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FREE JANUARY 31, 2020 VOL. 39 • NO. 22 BUT NOT CHEAP y cit g bi s, ht g ht li g bri A New Logo, a New Look, and New Insights on the Signs That Tell Us Where We Are in Austin The Evolution of Sorry, We’re Open: The Signs That Signifying the Red the Chronicle Logo Iconic Signs of Austin Show You the Way River Cultural District P.21 P.22 P.26 P.32 DISCOUNT VOTED “ONE OF AMERICA’S FASTING GROWING PRIVATE ELECTRONICS COMPANIES” 7 YEARS IN A ROW - INC. MAGAZINE 1011 W. Anderson Lane • 512-637-5727 VOTED “BEST COMPUTER 9711 Manchaca • 512-458-8612 STORE” YEAR AFTER YEAR - AUSTIN CHRONICLE 1001 S. IH35 Round Rock • 512-637-7051 70% OFF LAPTOPS + PCS EVERY DAY! Dell 3020 Dual Core Dell Latitude E6540 i7 HP ZR2740 27” Quad Slim Apple iMac i3 21.5” Windows 10 PC 15.6” Laptop HD LCD Monitor $399 $129 $349 $159 Same price online or in stores. In store pick up or next day (UPS Ground) delivery available. You won’t find these deals on Amazon or Ebay. Discount Electronics only sells direct. discountelectronics.com 4.7 94% Positive (955 reviews) austinchronicle.com JANUARY 31, 2020 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 3 Yep. Something’s Different. JANuAry 31, 2020 VoL. 39, No. 22 This week we launch a new look for our “Naked City,” which will expand the num- newspaper, including a redesigned Austin ber of stories we tell every week from Chronicle masthead – only the sixth in the every pocket of Austin. We’re throwing PUBLISHER Nick Barbaro 20 aSSocIatE PUBLISHER Cassidy Frazier Cover Story: rE:DESIGN paper’s 39-year history – and an overall more emphasis on our cover stories, giving EDITORIal style overhaul, all courtesy of Art Director them the space and thoughtful design they EdItoR Kimberley Jones NEwS EdItoR Mike Clark-Madison 21 a work in progress Jason Stout. It’s been five years since our deserve. We’re launching an opinion page aSSocIatE NEwS & QmmUNIty EdItoR Sarah Marloff The evolution of The last print redesign, and we all agreed we and welcoming readers to submit their aRftoS oRdo bJeesrst iF Caairpees Austin Chronicle logo needed a sprucing up. own op-eds – unedited and unmediated ScREENS Richard Whittaker By nick BarBaro That conversation began several years by us. (I’m pretty sure this is a first for mUSIc Raoul Hernandez 22 the stories behind wEB James Renovitch ago. That’s fairly standard here at the the Chronicle, but I could be wrong; we’re austin’s iconic SPEcIaL ScREECNINHgSR &O coNmmEUNVItyE LNIStTINgSS signs By Jessi cape Chronicle – nimbleness is not always the not great at recording our own history, as Beth Sullivan and richard Whittaker forte of print media – but the more we talk- it’s often handed down orally and with the aRtS LIStWINagySn e& Afolaond B ErveEnNnteSr 26 how we get From ed about the redesign, the more we realized heavy fug of weed.) And you’ll be hearing cLUB LIStINgS Greg Stitt here to there The we weren’t just talking about a cosmetic more from me every week, too. Consider STaff wRITERS world of wayfinding lift. That led to a lot of searching con- this column a welcome to the issue, Kevin Curtin, Michael King, Austin Sanders By mike clark-madison CONTRIbuTINg wRITERS With photos By Jana versations about what we do, how and a peek behind the curtain, fILm Marjorie Baumgarten Birchum we do it, and why we do it. These WE HAvE where I’ll try to be more trans- food Emily Beyda 32 red river cultural weren’t always easy conversa- parent about the inner work- faStERd taHya tNR SIPoSU NGde rRaaldc hEe.l MRcaLsecoode district sign tions, but they were essential AN ISSuE ings of the Chronicle. mR. SmaRty PaNtS R.U. Steinberg Decades and decades PRODuCTION of live music history on cover By Jason stout/ ones – existential ones, even – by Kimberley There’s something else new aRt dIREctoR Jason Stout Red River come repre- getty images and we’re still having them. to this page, so tiny you might PRodUctIoN maNagER Zeke Barbaro sented in the new neon In truth, nothing has changed Jones miss it: wEB dIREctoR Brian Barry cultural designation dIREctoR of dIgItaL StRatEgy Michael Bartnett overlooking the strip all that radically, not with the lay- Founded in 1981 and commit- SgtRaafPf HPIHco dtEoSgIRgaNPEHRESR SJ eJoffh Gn aAmndmeirlsl,o Sn,a Jma nSau Bmirmcheurmlin, By rachel rascoe out or with our reason for being. ted to a