Greg Casar

Last updated

On November 4, 2021, Casar announced his candidacy for Texas's 35th congressional district. [34] During the primary, he was endorsed by prominent national progressives, including senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, [35] as well as Austin officials such as Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County district attorney José Garza. [36]

Casar won the Democratic primary on March 1, 2022, with approximately 60% of the vote. [37] In his victory speech, he linked his victory to the overall progressive movement, saying, "This election was about us, the power of the people and the power of our movement. Let’s celebrate the progressive movement in Texas". [36] [35] [38] Given the 35th district’s partisan lean of D+21, Casar’s primary victory was considered tantamount to election. TheTexas Tribune wrote that he is expected to be "among the most progressive members of Congress ever to serve from Texas". [37]

On November 8, 2022, Casar won the general election, defeating the Republican nominee, former Corpus Christi mayor Dan McQueen, with 73% of the vote. [39]

Tenure

Casar was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House. [40] On July 25, 2023, Casar led a thirst strike advocating for better heat protection after a law passed in Texas overrode local ordinances such as water and rest breaks. [41] The strike lasted for nine hours and Casar took no breaks nor did he eat or drink. [41]

Caucus memberships

Committee assignments

Political positions

Criminal justice reform

Ban the box

In 2016, Casar led efforts at City Hall to "ban the box" through a fair chance hiring ordinance. [44] The ordinance delays when employers can do a criminal background check until after a conditional job offer has been made, in order to help reintegrate former prisoners into the workplace and deter employment discrimination. Austin became the first city to ban the box in the Southern United States. [45]

Freedom City

Because of Texas Senate Bill 4's limitations on sanctuary cities, and in an effort to reduce the impact of low-level interactions with police, Casar initiated policy changes to make Austin a "Freedom City", [46] which discourages the police from making low-level discretionary arrests and requires police officers to inform residents that they have the right to refuse to answer questions about immigration status. During the debate, the Austin Police Association attacked Casar for citing data that Black residents are arrested twice as often as white residents in discretionary arrests. [47] Casar wrote in a Texas Tribune editorial that the Freedom Cities law's intention is to unite immigration reformers and criminal justice reformers to reduce the disparate impact of policing on communities of color. [48] In the first quarter after the policy passed, arrests for ticket-worthy offenses dropped by two-thirds. Racial disproportionality of arrests also improved. [49]

Juvenile curfew

In June 2017, Casar and Delia Garza pushed the council to eliminate criminal penalties for a juvenile to "walk, run, idle, wander, stroll, or aimlessly drive" during curfew hours, out of a belief that kids should not be pushed into the criminal justice system for being young and out in public. [50] Many of these laws, including Austin's, were passed during Clinton Administration's "tough on crime" phase in the 1990s. [51] Ultimately, the council removed the juvenile curfew. Austin became the nation's second-largest city to end its juvenile curfew policy. [52]

Police reform

When the Austin police union contract was set to expire in early 2017, criminal justice activists called for reform, citing examples in the contract that made police oversight difficult. [53] Casar, Jimmy Flannigan, and other Council members indicated their intent to reject the contract and send the union back to the bargaining table unless it was reformed. [54] After the contract was rejected, the police union requested bonus pay without a contract in place, but that was opposed by a divided council. [55] After nearly ten months of negotiations, a new contract was approved, along with the creation of an independent office of police oversight. The new contract made it easier to file complaints, provided more transparency around complaints of police misconduct, strengthened police disciplinary procedures, and increased accountability. [56]

In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter protests reached Austin. [57] During the protests, Austin police were involved in use of force incidents where civilians were injured. [58] Casar called for more oversight. [59] Working with community leaders, he crafted a three-tiered plan to reduce the police department budget. [60] Austin became one of the only cities in the nation to successfully begin reallocating significant funding from its police department to other city programs. [61]

The council voted unanimously to eliminate upcoming cadet classes in the police academy, diverting $20 million to programs that address homelessness, mental health, and family violence prevention. During the year after the budget vote, another $80 million will be reallocated from the department by placing some functions, such as forensics and 911 dispatch, within other parts of the city's government. The council also flagged another $50 million for "community-led" review. [62]

