Signatures collected on behalf of One Voice Central Texas
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers:
As leaders from Austin’s diverse faith communities, we are united by a shared commitment to the dignity of every person and the responsibility we all share to care for our neighbors. While our traditions differ, we are guided by common values of compassion, justice, stewardship, and service to those who are most vulnerable. We recognize that developing the City’s budget requires difficult choices and responsible stewardship of public resources.
At the same time, we write as we are deeply concerned by the proposed $5.1 million reduction this year, with a potential for another $6-$8 million more in cuts next year, to broad categories of social services that support Austin families, older adults, children, survivors of violence, and individuals facing poverty, food insecurity, behavioral health challenges, or economic hardship.
Our congregations witness these needs every day. Indeed, many of us provide food, shelter, counseling, transportation, emergency assistance, and volunteer support to our neighbors. Yet faith communities cannot meet these challenges alone. Effective nonprofit organizations and public investments are indispensable partners in caring for our neighbors and helping people move from crisis to stability.
Accountability and compassion are not competing values – they strengthen one another when public resources are directed to programs that work. We ask that you take the time to discern and identify, with particularity, those indispensable programs achieving intended outcomes, before implementing any social services reductions. As well, we hope and trust the City will exhaust and address its internal inefficiencies and cost overruns before eliminating these vital services for our neighbors in need.
We pray for your wisdom and discernment as you make these important decisions, and we remain committed to partnering with the City to build a more just, compassionate, and resilient Austin. We believe Austin can meet its fiscal responsibilities while continuing to invest in programs that uphold human dignity, strengthen families, and create opportunities for all residents to thrive.
Respectfully,
Faith Leaders of Austin