progressive point of view, David Brendan Hall We’re a community newspaper. The The Austin Chronicle is an independent, PRoofREadERS Lina Fisher, Jasmine Lane, Kat McNevins, James Scott, Greg Stitt changes we’ve made, we’ve made in an locally owned and operated alternative INDtE’ARnNnSu Anszaio ,C Laanutyr,e nN eGeirlagmis, BLoilhiarnaa, FHraanllc, eZsecllay effort to better communicate with the com- newsweekly. Martin, Clarissa RDoidanrieg uZeazr-aAgborzeag,o G, iSaonfniai ZToarfricilhla, 6 Feedback 48 Screens munity and better listen to the community. It’s the “who we are.” Simple, straight- aDVERTISINg & So what are some of the new features to forward. That hasn’t changed either, not SENIoaRd vaaEccRcctooICUSUaNINNrttog El EydxxnIEEmR ccPEUUhcattitlIIlovivpREREsS SC, k DJaLeaosrEsviasiild dTdR y Ki CcIFloheNrarwpdzpigeineerer,, 99 Npoientw ausstin 48 OMS mesiosccstvai orAi-enNm, lo eTimrhsiceitna iaTnnutaegr,nd sTi nS h2geh0 oR2rht0 yF tihlmms , l touorWkee ff’ovrroe m inr eotvhuierv ereedad realysni gdAn u?rg ehimtsa gofin tehde ap afpeear-, wdreeimtchai dntedhsei,d sb . urte dsoemsigenti,m oers iitn’s jtuhset gpoaosdt tfoo buner cLaSSIfMIEadriSs/aL MEgiraaLb Naol,t GIclEoSri aB oWbiblliya Lmesaotnh By michael king 54 special screenings oPERatIoNS cooRdINatoR Trace Thurman 10 public notice 56 showtimes EvENtS & PRomotIoNS maNagER Karena Rogers cLIENt & PUBLIc RELatIoNS Emily Burns By nick BarBaro ONLINE THIS WEEK mULtImEdIa Tamar Price civics 101 58 Music LUv doc/cIRcULatIoN/SPEcIaL EvENtS Dan Hardick StREEt tEam Cassie Arredondo, Kelsey Baker, 12 Death Watch; Pot or Not; Out how LGBTQIA desIGn hAs evoLved In AusTIn Beth Sullivan Hunter Bartlett, Andrea Dane, Ashley Youth Launches Curriculum for 58 Faster than sound Greenstein,Katie Rose Gurkin, Elias Huerta, charts the visual history of Austin’s LGBTQ movement in punk fliers, Morgan Menendez, Savannah Opre, LGBTQ Students; more By rachel rascoe ACnoakhai PTreerveizn,o A, lAfrlelyd Wo aRriroesn, 18 naked city 60 recommended this week queer publications, and more. NatIoNaL advERtISINg Voice Media Group Possessed by Paul James’ (888/278-9866, www.vmgadvertising.com) 36 social and cultural advocacy “ThIs Is noT A urInAL” Check out a photo gallery of playful, OffICE STaff Calendar meet at his album release; coNtRoLLER Liz Franklin plus Mortiis, Doom Forge Day, passive-aggressive, and occasionally just aggressive-aggressive offIcE maNagER/SUBScRIPtIoNS Carrie Young Gost, Alpaca, Eric Johnson, notes Chronicle staff have posted around the office. cREdIt maNagER cindy soo 38 Arts&Culture C.W. Stoneking, Stay Gold accoUNtINg aSSIStaNt Chelsea Taylor fifth anniversary, the Art of INfo dESk Zach Pearce Rap Freestyle Battle, Eclectic The sIGns Are everywhere You drive past them every day, but SyStEmS admINIStRPaLtaoyRIN Bgr atnRdIPoLnE tWSa Htkainnks 38 aanrdt Tsr aedvee Wnitths KElvaenrest, Art, Electro, and more how well do you know Austin signs? Take our quiz online. HoLdINg dowN tHE Low ENd Smiley 62 venues Perry Drake, ToCm IFaRircChiuld, lRuabeTn IFOloreNs, 3 494 Qcommmmuunnitityy B ye vsaernaths marloff 64 roadshows + live music The Q&A hoLe reTurns Watch the trailer to see which musicians Andrew Gerfers, Brandon Gonzales, Trey Gutierrez, Kevin Curtin is chatting up in season 2. Brad Jander, Suzette Johnson, Brooks Lumpkin, day trips 72 Eric McKinney, Grant Melcher, James Meshbane, Back Norm Reed, Jonina Sims, Bill Smotrilla, By gerald e. mcleod This Week on The Zeb Sommers, Bryan Zirkelbach 45 soccer watch the luv doc AusTin ChroniCle Brant BingamonC, ROobN BrTezRsnyI, bDouugT FrOeeRmaSn, By nick BarBaro comix show on kooP Trey Gutierrez, Melanie Haupt, Shelley Hiam, Sam 46 mr. smarty pants 91.7FM Hurt, Laura Jones, Josh Kupecki, Cat McCarrey, Food Gary TNMouillallfen, rdM, ,M aTroacmt tSh aTeovwlmo Mvo,r orKonawahg,r loEend, LSTarpanevcaiesr m,M Maynea,rr sMy, TiJcuehmnanaey,l 46 restaurant review 73 Classifieds BAaursbtianr oC harnodn iAclret DPuirbelcistohre Jr aNsiocnk Derek Udensi The Meteor By melanie haupt Stout join Editor Kim Jones to 78 crossword The Austin Chronicle (ISSN: 1074-0740) is published 47 Food events Free will astrology discuss the redesign and reflect on by The Austin Chronicle Corporation weekly 52 times per year at 4000 N. I-35, Austin, TX 78751. 40 years in the newspaper business. 