Housing

Affordable housing

During the 2018 election cycle, the Austin City Council put almost $1 billion of bond propositions to the voters, including Proposition A, which allocated $250 million to build affordable housing and acquire land to build it on. [63] The Democratic Socialists of America, AURA, and other community groups joined Casar in pushing for a $300 million bond after the city's staff proposed less than $100 million. Through community engagement and work at City Hall, Casar pushed the bond proposition up to $250 million. [64] He said at the time, "From social housing to public housing to mixed-income subsidized units, all of that is on the table for us right now." [65] After a large campaign, Proposition A passed with the support of over 70% of voters, the largest affordable housing bond in Austin's history. [66]

In an effort to extend the reach of Proposition A's $250 million for affordable housing, Casar proposed an "Affordability Unlocked" ordinance. [67] The ordinance waives or reduces many zoning regulations, like parking requirements, setbacks, occupancy limits, and minimum lot sizes, and allows buildings to be built taller, in exchange for reserving 50% of the new homes in the building for low-income renters or homeowners by the developer. The ordinance also requires that in existing aging multifamily buildings, homes that are already affordable to renters must be replaced on a one-to-one basis to avoid encouraging the teardown of existing homes for low-income renters. [68] Casar cited the ordinance as an example of his approach to housing politics in an op-ed, writing that "our pro-housing and anti-gentrification movements can co-exist" and that building more housing does not have to mean displacing low-income renters because housing can be built elsewhere in the city to avoid displacement and gentrification. [69] The ordinance has allowed for the construction of at least 650 housing units that otherwise would not have been possible without the lifting of height and parking requirements. [70]

Granny flats

Throughout 2015, Casar and his colleague Sabino "Pio" Renteria pushed for housing reforms to allow more "granny flats" or garage apartments ("accessory dwelling units," or ADUs) to be built in Austin. [71] The reforms ultimately allowed an additional home on most legal lots in the city, and waived minimum parking requirements if they were built near transit. Casar saw the issue as advancing fair housing in the city, and AURA, a housing and transportation advocacy group, cited it as a way to integrate the city. [72] He described his motivation as "a moral imperative ... We are sick of being on the list of the most segregated communities in this country." [32]

Tenant organizing

After organizing with mobile home residents of the Stonegate Mobile Home park against mismanagement, Casar joined a march to the manager's office to demand that an ill resident's electricity be restored. Within 24 hours of the march, it was restored. [73] In early 2015, after hearing of the successful campaign at Stonegate, Casar received reports from North Lamar Community Mobile Home Park that the new owner had raised rent and utility costs. He helped the tenants to form a tenants' association, Asociación de los Residentes de North Lamar (ARNL).

ARNL organized with Casar and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid to sue the new owner, Frank Rolfe, who had raised rents by 10-25%. [74] Rolfe, who teaches others how to invest in mobile homes, has compared owning mobile home parks to owning a "Waffle House where everyone is chained to the booths". [75] He has also said, "At $3,000 or so to move a mobile home, there is a huge barrier to moving out, so tenants will accept pretty much whatever you raise the rents to ... within reason!" [74] Ultimately, residents were forced to sign new leases at the higher rents or leave the community, but the eviction notices they received were rescinded. [76] They also got the owner to agree to sell the property to the residents, and ARNL is continuing to fight to convert the park into a cooperative.

After several such campaigns involving tenant organizing, Casar directed city resources to create the Resident's Advocacy Project, which later became Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA), to provide for more consistent capacity directed toward organizing working-class tenants in Austin. [77]

Immigrant rights advocacy

Before serving as council member, Casar was actively involved in several immigrant rights campaigns. [78] After Trump's election in 2016, Casar and Austin mayor Steve Adler vowed to join other cities in resisting Trump's plans to target illegal immigrants. [79]

Raids

Shortly after Travis County sheriff Sally Hernandez was elected in 2016, she implemented policies to make Austin a sanctuary city. [80] In response, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted targeted raids in an operation called Operation Cross Check, arresting hundreds of people. [81] ICE initially claimed that these raids had been long-planned, but an ICE agent admitted in Federal Court that they targeted Austin specifically in retribution for refusing to fully cooperate with ICE. [82] After the raids, Casar and other members of the Austin City Council took emergency action and amended the city budget to provide legal services for undocumented immigrants, including deportation defense. [83]

