A blue dot in a sea of red, the blueberries in the tomato soup, the Blue-Headed Stepchild in a nuclear family of blondes – Austin’s progressive politics against Texas’ broader conservative backdrop often brings it to the forefront of today’s most pressing issues.
From short-term rental regulations to protesting your property taxes, this episode dives into what’s happening at Austin City Hall and how it impacts everyday homeowners. Taylor Smith is the Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the Austin Board of Realtors, the largest trade association in Central Texas. He represents 17,000+ realtors and helps shape the local housing policies that affect homeowners across the region.
Miriam Shoenfield is a board member for Rethink 35, an organization dedicated to fighting the Texas Department of Transportation's plan to expand I-35.
Greg Anderson is the current Director of Community Affairs for Austin Habitat for Humanity and an urban studies lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin. He previously served as the Policy Director for Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole.
Immigration is at the forefront of American politics, and Austin, Texas is no different. In this episode, Sam sits down with Glenaan O'Neil, the Legal Operations Manager at RAICES, an organization on the front lines of the immigration fight. Sam and Glenaan touch on subjects ranging from the dehumanization of immigrants and the challenges of the legal system to immigration overhaul and ways to get involved.