512/454-5766 ©2013 Austin Chronicle Corp. All rights reserved. Tune in Fridays, 3pm, to KOOP Subscriptions: One year: $110 2nd class. Half-year: $60 2nd class. Founded in 1981 and committed to a progressive point Community Radio. Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, TX. of view, The Austin Chronicle is an independent, locally Past episodes at POSTTMhAeS ATuEsRti:n S Cehnrdo naidclder,e PssO cBhoaxn 4ge1s8 t9o, owned and operated alternative newsweekly. austinchronicle.com/av. Austin, TX 78765. unsolicited submissions (including but not limited to articles, artwork, photographs, EvErywhErE you want to bE in austin Austinchronicle.com/events and résumés) are not returned. 4 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 31, 2020 austinchronicle.com it S SIMPLE. JUDGEDIMPLE.COM DEMOCRAT DIMPLE MALHOTRA FOR COUNTY COURT AT LAW 4 Political advertisement paid for by Dimple Malhotra Campaign in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act; Sandra Ritz, Treasurer. austinchronicle.com JANUARY 31, 2020 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 5 Letters to the editor must be signed with full name and include daytime phone number, full address, or email address. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Letters may not be edited, added to, or changed by sender once we receive them. General email address: [email protected], Letters online: austinchronicle.com/feedback Mailing address: The Austin Chronicle, PO Box 4189, Austin, TX 78765 Open Letter tO Sen. COrnyn SLiding tOward gOmOrrah from politics and surrendered the public square Confederate Heroes Day came to exist in without a fight. The deterioration of our culture is Texas in 1931, in the Jim Crow era. Far from Dear Senator Cornyn, Dear Editor, near its critical mass; Christian involvement into honoring the soldiers that fought in Confederate I am one of your Texas constituents. I’m just John Adams wrote, “Our Constitution was the political arena is America’s only salvation. armies, this holiday was meant to reinforce the short of 86 years old. I’m a Holocaust survivor, made only for a moral and religious People. It is History will record our decisions; God racist laws and culture of the time. and I hold a Ph.D. I follow politics and have wholly inadequate to the government of any Almighty will judge them. Edmund Burke said, The Chappell Hill Bank publishes a calendar done so since my teens. other.” Adams must be turning over in his grave “The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is called “Legends of Texas.” It lists 38 important The “Contact” option on your website doesn’t knowing that in the 2016 presidential election, for good men to do nothing.” dates for 2020. The Martin Luther King national work any better than two cups of warm javelina over 25 million Christians decided not to vote. Joseph E. Bellande III holiday is not mentioned at all. That is shameful urine. Maybe you’d just like to hear from Texans Elections have consequences that affect every Chalmette, La. and racist. in person in a cafe in Ozona with your ostrich- aspect of our lives, for better or worse. Therefore, It is offensive and inexcusable for the holiday hide Tony Lamas kicked up on the table next to a Christian who voluntarily abdicates his constitu- SChOOL dreSS COde ObSOLete named after Dr. King to be co-opted by a bank the theologian Rick Perry (who believes that tional right to vote is responsible, at least to to celebrate those who enslaved his ancestors. Donald Trump is the chosen one of God). I’m some degree, for bad laws, while at the same Dear Editor, It makes a lie of the “good old-fashioned not one of your good ol’ boys with an arsenal of time can take no credit for any good legislation. I’m a 68-year-old who saw on the news the courtesy” that they brag of on their website. assault rifles in his closet, daring the female Since 1973 there have been over 60 million segment of African American boys being required Keith Miller Democrat Commie politicians to make his day. abortions; each year there are 70,000 drug to cut their dreadlocks. This is uncalled for. I’ve been watching the impeachment trial on overdose deaths, 32,000 suicides, 1.2 million A 90-year-old dress code is obsolete. Is that unintentiOnaL irOny TV, and I see that your robotic fidelity to the cor- divorces; [there is] massive human trafficking school also monitoring the female long