AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has identified nearly 16 locations that could be affected by an order from Gov. Greg Abbott to “remove any and all political ideologies” from city and county streets across Texas. The city also identified millions of dollars in funding that could be lost if it does not comply.
The governor on Wednesday ordered the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to tighten road safety guidelines. TxDOT must ensure that all counties and cities remove all political ideologies from Texas streets. “To keep Texas moving safely and distraction-free, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas,” Abbott said, in part.
Abbott’s order came after US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in August sent a letter to state governors across the country urging them to participate in a national road safety initiative. According to previous reports, this initiative included removing artwork or political messages from the streets.
Duffy didn’t specifically mention things like rainbow crosswalks, but he noted that this type of display is unsafe.
The City of Austin provided KXAN with a statement on Friday saying it would adhere to the new guidelines, but did not say whether rainbow crosswalks specifically would be removed from city streets.
Potential impacts on Austin streets and pedestrian crossings
A message has been sent to Austin City Council message board Saturday morning addressing state and federal orders. This post was published by Colleen Pate, Chief of Staff for the Mayor’s Office, on behalf of Mayor Kirk Watson.
“City staff has been looking into what this could impact. There appear to be approximately 16 locations with tags that could be enforced,” the letter read in part. The message did not list specific locations.
“Staff also considered what it could cost the city if we did not comply. Failure to remove the paint would put hundreds of millions of dollars at risk. Austin Transportation and Public Works alone currently has $175 million in state and federal grant funding. Of course, there are also additional grant opportunities coming that may be lost.”
Watson said in the letter that he plans to come up with a proposal and asked staff to immediately help with a plan to allow the city to “represent our diverse community, show our love and pride, and allow Austin residents to have a voice.”
Some examples Watson gave of what this could look like include:
- Signs along Betty Naylor Street
- Potential permanent installations on city-owned property such as sidewalks or utility poles
- Possible painting of piers
The plan would also work in the East 11th Street area where the “Black Artists Matter ATX” mural has been painted, the letter said.
“My thought is that we are using fully city-controlled property that allows such activity without violating any federal or state requirements. I am confident that there are many in our community who would jump at the opportunity to help fund such an effort,” the letter read.
City staff were asked to come up with a proposal that “will ensure creative engagement by Austin residents as we demonstrate how Austin’s pride, love, and diversity will not be suppressed.”
The letter concluded: “There is more than one way to show we care. There is more than one way to celebrate the good in our city.”