One state representative wants Austinites to always remember the legacy of their mayor’s failed liberal policies.
This week, State Rep. Bryan Slaton (R–Royse City) filed House Bill 2471 to rename Interstate 35 in Austin—affectionately referred to as “Tent City”—the Steve Adler Public Restroom Highway.
Slaton’s proposal comes amid the hotly contentious homelessness issue in Austin. 2019 saw the Austin City Council, which is made up exclusively of Democrats, make it legal for homeless individuals to live in nearly every public area of Austin, a decision that unleashed an outraged firestorm of health and safety issues.
The proliferation of new tent cities throughout Austin, an increase in its homeless population, an unforgiving public environment, and an increase in violent crime has caused even Mayor Adler to publicly admit, “What we’re doing isn’t working.”
Recently, a citizen-led petition with over 26,000 signatures forced city hall to place the camping issue to a public vote in May.
“Liberal legacies deserve to be recognized,” Slaton said. “Since the Legislature has made it clear it intends to rename some highways and bridges this session, I think it’s imperative that we start with a highway that truly recognizes the contributions of Mayor Adler.”
“A city that lives without historical awareness is destined to repeat its mistakes, and by renaming this highway, the people of Austin will always remember the legacy of failed liberal policies.”