hair? It’s rupt [Mitch] McConnell and Donnie Baby Trump along our open southern border, a $12 billion not the choice of the school to dictate hairstyle. Dear Editor, cannot be challenged by any argument, logic, or U.S. pornography industry, politicians advocating My community is a very conservative area Nick Barbaro, in the unintentionally ironic arti- evidence. As I’ve said before, I respect your sen- socialism, and much more. Obviously, America and they have enough intelligence to pick real cle, “Department of Unintended Consequences,” atorial hairdo (perfected weekly at my expense), has enormous problems which are existential issues to address. Shame on the Texas town [“Public Notice,” News, Jan. 24] actually said but I regard you as utterly unprincipled. threats to our very republic. Ronald Reagan who flaunts power like this. this: “You can’t build your way to affordability in You’ll be reelected over my dead (if slender) warned that “Freedom is never more than one If Christ walked into their school, would they a hot market. Supply/demand theory only works wallet. generation away from extinction.” judge him for hair and dress code, and suspend if demand is fixed.” Joseph J. Moldenhauer America is sliding toward Gomorrah, for the him? If people demand something, and they have the most part, because Christians have abstained No wonder we have lack of communication money to back up that demand, other people will with children when adults worry about hair- scramble to deliver the supply. I live in a housing styles. Worry about grades, social skills, kind- development where the workers are putting up ness, and generosity. houses at top speed to fill a waiting list of people Becky Varcoe wanting to buy. Every day is a flurry of activity, with Estherville, Iowa people building until it gets too dark to see. The only way this doesn’t work to relieve the ShamefuL and raCiSt demand is when politicians with Mr. Barbaro’s faulty understanding of economics crimp the Dear Editor, supply and throw up too many barriers to such Racism is alive and well at Chappell Hill Bank. highly motivated activity. In which case you wind On Monday, Jan. 20, my companion and I up with the San Francisco model, where little stopped in Chappell Hill on our way to Brenham. starter homes of under 1,000 square feet can We walked along Main Street and saw several cost a million dollars or more. posters in the Chappell Hill Bank windows stat- I await the next article in the Chron where ing that the bank would be closed that day in Nick Barbaro tells us that adding new freeway observance of Confederate Heroes Day. lanes doesn’t relieve congestion. Really? On the national holiday honoring Dr. Jim Henshaw Martin Luther King, they instead chose to honor people who fought to preserve slavery in the [Ed. note: See this week’s “Public Notice,” p.10.] Confederate States of America? OOps! In last week’s “Election Ticker: From the Dais to Round Rock,” we incorrectly reported that the Austin Firefighters Association had endorsed Erin Martinson for Travis County Attorney. The AFA has not endorsed in that race. We regret the error. Got something to say? The Austin Chronicle is launching an opinion page. We welcome readers to submit op-eds on any topic relevant to the Austin community. Find out more at austinchronicle.com/contact/opinion. 6 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 31, 2020 austinchronicle.com interns wanted Editorial | EvEnts & Promotions | Proofing & Production Dreading your internship? Consider the alternative. Apply now for an internship at Austin’s only alternative weekly. VISIT austinchronicle.com/jobs F O R M O R E I N F O R M at I O N austinchronicle.com JANUARY 31, 2020 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 7 THE MOST LAURIE EISERLOH Progressive Group The Progressive Choice Endorsements for Travis County Attorney of Any Candidate In DEDICATED REFORMER This Race! ■ When Gov. Greg Abbott tried to keep Capital Area Progressive Travis County from offering sanctuary to Democrats immigrants, Laurie Eiserloh was a key Central Austin Democrats attorney in the battle against him Liberal Austin Democrats ■ When Republicans tried to abolish North by Northwest Democrats AIDS funding, Laurie worked with Northeast Travis County State Rep. Glen Maxey to stop them Democrats Laurie Eiserloh is a lifelong union