the result of coordinated efforts by Austin Interfaith member congregations in East Austin. Efforts included pulpit announcements to vote in several eastside congregations, GOTV walks held by 24 leaders over two weekends and phone banking involving a team of 9 additional leaders from downtown congregations
Austin Interfaith Leverages Commitments on Incentive Deals & Electricity
At an assembly with 504 Austin Interfaith delegates, candidates for City Council and Mayor committed to raising electricity rates no higher than 20% for congregations and to broaden assistance to people with limited incomes.
Candidates were also challenged about publicly funded incentives, as Austin has been the center of high-profile incentive deals in recent years. Austin Interfaith got all candidates to commit to setting a wage standard for permanent (and construction) workers ranging between $11-20 per hour. Candidates also agreed to a community study and dialogue with Austin Interfaith to determine what constitutes a living wage in Austin.
Candidates for Sheriff and US Congress also committed to working with the organization.
Early Voting Begins in Municipal Races, KXAN
Austin Interfaith Fights Energy Rate Hike on Churches & Poor
“Church leaders are banding together to fight a proposed Austin Energy rate increase that they say will hurt their ability to help the poor in the community.
Thursday morning, Austin Interfaith gathered and spoke during public comments to let the city council know they oppose the increase. ‘This could affect the community of faith’s ability to do the ministries they need to do,’ said Pastor Fred Krebs of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in East Austin.”
Austin Churches Unite to Oppose Energy Rate Hike, KVUE News
Austin Interfaith Statements, Austin Channel 6 [Citizen Communication Start at 0:30 & 20:25; Also at Item 107, Part 3 at 33:46]
Be Heard Today on Electricity Rate Increase, KUT
Austin Interfaith Fights for Higher Wages in City Subsidy Deal
Leaders piled into City Hall to ask City council members to raise the minimum workers would be paid. Says Garcia,”When we’re using public funds we’ve got to bring in jobs where families can at least afford to eat.”