Thread by @AURAatx

Our Annual General Membership meeting is happening now. Updates on #codenext and transit from our working group chairs.

Up next, Candidate Forum. #AnAustinForEveryone

Up first for candidate forum is Natasha Harper-Madison. Talking about her background & why she's running:
"we have to do better reconciling segregation (income and racially)...we need a city we can be proud of"
"every kid should have access to integrated high-quality education"

: "we need to develop in a way that is sustainable"

.@VincentHarding with an update on the Primaries next week: "go out and vote!"

.@D5Kitchen now talking about her views and why she's running for reelection:
"she wants to work for a better city for everyone. where people can live, find jobs, and raise families"
Doesn't want to see our city become a donut city.

.@D5Kitchen on housing: Saying it's important to hear from AURA and allies about our push for a $300m Affordable Housing bond.

.@D5Kitchen on transportation: We're behind as a city. If we don't come together as a community, we'll be in the same place we were in 2014. We need a plan that the community as a whole is comfortable in for the (potential) 2020 bond election.

.@D5Kitchen on #CodeNEXT: "we've got to have a better way of managing our growth"
"we desperately need to change our code. we need to come together but we have a lot of work to do. I don't support what's in front of us right now but I think we can get there if we work together."

.@D5Kitchen on CAMPO and the question of how many/most projects are spent outside the city limits:
"we need to rebalance on the types of projects we're doing. we need some roads projects but we need transit, TDM, etc."

.@D5Kitchen on CAMPO /2: "the representatives from outside the city haven't been as focused on transit. we need to help them understand how transit can help them"

.@D5Kitchen on Land Use and Transit: "it's hand in glove." "we need options to get around." "there's a certain amount of density that we need for high capacity -specifically- transit"
"we have to make sure that our corridor improvements are aligned with our transit improvements"

.@marianasalazar running for D1 on why she's running:
"I'm deeply invested in seeing the community thrive"
"from residents to new-comers"
"people that are new shouldn't [be excluded]"

.@marianasalazar:
'we need abundant housing, robust transportation access, jobs'
"we're going to continue growing, we have to grow smarter....we must reverse sprawl"
"density has to be part of the equation so that we can address

.@marianasalazar "we need to update the code to allow density"
"CodeNEXT should also address {housing} that can't be handled by the market"
"[D1] has
"we have to think through this with a lens of equity"

Supports the $300m affordable housing bond.

.@marianasalazar On transit:"a long term investment in transit is [imperative]"
'building more roads isn't enough'
'we need to work on Vision Zero, sidewalks, and bicycle master plan'
"my campaign vision is very similar to AURA's, I want an inclusive city. An Austin for Everyone"

.@MayorAdler up now on why he's running for reelection: Running for reelection for some of the same reasons he ran 4 years ago, saying there's still a lot of problems that need to be fixed.

.@MayorAdler wants to see a significant transportation bond in 2020. Austin takes the heat for being [progressive] on many issues at the State level. Also at the national and international stage as well.

.@MayorAdler question, where should we be providing housing for the growth:
"it's near impossible to f
"we have to build housing supply in the city. we need to build supply, I believe mostly on the corridors and near the center of the city"

.@MayorAdler "we need additional downtown areas; we see that happening now with the Domain"

on what An Austin for Everyone means to him:
"we have a vibrant community in part because we have a diverse city"
Says in SF with high housing, only the rich and the people subsidized can afford to live there.

.@MayorAdler saying that for him, An Austin for Everyone is: "a diverse community, that has representation in the community. A city that can provide opportunities for everyone."

Up now, @kathietovo on why she's running:
Acknowledging that she has a different view on some policies but wants to focus on where she thinks our views align. Says that we need renter protections for affordable housing developments that the city has agreements with.

.@kathietovo discussing the importance of right to return and right to purchase protections. Proud to have worked to allow co-op developers compete for Affordable Housing funds.

.@kathietovo on homelessness, it's one of her office's main policy priorities. Mentioning her district has 40% of the homeless population.

Question to @kathietovo if she supports Co-ops in the "R" zones:
Supports (+) density along the corridors. Those are natural areas for co-operatives. In West Campus, co-ops have been a success. But saying she'd need to judge on a case by case basis. That zoning is contextual.

.@kathietovo saying she supports density along transit lines because it helps people get around the city.

.up next is @Danielle4All, D9 candidate. Because we're growing quickly, we're experiencing housing and transportation issues.
"how do we move people into and out of the city? we can't build our way out of this from a highway perspective"

.@Danielle4All: "I am approaching the campaign to learn about the city that I love."

Talking about childhood experiences in Philly. How exciting childhood life in a vibrant city was.

"How do we get to a place in which we can build high-capacity transit?"

.@Danielle4All: "Best thing we can do for affordability is to improve mobility for all of Austin"

Question to @Danielle4All about co-ops in "R" zones:
"I look at co-ops and say, why would we not allow them wherever people live? parking, noise, and other objections are separate questions to address"

Question for @Danielle4All regarding displacement/gentrification around the city:
"we need to make sure all people have the tools to stay in their neighborhood."

.@Danielle4All continues:
"for a property owner, that means supporting ADUs. Adding more places for people to live throughout the neighborhoods. Allows people to better afford increases in property taxes."