member, dedicated to workplace Pflugerville Democrats ■ Wrote anti-hate crimes legislation fairness. Laurie is proud to be Labor’s choice for County Attorney. South Austin Democrats Stonewall Democrats BRILLIANT LEGAL RECORD “Laurie Eiserloh has Victory Fund ■ 13 Point plan for criminal justice reform, spent her life fighting West Austin Democrats to more fairly protect marginalized for equality and justice. communities (see electlaurie.com) She has almost 30 years American Federation of State, County and Municipal ■ A plan to fight corporate polluters causing experience as a skilled Employees, Local 1624 climate change, and stop the backlog of attorney too.” Communications Workers of cases in the Family Violence Court America, Local 6132 – Former City Council Member ■ 27 years as a front-line litigator Ora Houston Hon. Brigid Shea Hon. Nan McRaven ■ Only candidate admitted to practice in Hon. Cecelia Burke all federal district courts in Texas, and in Hon. Debra Danburg the Fifth Circuit Hon. Margo Frasier Hon. Beverly Griffith ■ Former Assistant Attorney General; Hon. Ora Houston only candidate experienced in City, Hon. Emma Lou Linn County, and State litigation Hon. Annette LoVoi Hon. Garry Mauro ■ Only candidate Board Certified as a Hon. Laura Morrison specialist in two areas of law Hon. Bea Ann Smith Hon. Ann Teich Pol. Ad Paid for by the Laurie Eiserloh www.electlaurie.com for Travis County Attorney Campaign, @electlaurie @electlaurieeiserloh Cecelia Burke, Treasurer 8 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 31, 2020 austinchronicle.com News QuotE of thE WEEk “The longer we hide people and don’t house them, the larger our problem will grow.” – Mayor Steve Adler, early Saturday morning before joining with volunteers and reporters for Austin’s annual Point in Time Count John Anderson hEaDliNEs Capital Metro showed off its new electric buses – which can You’re So Gonna Vote The last day to register to travel approximately 150-190 miles on a 6-hour charge! – during Creative Action’s Dream Green event on Jan. 26. Aside from being vote in the March 3 primary is Monday. Not registered? green, the buses, which hit the streets as well on Sunday, feature Print out the voter registration application online art from Campbell Elementary School students depicting what (www.votetravis.com) and mail it to: Travis County exactly a “healthy planet” means to them. Voter Registration, PO Box 149327, Austin, TX, 78714-9327, or deliver it in person to 5501 Airport. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 3. encampment cleanupS reSume The city’s Watershed Protection Department announced that cleanups of homeless encampments across Austin would resume Wednesday, Jan. 29, after a holiday break. The cleanups are intended to protect people sleeping near creeks and waterways by removing litter that can increase flood risk. Watershed will give 72 hours’ notice of cleanups to anyone in the area so they can collect their belongings. InterSectIonalItY Former Texas Tribune Editor Emily Ramshaw and former “chief audience officer” Amanda Zamora announced the pending kickoff of “The 19th*” – a Tribune-like nonprofit news publication focusing on “the intersection of gender, politics and policy.” (The asterisk acknowledges that the 19th Amendment did not grant the vote to women of color.) Here comeS tHe Sun Among the provisions of Austin ISD’s new Facility Master Plan is a direction from district trustees to consider adding solar panels to the modernization of “all school buildings over the next 25 years.” According to an analysis from Environment Texas, AISD’s current solar installations will save the district nearly $5 million in energy costs and avert more than 80 million pounds of carbon pollution – equivalent to planting more than 41,100 trees. John Anderson have hitched their political wagons to that top Down, Bottom up dangerously absurd doctrine. It’s worth not- ZepHYr WIll cHuG on Idled since last year by storm ing that Article II (Section 4) also creates the damage, the Zilker Zephyr tiny train is now “perma- congressional power of impeachment, and nently closed,” its operators announced Wednesday, cit- In a year of crucial elections, we need to be prepared whatever the trial outcome, the Would-Be ing a contract impasse with the city. The Zephyr began Emperor remains only the third president its run after