Prop 1

As eligible voters make it to the polls this week for early voting or this coming week on November 2^nd, I urge all fellow Austinites to vote for Prop 1. Proposition 1 will provide renovation to many transportation faults in infrastructure around the city. It will mainly focus on repairing roads, providing wider sidewalks, and making more bicycle routes without having to raise taxes. If passed, the government will issue 90 million dollars in bonds in order to relieve some congestion and inaccessibility that is prevalent in the city. More specifically, the money will go towards building sidewalks, crosswalks, and planting trees on the east side of Riverside drive. They plan on taking advantage of the low construction costs because of the recessional prices are around 30 percent lower. Also, they plan on extending the hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake 1.1 miles to the east.

Critics argue that the creators should have separated this bill into two sections because it is combining a traffic issue with a parks and recreation issue. Also, they disputed that they should be voted on separately. I think the creators were full aware of doing this because they sought after the people that want to relieve the traffic related matters first and foremost. It is like when Congress adds earmarks to certain bills that pass through the House of Representatives and the Senate. I do agree with that opposing opinion, but this proposition is better than not receiving financial backing for the infrastructure repairs. Even though there are additional valid arguments, I still don’t see anything negative as a result of this proposition. In the short term it will create more construction jobs for the unemployed and in the long term it will help alleviate the emissions that plague the environment.