SB4

In 2017, Casar joined other local and statewide leaders to protest Texas Senate Bill 4, which forces local officials to cooperate with federal immigration officials and punishes local officials, including with prison time, who decline to do so. [84] On May Day of that year, Casar and other activists occupied Governor Greg Abbott’s office for a full day, calling on Abbott to veto the bill. This led to the arrest of Casar and nearly two dozen other activists. [85]

Casar proposed in a New York Times opinion piece that SB4 must be protested at every possible stage, lest laws like it be passed in other states. [86] He joined a coalition of grassroots organizations and elected officials from municipalities across the state to initiate a lawsuit against the State of Texas to overturn the law, the first statewide effort of its kind. [87] The suit is still pending. [88]

Israel and Palestine

Casar attends a protest over the Israel-Hamas war at the University of Texas at Austin on April 25, 2024. Greg-Casar-pro-Gaza-protest-UT-Austin-25-April-2024.jpg
Casar attends a protest over the Israel–Hamas war at the University of Texas at Austin on April 25, 2024.

Casar expressed in 2021 that he believed the "[Israeli] occupation needs to end" and that US aid in supporting Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories should end, identifying his positions with those of Senator Bernie Sanders. [89] Casar in 2022 wrote in Jewish Insider that he believes the people of Israel and Palestine both deserve to live in "peace and security," and that the "clearest path" toward achieving that goal was through a two-state solution. [90] He also does not support the Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. [90] Casar supports "continued federal aid for self defense of Israel." [90] Austin Democratic Socialists of America initially endorsed Casar's 2023 congressional run in 2021, but later said they would cease their endorsement and support of his campaign due to his comments in 2022, and a subsequent request by the campaign to rescind endorsement. [90] [91] Before the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, Casar stated he supported “continued federal aid for self defense of Israel.” [92] However, after the Israeli bombardment of Gaza began in 2023, Casar has been a proponent of an immediate ceasefire and has been opposed to offensive military aid for Israel. [93]

Casar co-sponsored the Ceasefire Now Resolution introduced by Representative Cori Bush in October 2023. [94]

Following his vote against H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, on April 20, 2024, [95] Casar signed a statement along with 18 other House members denouncing the supply of offensive military aid to Israel as an act that "could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere." The statement pled for the United States to rather help achieve a ceasefire to allow for the freeing of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the beginning of peace talks. [96]

Labor

Living wage

In 2015, Casar aided fellow council member Ann Kitchen, who proposed raising the minimum wage paid to all City of Austin employees to $13.03 and offering health benefits for all employees, including part-time and temporary workers. [97] After continued advocacy by Casar and the City Council, all City of Austin employees now make a minimum of $15 an hour. [98] In 2016, Casar sponsored a resolution to extend the living wage requirement to all city contractors and subcontractors, such as airport food workers and construction workers. [99]

On May Day 2018, labor unions, the Workers Defense Project, progressive businesses, the Democratic Socialists of America, and other activists joined in calling for a paid sick leave requirement for all Austin workers. The Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Restaurant Association (state chapter of the National Restaurant Association), and the Texas chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business opposed the requirement, but the campaign ultimately saw a successful vote of the city council for a modified version of Casar's proposal. [100] The sick leave ordinance covered the entire private sector, and provided between six and eight sick days for all Austin workers. Casar credited grassroots organizations with getting people to contact their council members to push them to vote for the ordinance through the organization's grassroots canvassing operation. [101] Responding to the success in Austin, and due to the advocacy of the organizations who fought for the policy, both San Antonio and Dallas passed Austin's version of the ordinance. [102]

After the ordinance passed, the Texas business community and statewide Republican politicians moved to block its implementation. [103] In October 2018, a three-judge panel of the 3rd Court of Appeals found the ordinance unconstitutional on the grounds that benefits are wages. [104] Two of the three Republican judges on the panel were defeated by Democratic challengers in the November election several weeks later. [105] During the 2019 legislative session, Republican state lawmakers filed bills to overturn the ordinance, [106] causing protests from a coalition of unions and grassroots organizations. As of May 2019, the bills have not passed. A representative of the NFIB says the bills failed to pass due to a growing progressive movement in Texas, saying: "I think they’re winning in a red state. … They're starting to take over the state, and they will." [107]

Foreign policy

In 2023, Casar was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which had it passed would have directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days. [108] [109]

