Austin City Council Agrees to Put Climate Bond to Voters, but Not This Year
Austin Will Vote on the Bond in ’25 or ‘26
AUSTIN, Texas—The Austin City Council today moved forward on a bond proposal that, if approved by voters, would provide funding for the Austin Climate Equity Plan. The plan aims for net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Advocates had pushed to place the bond question on the ballot this November, but the council opted to instead move it to 2025 or 2026.
Kaiba White, climate policy and outreach specialist in the Texas office of Public Citizen, issued the following statement
“Today’s action signals a recognition by the Austin City Council that the Austin Climate Equity Plan goals are only possible with proper funding. While it’s disappointing that voters won’t get a say on the bond at the ballot box in November, this community is committed to making the comprehensive climate implementation program a reality. To be clear, Austin doesn’t have unlimited time. Global climate change won’t wait for an election, nor will the dangerous heat waves and other extreme weather events Austinites have come to expect. Austin must do its part to tackle this problem.”