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Spectrum News, Former Austin City Council member announces run for mayor

Kathryne lives in Austin, Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and American studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. and a doctorate in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a mom to 2 children.

Kathryne is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas.

Kathryne Beth Tovo previously served as mayor pro tem from 2015 to 2019. She served in the Austin City Council from 2011 to 2015 and again 2019 to 2023.

Candidate website

Supports efforts to stabilize and expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare.

Believes in creating a safe, affordable, and resilient community to enhance the social and economic well-being of all residents.

As a leader, Kathie spearheaded a program that partnered with local restaurants to provide over 1 million free meals to parents and caregivers of area students.

Led a program that partnered with local restaurants to provide over 1 million free meals to parents and caregivers of area students.

As a council member, ensured the professional soccer team in Austin would provide development academies for local youth and distribute free tickets to underserved kids in the city.

- Supports efforts to stabilize and expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare.
- Believes in creating a safe, affordable, and resilient community to enhance the social and economic well-being of all residents.
- Led a program that partnered with local restaurants to provide over 1 million free meals to parents and caregivers of area students.
- As a council member, ensured the professional soccer team in Austin would provide development academies for local youth and distribute free tickets to underserved kids in the city.

Public Services

As mayor, led the creation of the Sobering Center, which provides a safe place for individuals to sober up and connect to supportive services.

As mayor pro tem, led the creation of the Sobering Center, which provides a safe place for individuals to sober up and connect to supportive services.

- As mayor pro tem, led the creation of the Sobering Center, which provides a safe place for individuals to sober up and connect to supportive services.

Public Safety

Supports implementing the Climate Equity Plan to prepare communities for climate shocks.

- Supports implementing the Climate Equity Plan to prepare communities for climate shocks.

Energy & the Environment

Advocates for creating neighborhood resilience hubs to serve as emergency shelters during extreme weather events or disasters.

Believes there is "much more to do" in improving transportation and infrastructure to prepare for future challenges.

- Advocates for creating neighborhood resilience hubs to serve as emergency shelters during extreme weather events or disasters.
- Believes there is "much more to do" in improving transportation and infrastructure to prepare for future challenges.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Advocated for including childcare centers in all newly constructed city buildings.

Supports policies that aim to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing.

Believes the RState 35 expansion project negatively impacts businesses and homeowners.

Believes the  I-35 between U.S. 290 expansion project negatively impacts businesses and homeowners.

As a city council member, worked to create policies that helped keep people housed and fed and supported local arts and music communities during the pandemic.

As a City Council member, supported housing policies that benefit women, workers, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Supported housing policies that benefit women, workers, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Helped pass new city code to bar unregistered short-term rentals from operating in the city. 

- Advocated for including childcare centers in all newly constructed city buildings.
- Supports policies that aim to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing.
- Believes the  I-35 between U.S. 290 expansion project negatively impacts businesses and homeowners.
- As a city council member, worked to create policies that helped keep people housed and fed and supported local arts and music communities during the pandemic.
- Supported housing policies that benefit women, workers, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Helped pass new city code to bar unregistered short-term rentals from operating in the city. 

Housing & Urban Development

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Kathryne Beth Tovo

Kathryne lives in Austin, Texas. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and American studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. and a doctorate in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a mom to two high-schoolers.

Kathie is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas.

Advocates for investing in childcare to support and strengthen the industry post-pandemic.

Supports the creation of community hubs to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Plans to not comply with the contribution and expenditure limits of the Austin Fair Campaign Chapter.

Believes in providing high-quality public services, including police, fire, EMS, and public works.

Believes in enhancing public services to improve community quality of life.

Advocates for community involvement and has volunteered on various boards and task forces to support working families.

- Supports efforts to stabilize and expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare.
- Believes in creating a safe, affordable, and resilient community to enhance the social and economic well-being of all residents.
- Led a program that partnered with local restaurants to provide over 1 million free meals to parents and caregivers of area students.
- As a council member, ensured the professional soccer team in Austin would provide development academies for local youth and distribute free tickets to underserved kids in the city.
- Advocates for community involvement and has volunteered on various boards and task forces to support working families.

Supports taking "bold action" to improve public safety.

Believes public safety is a top priority.

Supports police and transportation safety.

Believes in advocating for the residents of Austin without the need for "high-paid lobbyists."

Believes in enhancing public safety through community policing, crime prevention programs, and collaboration with local organizations.

Believes in addressing the root causes of crime through community engagement, economic development, and social services. Supports a well-resourced police force and comprehensive public safety strategies.

- As mayor, led the creation of the Sobering Center, which provides a safe place for individuals to sober up and connect to supportive services.

Opposes the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) plans to widen Interstate 35 (I-35) through Central Austin, believing it will negatively impact the community.

Opposes the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) plans to widen Interstate 35 (I-35) through Central Austin, saying "TxDOT faces lawsuit, civil rights complaint over plans to widen I-35 through Central Austin."

Supports the $5 billion I-35 reconstruction project.

Supports policies that aim to build generational wealth and increase affordable housing options.

Supports policies that help retain employees at living-wage rates.

Believes in affordable housing and urban development.

Believes in addressing lingering questions on short-term rental rules as the city moves toward new regulations.

Believes in addressing the impacts of infrastructure projects on businesses and homeowners, as highlighted by the Interstate 35 expansion project.

Believes in rethinking urban development and infrastructure projects, as evidenced by supporting the lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) over the I-35 expansion plans.

Supports the Rethink35 lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) over the Interstate 35 (I-35) expansion plans.

As council members helped pass new city code to bar unregistered short-term rentals from operating in the city. 

- Advocated for including childcare centers in all newly constructed city buildings.
- As a city council member, worked to create policies that helped keep people housed and fed and supported local arts and music communities during the pandemic.
- As a City Council member, supported housing policies that benefit women, workers, immigrants, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
- As council members helped pass new city code to bar unregistered short-term rentals from operating in the city. 
- Supports policies that aim to reduce homelessness and increase affordable housing.
- Believes the  I-35 between U.S. 290 expansion project negatively impacts businesses and homeowners.

Kathryne Beth Tovo lives in Austin, Texas. She holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a mom to two high-schoolers.

Kathryne Beth Tovo is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin. She previously served on the Austin City Council and worked at Humanities Texas.

Kathie Tovo was first elected to the Austin City Council in 2011 and served until January 2023, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015 to 2019. She chaired the Public Health, Audit and Finance, and Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committees and served on the Austin Police Retirement System. Tovo is currently running for Mayor of Austin in 2024.

- The role of a mayor in Texas is to preside over council meetings, represent the city, and facilitate communication between officials. 
- Cities may grant the mayor additional power or roles. 
- Mayors can also appoint members of citizen advisory boards and commissions.
- Mayors represent the city in intergovernmental relationships.
- Term limits, length of office, and salaries vary across cities or townships.