In February 2024, he penned a letter to the Biden administration, outlined significant issues regarding the 2024 Pakistani general election and urged them to refrain from recognizing the coalition government. [110]

Election history

Austin City Council

Greg Casar
Rep. Greg Casar - 118th Congress.jpg
Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
Designate
Assuming office
January 3, 2025
2020 Austin District 4 general election
CandidateVotes %
Greg Casar (incumbent)11,62966.8
Louis Herrin III4,31024.8
Ramesses II Setepenre1,4668.4
Total votes17,405 100

[111]

2016 Austin District 4 general election
CandidateVotes %
Greg Casar (incumbent)7,32860.89
Gonzalo Camacho2,76022.93
Louis Herrin III1,94716.18
Total votes12,035 100
2014 Austin District 4 runoff election
CandidateVotes %
Greg Casar2,85464.61
Laura Pressley1,56335.39
Total votes7,630 100

[112]

2014 Austin District 4 general election
CandidateVotes %
Greg Casar3,27238.6
Laura Pressley1,82621.6
Katrina M. Daniel1,36916.2
Sharon Mays7208.5
Monica Guzman5566.6
Roberto Perez Jr4265
Louis Herrin III2242.6
Marco Mancillas8063.8
Total votes21,083 100

See also

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin, Texas</span> Capital city of Texas

    Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 26th-largest metropolitan area in the United States, the 11th-most populous city in the United States, the fourth-most populous city in the state after Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas, and the second-most populous state capital city after Phoenix, the capital of Arizona. It has been one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States since 2010. Downtown Austin and Downtown San Antonio are approximately 80 miles (129 km) apart, and both fall along the Interstate 35 corridor. This combined metropolitan region of San Antonio–Austin has approximately 5 million people. Austin is the southernmost state capital in the contiguous United States and is considered a Gamma + level global city as categorized by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Abbott</span> American attorney and politician (born 1957)

    Gregory Wayne Abbott is an American politician, attorney, and jurist serving as the 48th governor of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 50th attorney general of Texas from 2002 to 2015 and as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1996 to 2001.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Watson</span> American politician

    Kirk Preston Watson is an American attorney and politician who has served as the 59th mayor of Austin since 2023, previously holding the office as the 54th mayor from 1997 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, he ran unsuccessfully for Texas attorney general in the 2002 election, where he was defeated by Republican Greg Abbott, later governor of Texas. In 2006, Watson was elected to the Texas Senate from District 14.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Police Department</span> Law enforcement agency in Austin, Texas, US

    Austin Police Department (APD) is the principal law enforcement agency serving Austin, Texas. As of fiscal year 2022, the agency had an annual budget of $443.1 million and employed around 2,484 personnel, including approximately 1,809 officers. The department also employs 24 K-9 police dogs and 16 horses. As of 2023, Robin Henderson is the current interim chief of police.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas's 35th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Texas

    Texas's 35th congressional district is a district that was created as a result of the 2010 United States census. The first candidates ran in the 2012 House elections and were seated for the 113th United States Congress. This election was won by Lloyd Doggett, who previously represented Texas's 25th congressional district before redistricting.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Wu</span> Mayor of Boston since 2021

    Michelle Wu is an American politician serving as the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, since 2021.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Rodriguez (politician)</span> Texas state legislator

    Eduardo Rene Rodriguez is an American politician served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 51st district. Elected in November 2002, he assumed office in January 2003 and left office in 2023.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Adler (politician)</span> Mayor of Austin, Texas, United States

    Stephen Ira Adler is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 58th mayor of Austin from 2015 to 2023.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Texas</span>

    Cannabis in Texas is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to two ounces is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in prison and a fine of up to $2000. Several of the state's major municipalities have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties or limit enforcement, however.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Frey</span> Mayor of Minneapolis since 2018

    Jacob Lawrence Frey is an American politician and attorney who has served as the mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota since 2018. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he served on the Minneapolis City Council from 2014 to 2018.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Lori Lightfoot</span> 56th mayor of Chicago from 2019 to 2023

    Lori Elaine Lightfoot is an American politician and attorney who was the 56th mayor of Chicago from 2019 until 2023. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming mayor, Lightfoot worked in private legal practice as a partner at Mayer Brown and held various government positions in Chicago. She served as president of the Chicago Police Board and chair of the Chicago Police Accountability Task Force. In 2019, Lightfoot defeated Toni Preckwinkle in a runoff election for Chicago mayor. She ran again in 2023 but failed to qualify for the runoff, becoming the city's first incumbent mayor to not be reelected since Jane Byrne in 1983.

