Short Recap of Mayor Adler's 2018 State of the City Address
“Last year, when we gathered together for this purpose, I said that if the world completely lost its mind, we’d still be Austin, Texas. I did not mean that as a challenge, but the world certainly held up its end of the bargain. It seems our country is losing its way in the world.”
Mayor Adler's State of the City, the last of his first-term, hit on several familiar and pressing issues for Austinites.
The speech was balanced, underscoring Austin's success across many categories, but offering a measure of prudence in not measuring progress by rankings. Issues such as affordability, economic disparity, mobility, and homelessness loom.
On the national stage Mayor Adler directly addressed immigration, highlighted by an introduction from Austin-based Consul General Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez of Mexico.
The mayor also weighed in on the state of American political discourse, climate change, and the Russians.
Among other issues noted by Mayor Adler for the Council's consideration and adoption were:
- A new land development code (CodeNEXT), the first in 30 years
- A comprehensive Strategic Mobility Plan
- A first ever, short term, Council Strategic Plan
- A Regional Mass Transit Plan
- Our first ever Regional Workforce Development Plan
- A new Economic Development Incentive Program
- A 100-year Water Plan
- Dedicated funding for homelessness, and perhaps an associated,
- Austin Convention Center Expansion
- Bond Propositions, totaling, perhaps, between half a billion to a billion dollars, on the ballot this November (at the same time his name will be on).
It has, and will be, a dynamic year at City Hall.
“Many wonder what the future holds for our great city. So let me say this clearly: Austin can, must and will lead in this new century. Indeed, the complexities and connections of today’s world have yielded a new Austin moment, a moment when our global leadership is essential, even if we must often lead in new ways.”