Petitioners are looking to insert a public vote into the City of Austin’s efforts to expand the Austin Convention Center.
The Political Action Committee Unconventional Austin seeks to put a cap of sorts on the city’s spending on the center, demanding a public vote on any expansion spending that exceeds $20-million. Mayor Steve Adler said under Texas law the expansion is needed if the city wants to get more use out of hotel occupancy taxes. “Because that by itself helps with business. But I’m going to do it primarily because its going to free up $350-million over the next ten years.”
The petition also seeks to limit the amount of HOT revenue dollars that can be used on the convention center to 1/3rd with the rest being dedicated to Cultural, heritage, and environmental tourism.
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