FY 2026-2027 Proposed City Budget

Encouraged full funding for community violence interrupter programs based on firsthand experience with ATX Peace near Travis High School.

Criticized administrative spending in the Equity and Inclusion Office, mobility contracts, and social service cuts.

Requested increased city investment in immigrant legal defense services following a family detention incident.

Asked the council to invest in affordable housing and legal support for immigrants.

Called for funding violence prevention, workforce development, and immigrant legal services rather than police increases.

Expressed concern over planned cuts to workforce development programs for individuals returning from incarceration.

Stated that cutting social service contracts, CVI, and reentry programs is contrary to community safety and well-being.

Highlighted the positive impact of CVI on Burton Drive and urged the council to view these investments as non-negotiable.

Praised the 3:00 p.m. public hearing time for accessibility and urged genuine consideration of public feedback on the budget.

Urged the council to fully fund community violence intervention programs and reject proposed budget cuts to gun violence prevention efforts.

Advocated for investments in early childhood education, home-based child care support, family stabilization grants, and immigrant support services.

Urged the council to prioritize essential public services, maintain a 17% general reserve fund, and act as fiduciaries to taxpayers.

Expressed concerns regarding police oversight accountability and delays in public library renovations, suggesting funding adjustments.

Called for a living wage increase for temporary city workers and restoration of training stipends and dental insurance.

Spoke on the vital role of harm reduction services and crisis response teams in supporting unhoused and vulnerable residents.

Highlighted how the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance saves public dollars through early health interventions and de-escalation.

Raised concerns about transparency in city leadership compensation, real estate impacts, and the need for better communication with working-class residents.

Sang a testimony urging the council to protect social services and avoid balancing the budget on the backs of low-income residents.

Shared personal testimony on the success of ATX Peace and community violence intervention in driving down citywide homicides.

Argued against increasing the police budget while cutting social services and housing funds, supporting the Community Investment Budget coalition.

Shared how Life Anew helped her develop conflict resolution skills and asked the council not to cut youth and social service budgets.

Requested adequate funding for animal services to simultaneously achieve open intake and no-kill standards.

Cautioned that cutting preventative community violence and youth programs merely shifts greater costs into the future.

Asked the council to oppose proposed reductions to health and human services and provide program-level impact analyses for all cuts.