Even as community wealth building efforts expand across the country, many U.S. federal tax and expenditure policies continue to act in a contrary manner, concentrating wealth and income among a few. As a result of this growing inequality, many state and local governments are having greater difficulty providing basic public services. Read more about New State & Local Policies...
Founded in 2002 by public policy experts and community activists, Livable Cities works to safeguard Austin’s long-term social, environmental and economic well-being by educating, informing and empowering Austin residents to improve Austin’s quality of life for all residents. Through public-policy research, public discourse and broad community collaboration, its successes include stronger public controls on big box retail development, reforms for corporate tax incentives and other public subsidies, the passage of $120 million in local affordable housing bonds, and the passage of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive plan, the City’s first comprehensive plan in over 30 years.
Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) works to promote locally-owned independent businesses through popular education, public relations campaigns, and local policies that meet the needs of its hundreds of member businesses. AIBA was founded in 2002 and has created eight IBIZ (Independent Business Investment Zone) Districts to help neighborhood business districts become destination locations. It also hosts a luncheon series for local business owners and publishes IndieAustin, a directory of AIBA members.