the Zilker Eagle was retired in 1996 for simi- As I write, the Trump presidential extortion has pressured a handful of swing ever subjected to that sanction. lar reasons. At 5:50pm on Wednesday, Mayor Steve impeachment trial proceeds in the U.S. senators to provide that majority. His GOP defenders cry, “Leave it to Adler tweeted, “The Zilker Zephyr will chug on … The Senate, a spectacle somewhere between For citizen onlookers, the trial should November,” and voters certainly need to City is already … engaged in discussions to make neces- momentous historical landmark and sound an alarm that the 2020 elec- look forward eagerly to their chance to ren- sary repairs and restore service.” pre-scripted farce. The ultimate tions might well draw a line der national judgment on Trump. Before outcome still appears determined between returning to responsi- that top-down vote can happen, Texas capItal murder, KIdnappInG Magen Fieramusca, – it seems inconceivable that PoiNt ble government and granting and Travis County voters need to focus on accused of asphyxiating Heidi Broussard and kidnap- more than a few Republican austiN license to this administration’s bottom-up matters – the upcoming March 3 ping her newborn, was indicted by a Travis County grand senators, let alone half of the definition of absolute power: party primaries. jury on Tuesday for capital murder and kidnapping. by Michael GOP caucus as required for that the president is above the removal, might defect – but the King law and neither Congress nor DEmocratic highlights tWo out of tHree In special state House elections current wrangling over the pros- the judiciary provides any sub- In the first place, if you aren’t registered Tuesday, Democrats won in Dallas House District 100 pect of actual trial witnesses is a stantive check against executive to vote, do it now – you have until Monday, (Lorraine Birabill) and Houston HD 148 (Anna East decision requiring only a simple major- tyranny. That is undoubtedly Trump’s Feb. 3 (visit austinchronicle.com/elections man), but lost the high-profile Fort Bend HD 28, where ity. Revelations of firsthand evidence – own opinion (he insists, “Article II [of the to get started). If you’re already regis- GOP businessman Gary Gates defeated Democrat Eliz via former National Security Adviser John Constitution] says I have the right to do tered, you have time to review the primary Markowitz in a race considered a potential bellwether for November – when the two are likely to meet again. Bolton – of Trump’s attempted Ukraine whatever I want”), and Republican loyalists continued on p.10 austinchronicle.com JANUARY 31, 2020 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE 9 newS � cover story � arts & culture � food � screens � music Point Austin continued from p.9 Also worth your close review are More unintended Consequences candidates – for the bulk of Chronicle the races for Travis County sheriff, readers, that will mean the Democratic county commissioner Precinct 3 in candidates – and this cycle, there will western Travis, and the two State Thanks to reader Jim Henshaw for pointing segments: Adding a lot of new luxury housing be plenty of important races and excel- Board of Education districts that out an obvious analogy, regarding my column last would lower those prices and have some effect on lent candidates to ponder. include Austin (divided at the river). week, that helps illustrate the the way classic the next submarket down, but almost none below We’ve been covering as many of The local primary races for the Texas supply and demand is distorted in the modern that, such that “the addition of new luxury housing these as we can manage (and will con- Legislature, with mostly Democratic housing market. Henshaw cites the example made relatively little difference to the rent for low- tinue), but here’s a brief bullet list of incumbents, are essentially uncontest- (“Feedback,” p.6) of traffic congestion, where it cost housing units.” Now, match that with the fact some races that bear particular scruti- ed, but the general election this fall seems the most obvious thing in the world that that “market rate” new housing in Austin is pretty ny, with reporter’s notes: will be a very different story; holding if you just build more freeway lanes, you’ll relieve much defined as being affordable for families mak- • U.S. Senate: This race for the chance on to seats gained in 2018 is an essen- the congestion. But as traffic engineers and plan- ing 120% of median income and up – that is, the to potentially unseat GOP incumbent tial first step in Texas Democrats’ ners have known for decades (Anthony Downs, top 40% of earners. Nothing’s really being built Sen. John Cornyn (aka McConnell’s quest to flip control of the state House 1962), that’s not the case. In what’s known as for less than that except government- subsidized Lapdog) features a dozen candidates, of Representatives. “induced travel,” an easing of congestion brings affordable housing. So the bottom line, counterin- the three likely most compelling to on an increase in vehicle miles traveled, in almost tuitively: No amount of new, market rate construc- local voters being MJ Hegar, Cristina The Buck STarTS here exact proportion, within a very short period of tion is going to change the price curve for the bot- Tzintzún Ramirez, and Royce West. Our News staff is working hard to time. So the wait time on the freeway returns to tom 50% of earners. (Such a building boom does • Six congressional races: Austin’s cover all of these races, and there is about the same level – but with more cars raise construction and land costs, though, radically gerrymandered districts also considerable information avail- using feeder roads, overall travel times and that effect is felt equally in all mean you first need to find yours. able from the candidates themselves may actually be worse. Not what you’d market segments.) PuBlic Only one (TX-35) is drawn to elect a – generally including both a freestand- expect, right? In that light, Austin’s common prac- Democrat (incumbent Lloyd Doggett); ing campaign website and a Facebook Now consider the housing market: noTice tice of prioritizing overall “capacity” the others (10, 17, 21, 25, 31) are poten- page. Local Democratic clubs have Supply and demand would seem to over the preservation of existing by Nick tially vulnerable to flipping this year. been holding strings of forums, fol- dictate that, whatever demand may affordability seems especially short- • Judicial primary races Statewide lowed by endorsement lists, and (some- be doing, anything you can do to barbaro sighted. There are lots of reasons to seats on Texas Supreme Court and Court times) posted video of the forums. increase supply must work to bring pric- justify tearing down, say, 10 older, cur- of Criminal Appeals and local races for Early voting begins Feb. 18 for the es down. And that’s true, economists have rently affordable housing units in order to 3rd Court of Appeals and several district March 3 election day, so you have a few found, but only within fairly narrow economic make way for 100 new “market rate” ones. But courts are also hotly contested. weeks to bone up and then exercise segments. Economists have known since the affordability is most certainly not one of them. • Three criminal justice races: The your civic obligations. Our futures will 1980s that the housing market is segmented Those 10 missing units, coming directly out of the contests for district attorney, county certainly depend on what happens in and “better understood as a set of interrelated inventory of what most people mean when they attorney, and County Court at Law No. D.C. and at the top of the November submarkets that can move somewhat inde- talk about affordable housing options, will have a 4 each have strong implications for con- ballot – but before we get there, we’ve pendently than as a single market,” as Rick direct impact on everyday affordability. The 100 tinuing reform of our courts and crim- got to take diligent care of democratic Jacobus wrote recently in Shelterforce, a publica- new units may keep prices from rising so fast in inal justice system. (The Chronicle has business at the Travis County primary tion of the National Housing Institute. “And the top end of the market – though that demand ongoing coverage, and will have more.) polls. n because of this difference, housing is not gener- seems to keep growing as well – but trickle down ally covered in undergraduate economics courses. to the lower 50%? Again, not so much. The contests for district attorney, Housing is advanced economics.” Meanwhile, everybody’s still waiting for the county attorney, and County Court at A seminal study