Feedback: October 10, 2025

Proposition Quit

Dear Editor,

Regarding the recent article in The Austin Chronicle [“Higher Taxes Are on the Ballot. City Leaders Explain What They’ll Get Us,” News, Sept. 12]: Back in November 2012, the Austin American-Statesman had a similar question on its editorial page, “Five Cents for Your Health?,” basically supporting Prop 1, which would fund the Dell Medical School. Without the passage of Prop 1 and the property tax increase, it was claimed that the school would not have been built, and dire consequences would have ensued.  

I trust Kirk Watson’s motives (the Dell Medical School was part of his 10-10 goals when he was senator) as much now as I did then. Read [“Watson circumvented law to fund new medical school,” The Austin Bulldog, Nov. 1, 2022]. And how is all that money, taken from Austin taxpayers every year, helping the same homeless people that they (CMs) are trying to help?

As a member of the Zilker Neighborhood Association, I disagree with Prop Q and will not support it. I am awaiting a decision from the board president on their stance, but I believe, based on my last count, they are against it. Maybe it has great intentions, but come on, enough is enough – no mention of folks on fixed income being burdened by sheltering the homeless, a noble cause. It’s a never-ending cycle in this city of raising money by increasing property taxes. Never is thought given to raising the Austin City Tax or Transit Tax to compensate.  

But don’t think it’s just property owners or people over 65 on fixed incomes who would suffer from the passage of Prop Q; it is the renters, too! Proposition Q should be renamed to Proposition Quit. This is nonsense in the current fiscal environment, and the already unaffordable city that we find ourselves in. City Council needs to reorganize its priorities and keep the folks footing the bill center in mind, because they serve the citizens of their district.

Regards,
Paul Violand CRNA, MS

Luv Doc Love

Hi Luv Doc,

Your advice, to The Commish, this week was fantastic [“The Luv Doc: Our Corporate Tech Overlords,” Columns, Oct. 3]. Chef’s kiss.

Thank you!
Renee

UT-Austin Student Speaks Out

Dear Editor,

I am a student at UT, a junior at McCombs. 

I’m writing because I’m very upset that [UT System Chairman] Kevin Eltife publicly expressed gratitude over Trump’s recent list of demands to the university. It’s hard to focus on schoolwork when I worry that our university won’t uphold the values that we align ourselves with. 

The requirements Trump’s making related to protesting and administrative neutrality are broad and undefined. If students feel like our voices are being silenced or we’re oppressed, it diminishes the power of learning from the university. UT should be the safest place for us to discuss the hard topics when the goals of the university are to cultivate healthy critical thinking skills. Freedom of speech shouldn’t be silenced, and no president of our country should fear protesting. We need to have the ability to voice our complaints with no restraint. 

One thing we are learning in our Org Behavior class is that when companies are transparent, and when they take the criticisms and complaints of their employees seriously and actually listen and reform, companies thrive. I believe in this. In this current political climate, not only are we not encouraged to speak out when we have conflict, but we are being indirectly and directly silenced. 

The list of demands from Trump threatens to violate Title IX, the First and 14th amendments of our constitution, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It encourages discrimination and oppression of our school’s population. There are so many issues with adhering to these kinds of demands that no matter what your politics are, nobody will be immune to oppression and retaliation. 

I’m hoping that this Board of Regents can show support for students by ensuring our safety and an environment conducive to learning by requesting the university NOT adhere to any demands that oppress or silence this student body, nor the faculty and staff that support it. 

Respectfully, 

Shea Trumeter

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