Uncategorized
InfuseSA in the Community: Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert
This month, we’d like to introduce to you Tommy Calvert, one of our distinguished Commissioners on Bexar County Commissioners Court. Commissioner Calvert, has represented Precinct 4 since 2014, and is the longest serving member of the Court. It was a delight to meet him and enormously instructive to learn about all he and the Court…
Read MoreWembyRenaMania – Toying with Taxpayers’ Emotions
It was probably inevitable that landing the #1 pick in the NBA draft would spawn chatter about a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs. As usual, the preeminent concern is tapping the taxpayer to foot part of the bill. And as usual, that should be a no-go. Alas, appeals to emotions are probably not…
Read MoreFreedom Where You Can Get It – Texas House Bill 2127
Though the property tax reform standoff took multiple special sessions to resolve, the fight over Texas HB 2127, the childishly nicknamed “Death Star” bill, looks likely to continue in the courts now that San Antonio has joined Houston in suing the state. This is the legislation that prevents local laws from imposing more burdensome rules…
Read MoreInfuseSA in the Community: Southtown Pizzeria
Excitement is brewing in the kitchen at Southtown Pizzeria! Owned by Restaurant owner Anna Rodriguez, Southtown is taking off on all social media platforms. With its delicious, savory Italian pasta dishes, to its mouth-watering, crispy pizzas, Southtown puts all the perfect ingredients in, making sure every guest leaves satisfied and fulfilled. Anna has owned this…
Read MoreSecrecy is Transparency: CoSA’s Orwellian Ethics Review Board
The City of San Antonio Ethics Review Board (ERB) met the evening of Wednesday, June 28th in the Municipal Plaza Building. If you blinked, you probably missed it. Actually, if you flapped your eyelids like a butterfly, you probably still didn’t even know it happened. The ERB is tasked by the City Charter with enforcing…
Read MoreIn Defense of Property Rights: Progressives For The Win?
Local politics are a different animal from what goes on in Washington D.C. Nevertheless, you expect some basic dynamics to be constant. When they don’t, it’s baffling. While the stalemate in Austin continues over property tax reduction, San Antonio is moving forward. The city council recently voted unanimously to raise the general homestead exemption to…
Read MoreAbbott v. Patrick on Property Tax Reform: Rate Cuts, Exemption Hikes, or Both?
Co-written by Anne Englert Editor’s note: since this was published, the House and the Senate reached a compromise. Gilbert Garcia recently criticized Governor Greg Abbott in the San Antonio Express-News for his lack of leadership in the current property tax cut debate in Austin. Whatever the governor may lack in that area, he makes up…
Read MoreElections Are Here, and So Are Some Truth Bombs
We’re hitting the homestretch of this year’s municipal elections. Early voting starts Monday, and Election Day is just a couple weeks away. Numerous thoughts and questions swirl in our collective heads here at InfuseSA. Is it too much to ask candidates to respect the process and their (prospective) constituents? Several don’t seem to know that…
Read MoreWhat’s the Price of Integrity? Corruption at City Hall
Back in December, we entered a “dead period,” when campaign donors could not give to state legislators since they were about to go into session. It’d therefore be more likely that they could give to candidates for local office. If the donors have business before the legislature (or a local body) though, how proper is…
Read MoreInfuseSA in the Community: Danny Diaz and the San Antonio Police Officers Association
This month we focus on the people who sign-up to protect and serve us every single day, our San Antonio Police Officers, and the organization that represents them, the San Antonio Police Officers Association (SAPOA). We wanted to take time to truly reflect on the amazing job they do, and truly appreciate and support them. …
Read More