in that field, The Maze of Urban release of the Land Develo pm ent Code rewrite, Housing Markets, described five such segments, draft 2. Council got a sneak peek at the maps on Law no. 4 each have strong implications ranging from the most expensive 20% of housing Friday and a briefing on text changes at a commit- for continuing reform of our courts and options to the least expensive 20%, and found tee meeting Monday, but there’s as yet no word that while supply/demand equations worked within on when either will be released. Still, Coun cil’s criminal justice system. each segment, they had little effect on the other scheduled to start voting in 10 days. n CIVICS 101 Friday 1/31 sunday 2/2 Tuesday 2/4 Wednesday 2/5 develOpMenT assisTanCe vOlunTeeR On waTeR QualiTy pRO TeC TiOn bizaid ORienTaTiOn An bizOpen: COMMeRCial pROpeRTy ReQuiReMenTs CenTeR ClOsing eaRly lands Help rebuild native grasslands in the Barton Springs overview of how to open a small An overview of the city’s development process. Those who can’t attend Customer sign-in will stop at 1:45pm. recharge zone by harvesting seeds, removing invasive spe- business. 9am. Entrepreneur Center, can watch the webinar at 10am for free. 9am. Entrepreneur Center, Normal hours resume Monday, Feb. 3. cies, and more. The event will take place near FM 1826 and 4029 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #110. 4029 Capital of TX Hwy. S. #110. Free. www.austintexas.gov/smallbiz. Thursday 1/30 DBaervteolonp Smperinntg Ass.sistance Ctr., 505 S2lpamug. hThteer MLaanxew. eSlle eM awneabgseitme efonrt dUirneict toionn Tsh aen Wd aretegri sQtruaatiloitny. CFrHeei.l wdw pwa.asussteinntegxaesR.g osva/sFmeaTllybi z. CsaitTioyn .C 9Oaumn. CCitiyl HwalOl, R30k1 s We. sSseciOonnd .A wnwotwh.earu lsatnindt euxsaes .cgoodv.e conver- Redbud TRail bRidge Open bpuabsilCiC e MMeeeRTg ienngC Yyea prlly amnee ting of Protection Lands. www.austintexas.gov/wildlandevents. T1r1avaeml .s Dafoevtey tSippsri nfogrs liRttelec pCatrs.,s e5n8g0e1rs . naMe & gendeR MaRkeR CHange RSVP for a free lunch HOuse Stop by anytime to learn about the city’s Office of Homeland Security Monday 2/3 Ainez. www.austintexas.gov/ems. and update on the legal name and gender marker change process. tLhaed yo pBtiirodn Lsa fkoer raesp tlahcei npgro tjheec tb erindtgeers o ver aAnudst iEnm’s eermgeenrcgye nMcay npalgaenm. Feenetd obna ck TiMbukTu y.O.u An afterschool program focused legalline Call in to get free 1w1w:w4.5kainmdc. lPineiocp.olerg’s. Community Clinic, 1101 Camino La Costa. design phase. 5:30-7:30pm. O’Henry welcome. 4pm. City Hall, 301 W. on STEAM and photography for sixth- through eighth- legal advice. 5:30-7:30pm. wesT ausTin deMs: endORseMenTs With focus on candi- Middle School, 2610 W 10th St. Second. www.austintexas.gov graders, running Feb. 3-May 15. Financial aid is www.austinlrs.org. dates for U.S. reps. for D10, D21, and D25, and district judges for the www.austintexas.gov/redbudtrailbridge. available. 3pm. Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina. TRanspORTaTiOn eleCTRi- 390th and 353rd courts. 6:45pm. Howson Library, 2500 Exposition. nORTH univeRsiTy-HeRiTage- saTurday 2/1 www.austintexas.gov/pardfinaid. Fi CaTiOn wORksHOp Help ROsedale neigHbORHOOd FaR nORTHwesT pROgRessives Club Hear form Austin’s Community Climate Thursday 2/6 bikeways Open HOuse Drop in, building bRidges TOwn Hall from the four candidates running for county attorney. Plan by sharing your input regarding see the preliminary designs, and share your A rep from Austin Police Department 6:30pm. InterStellar BBQ, 12233 RR 620. electric vehicle adoption. 5:30-8pm. CiTy COunCil MeeTing See p.12. 10am. City Hall, 301 W. tWwhwoowoudg.ahsu tEss ltewinmittehex nAatTsaD.rg.y o 6Sv:/c3nh0uo-h7or:l-,3 b30ik3pe0mw9.a ByKsrey.rkbeery . wiCmoilplm adpcislte.c xu1, s:13s1 0h5pu6mm H.a Manr igltlrreaanfvfneici.ukmin gY oauntdh its ATuHsetin F DueTmusR deis OcuFs sT tehxe astsat Re’se dreidsisTtrRicitCinTg.i n7pgm L.i beral A7wu2ws1wt i.Bna auErsnttoeinnrtg eSyx paTorsiwn.ggnos vL .Radke. FCreeen.t e r, SJuecdoniCd.i awwl wC.aaunstdinitdexaaTs.eg oFvO.RuM Hosted by Hispanic Bar Assoc. of Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto. Austin. 5:30pm. Jackson Walker, 100 Congress. hispanicbaraustin.com. 10 THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE JANUARY 31, 2020 austinchronicle.com