    Gustavo L. "Gus" García was an American politician who served as the second Hispanic mayor of Austin, Texas.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Texas gubernatorial election</span>

    The 2022 Texas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Texas. Incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott won re-election to a third term, defeating the Democratic nominee, former Congressman Beto O'Rourke. All statewide elected offices are currently held by Republicans. In his previous gubernatorial race in 2018, Abbott won with 55.8% of the vote.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">James Talarico</span> American politician (born 1989)

    James Dell Talarico is an American politician and former teacher. He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018 to represent District 52, which includes the cities of Round Rock, Taylor, Hutto, and Georgetown in Williamson County. Following the 2020 redistricting cycle, Talarico announced his run for a seat in District 50 in 2022, which he won. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin City Council</span> Unicameral legislature of Austin, Texas

    The Austin City Council is the unicameral legislature of the city of Austin, Texas, United States of America. The mayor is included as a member of the council and presides over all council meetings and ceremonies. The current mayor of Austin is Kirk Watson. The duty of the council is to decide the city budget, taxes, and various other ordinances. While the council is officially nonpartisan, all but one current council member are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas</span>

    The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the 38 U.S. representatives from Texas, one from each of the state's 38 congressional districts. The state gained two seats after the results of the 2020 census. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, other elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. Primary elections took place on March 1, with primary runoffs scheduled for May 24 for districts where no candidate received over 50% of the vote.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Austin mayoral election</span>

    The 2022 Austin mayoral election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the next mayor of Austin, Texas. The election was nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations did not appear on the ballot. Incumbent mayor Steve Adler was term-limited and could not run for re-election. In the general election, state representative Celia Israel and former mayor Kirk Watson took the first two spots, leading realtor Jennifer Virden and several other candidates. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the race proceeded to a runoff election between Israel and Watson on December 13, which Watson won by 924 votes.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts election</span>

    Elections took place on November 8, 2022, to select the next Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Incumbent Republican Party Comptroller Glenn Hegar was elected to a third term over Democratic opponent Janet Dudding, with 56.4% of the vote.

    The 2022 Austin, Texas municipal elections took place on January 25, May 7, November 8, and December 13, 2022.

