Point Austin

   The Austin Chronicle: "Point Austin: Three Cheers for Spelman" was the article that I chose to read.  This article goes over the proposed budget for the 2015 fiscal year.  Specifically, the article details the requested growth of the Austin Police Department.  

    The APD was requesting 59 additional officers, and 38 additional civilian workers to aid the department.  Council member Bill Spelman was the individual that attempted to limit the additional expenditures that in his opinion were excessive.  The amount that was eventually proposed was 46 police officers.  According to the departments self reported data, there currently isn't enough of a workload to justify all 59 officers.  

    The reason I picked this article, is because it directly affects every Austinite.  It not only affects the pocketbook of the citizens of Austin through taxes, but also has the potential to affect the safety as well.  A fine balance is necessary between what's actually needed, and what's considered excessive. That's why we hold elections to pick the person we believe can do the job to the fullest and has our best interests at heart.  

    This is a great example of how government works from the the lowest level all the way to the federal level.  Every entity is expected to agree upon a balanced budget that reflects what is best for the people.