    References

    1. ↑ "District 4". Austin City Council. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
    2. ↑ "Texas Working Families Party Announces 2022 Congressional Endorsements in Texas". Working Families Party. December 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
    3. ↑ Drusch, Andrea. "To lead the resistance on Capitol Hill, progressives in D.C. are turning to a Texan". San Antonio Report. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
    4. ↑ Ramirez, Fernando (February 8, 2022). "Austin DSA no longer supporting Greg Casar's campaign". Texas Signal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
    5. ↑ Ramirez, Fernando (February 8, 2022). "Austin DSA no longer supporting Greg Casar's campaign". Texas Signal. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
    6. ↑ Ahlman, Austin; Grim, Ryan (March 1, 2022). "In Texas Primary, Democratic Socialist Greg Casar Prevails With Wide Margin". The Intercept. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022.
    7. ↑ "Elections 2014". City of Austin. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
    8. ↑ "Elections 2016". City of Austin. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
    9. ↑ "Greg Casar wins re-election to District 4 city council seat". KXAN Austin. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
    10. ↑ "Texas election results: Greg Casar wins Congressional District 35 race". KXAN Austin. November 8, 2022. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
    11. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    12. ↑ "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress". Pew Research Center. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
    13. ↑ "Council Member Gregorio Casar - Biography". City of Austin. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    14. ↑ Bova, Gus (June 8, 2022). "Greg Casar Superstar?". The American Prospect. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
    15. ↑ Hamilton, Heath (May 15, 2007). "Strake Jesuit runner gives it his all in state finale". www.chron.com. Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    16. ↑ Goudeau, Ashley (October 27, 2016). "Austin City Council District 4 Election: Meet Greg Casar". KVUE. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    17. ↑ Canzi, Chiara (September 28, 2010). "Living Wagers hope new administration means fair wages". C-VILLE. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    18. ↑ Krisberg, Kris (August 31, 2012). "A Different Kind of Texas-style Justice: Two Nights with the Workers Defense Project". The Pump Project. Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    19. ↑ Pagano, Elizabeth (August 8, 2018). "Greg Casar Fights to Change Austin". Austin Monthly. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    20. ↑ Barnett, Marissa (August 10, 2013). "Hotel Developer Debate Raises Questions over Austin's Incentive Program". Texas Observer. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    21. ↑ Greenhouse, Steven (August 10, 2013). "The Workers Defense Project, a Union in Spirit". The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    22. ↑ "What is 10-ONE". City of Austin. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    23. ↑ Clifton, Jo (August 19, 2015). "Two groups disclaim anti-fluoride email". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    24. ↑ Clifton, Jo (April 17, 2015). "Pressley continues District 4 election contest". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    25. ↑ Findell, Elizabeth (January 15, 2019). "Texas Supreme Court rejects Laura Pressley election contest". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    26. ↑ "Hundreds of Austinites Gather to Protest Donald Trump's Election". kut.org. KUT News. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    27. ↑ Renovitch, James (November 9, 2016). "Council Member Greg Casar Makes Statement on Trump". austinchronicle.com. The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 23, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    28. ↑ McGlinchy, Audrey (November 4, 2020). "2020 Austin City Council Results: Casar And Pool Retain Seats; Flannigan And Alter Head To Runoffs". www.kut.org. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
    29. ↑ Leffler, David (November 2, 2020). "Why Gregorio Casar is the Future of Texas Politics". Austin Monthly Magazine. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
    30. ↑ Wilson, Mark D. "Casar takes first step in bid to replace state Sen. Watson". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
    31. ↑ Gogolak, Emily (April 13, 2018). "How Trump Moved the Mexican Border North". Politico. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    32. 1 2 Shaw, Randy (2018). Generation Priced Out. University of California Press. p. 90.
    33. ↑ "Board Members". Local Progress. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    34. ↑ @GregCasar (November 4, 2021). "A better world is possible, if we fight for it. Organize for it.That's why I'm running for Congress. To stop the…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    35. 1 2 Sandoval, Edgar (March 2, 2022). "Casar, a progressive Democrat, wins a primary race in one of Texas' most liberal House districts". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
    36. 1 2 Mekelburg, Madlin; Donham, Madi (March 1, 2022). "Greg Casar wins Democratic primary election for 35th Congressional District". The Austin American Statesman. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
    37. 1 2 Livingston, Abby (March 1, 2022). "Greg Casar wins Democratic primary for Austin and San Antonio area congressional seat". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
    38. ↑ Axelrod, Tal (March 2, 2022). "Progressive favorite Casar wins primary for redrawn Texas district". The Hill. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
    39. ↑ "Democrat Greg Casar wins election to U.S. House in Texas' 35th Congressional District". MSN. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
    40. ↑ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill . Retrieved June 6, 2023.
    41. 1 2 "US lawmaker Greg Casar ends thirst strike after nine hours". BBC News. July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
    42. ↑ "Congressional Equality Members". February 22, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
    43. ↑ "Progressive Caucus". Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
    44. ↑ "Austin Could 'Ban the Box' for Job Seekers with Felony Histories". The Texas Observer. March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
    45. ↑ Kamp, Amy (March 25, 2016). "Austin First Fair Chance City in the South". austinchronicle.com. Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    46. ↑ Kasakove, Sophie (July 2, 2018). "Cities Are Saying 'No' to ICE by Canceling Their Contracts With the Agency". thenation.com. The Nation. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    47. ↑ Betts, Kris (June 13, 2018). "Council member speaks after head of Austin Police Association calls him out for race data". kvue.com. KVUE. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    48. ↑ Casar, Greg (June 7, 2018). ""Freedom City" laws could protect Texans from unnecessary policing". tribtalk.org. The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    49. ↑ Wilson, Mark (May 7, 2019). "Ticket-worthy misdemeanor arrests in Austin down by nearly two-thirds, police say". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    50. ↑ Casar, Greg (June 14, 2017). "Casar: How Austin curfew ordinance leans harder on black, Latino youth". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    51. ↑ Roman, Ivonne (July 31, 2018). "The Curfew Myth". themarshallproject.org. The Marshall Project. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    52. ↑ Dart, Tom (September 29, 2017). "Austin votes to end its youth curfew amid racial bias concerns". The Guardian . Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    53. ↑ "How Austin Cut One Third of Its Spending on the Police Department". Texas Monthly. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
    54. ↑ McGlinchy, Audrey (April 24, 2017). "Activists weigh in on police contract as city begins negotiations". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    55. ↑ Clifton, Jo (June 18, 2018). "Divided Council rejects more pay for police". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    56. ↑ Freer, Emma (November 15, 2018). "Austin City Council unanimously approves new police contract, creates Office of Police Oversight after months-long process". communityimpact.com. Community Impact. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    57. ↑ "PHOTOS: Demonstrators Clash With Austin Police And State Troopers In Downtown Protest". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. May 30, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    58. ↑ "Another Demonstrator Sues APD After She Says She Was Shot In The Head With 'Less-Lethal' Ammunition". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. November 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    59. ↑ Robert Kuznia and Casey Tolan (June 25, 2020). "When it comes to police oversight, many watchdogs lack teeth". CNN. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    60. ↑ Venkataramanan, Meena (August 13, 2020). "Austin City Council cuts police department budget by one-third, mainly through reorganizing some duties out from law enforcement oversight". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    61. ↑ "How Austin Cut One Third of Its Spending on the Police Department". Texas Monthly. November 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    62. ↑ Holder, Sarah; Akinnibi, Fola; Cannon, Christopher. "America's Big Cities Aren't Defunding the Police". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    63. ↑ "Austin, Texas, Proposition A, Affordable Housing Bond Issue (November 2018)". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    64. ↑ Shaw, Randy (2018). Generation Priced Out. University of California Press. p. 94.
    65. ↑ Tobias, Jimmy (June 8, 2018). "Activists in Austin Have a Novel Plan to Tackle its Affordable-Housing Crisis". thenation.com. The Nation. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    66. ↑ "2018 Election Results: Austin Shoots Down Props J And K, Approves $925 Million In Bonds". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. November 7, 2018. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    67. ↑ Clark-Madison, Mike (February 8, 2019). ""Affordability Unlocked" With More Density, Casar Hopes". www.austinchronicle.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    68. ↑ Jankowski, Phillip (May 5, 2019). "City Council enacts building bonuses to boost affordable housing". msn.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    69. ↑ Casar, Greg (March 18, 2019). "Casar: Our pro-housing and anti-gentrification movements can co-exist". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    70. ↑ "Waiving Regulations for Affordable Housing Shows Results in Austin". nextcity.org. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    71. ↑ Rockwell, Lilly (September 4, 2016). "Austin City Council eases regulations on garage apartments". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    72. ↑ Whitson, Tyler (November 20, 2015). "Council loosens rules on accessory dwelling units". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    73. ↑ SantaCruz, Gissela (May 7, 2015). "Greg Casar joins mobile home fight, showing power of 10-1". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    74. 1 2 Pritchard, Caleb (May 5, 2015). "Casar helps trailer park residents sue new owners". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    75. ↑ Burton, Katherine (April 9, 2014). "Goldman Alum Gives Up Funds to Become Trailer-Park Mogul". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Archived from the original on May 19, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    76. ↑ Caterine, Joseph (December 15, 2017). "Austin's Disappearing Mobile Home Communities". austinchronicle.com. Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    77. ↑ Caterine, Joseph (April 15, 2016). "Fighting to Stay". austinchronicle.com. Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    78. ↑ "Council Member Gregorio Casar raises community voices for diversity and inclusion". todoaustin.com. ToDoAustin. November 2, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    79. ↑ Huber, Huber (November 13, 2016). "At Trump protest, Austin mayor vows to keep immigrant families safe". statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    80. ↑ McGlinchy, Audrey (November 16, 2016). "Is Austin a Sanctuary City? Good Question". kut.org. KUT News. Archived from the original on February 19, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    81. ↑ Plohetski, Tony (February 23, 2017). "Austin No. 1 in U.S. — for non-criminals arrested in ICE raids". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    82. ↑ Speri, Alice (October 4, 2017). "Internal Emails Show ICE Agents Struggling to Substantiate Trump's Lies About Immigrants". The Intercept. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
    83. ↑ Prazen, Phil (December 15, 2016). "Austin to pay for immigrant legal services: documented and undocumented". KXAN.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
    84. ↑ "Know Your Rights Under SB4". aclutx.org. ACLU of Texas. March 13, 2018. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    85. ↑ Bien, Calily (May 1, 2017). "Austin Council Member Greg Casar arrested during sanctuary cities protest". kxan.com. KXAN. Retrieved May 22, 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
    86. ↑ Casar, Gregorio (May 17, 2017). "Why Texans are fighting anti-immigrant legislation". The New York Times . Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    87. ↑ Planas, Roque (May 16, 2017). "Lots Of People To Sue Texas Over Immigration Crackdown". huffpost.com. HuffPost. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    88. ↑ "Bipartisan Latino state lawmakers speak out against impending Texas immigration law". NBC News. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    89. ↑ "December GBM 2021". YouTube . December 18, 2021.
    90. 1 2 3 4 "Greg Casar, DSA, and Palestine: Will It Matter?". www.austinchronicle.com.
    91. ↑ "Austin DSA Leadership Committee Statement on Greg Casar and Palestinian Liberation - Red Fault". February 6, 2022.
    92. ↑ Deutch, Gabby. "In Texas 35, Greg Casar outlines his approach on Israel and the Palestinians". Jewish Insider. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
    93. ↑ "NEWS: Congressman Greg Casar joins colleagues to call for a ceasefire; strategic & moral clarity". House.gov. House of Representatives. October 17, 2023.
    94. ↑ "118th Congress (2023-2024): Calling for an immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine". Congress.gov. October 16, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
    95. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (April 20, 2024). "Roll Call 152 Roll Call 152, Bill Number: H. R. 8034, 118th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved April 25, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    96. ↑ Behringer, Jenna (April 20, 2024). "Statement from Jayapal, Castro, Velázquez, Doggett, Khanna, Ocasio-Cortez, Balint, Casar, Takano, McGovern, Barbara Lee, Blumenauer, Chu, Johnson, Carson, Watson Coleman, Jesús "Chuy" García, Jonathan Jackson, and Tokuda on the Israel Security Supplemental". Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
    97. ↑ Kamp, Amy (September 16, 2015). "Setting an Example". austinchronicle.com. Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    98. ↑ Craver, Jack (August 17, 2017). "City employees likely to see raise in 2018". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    99. ↑ Moravec, Eva (March 25, 2016). "Council extends living wage to subcontractors". austinmonitor.com. Austin Monitor. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    100. ↑ "Austin Passes First Paid Sick Leave Policy in the South". The Texas Observer. February 16, 2018. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    101. ↑ Tobias, Jimmy (February 16, 2018). "Austin just brought paid sick leave to the South". The Nation. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    102. ↑ Samuels, Alex (April 24, 2019). "Dallas to require employers to offer paid sick leave as Texas lawmakers debate banning such ordinances". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    103. ↑ Platoff, Emma (June 5, 2020). "Rejecting appeal, Texas Supreme Court blocks Austin's paid sick leave ordinance". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    104. ↑ Zdun, Matt (November 16, 2018). "State appeals court says Austin's paid sick leave ordinance is unconstitutional". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
    105. ↑ Zdun, Matt (November 16, 2018). "State appeals court says Austin's paid sick leave ordinance is unconstitutional". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    106. ↑ Goudeau, Ashley (February 14, 2019). "Texas lawmakers file bills to prohibit paid sick leave ordinances". KVUE.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    107. ↑ Miller, Justin (May 20, 2019). "The GOP Failed to Ban Paid Sick Leave and the Business Lobby is Livid". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
    108. ↑ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
    109. ↑ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". U.S. News & World Report . March 8, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023.
    110. ↑ Grim, Murtaza Hussain, Ryan (February 28, 2024). "Members of Congress Demand Biden Withhold Recognition of Coalition Claiming Power in Pakistan". The Intercept. Retrieved March 20, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    111. ↑ "Greg Casar". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
    112. ↑ "City of Austin - Office of the City Clerk - Election History | AustinTexas.gov". services.austintexas.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
    Political offices
    New constituency Member of the Austin City Council
    from the 4th district
    2015–2022    		Succeeded by
    Chito Vela
    U.S. House of Representatives
    Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
    from Texas's 35th congressional district
    2023–present    		Incumbent
    Party political offices
    Preceded by Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
    Taking office 2025    		Designate
    U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
    Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
    359th    		Succeeded by
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.