Article Discussion
The issue of police brutality has continuously been debated for the better part of the year, especially since the death of George Floyd while in police custody. Recently, the City Council of Austin agreed unanimously to slash the police department’s budget. An article on the Texas Standard highlights that the budget cuts will be reinvested in other sectors to promote social welfare. Although this decision seems to benefit Texans in Austin, the political class will use it as leverage for influence. As per Laswell’s definition of politics, several groups are likely to benefit from the debate surrounding police budget cuts. Republicans have gained a new campaign material ahead of the elections slated for November this year. They argue that the unanimous decision to reduce police funding will affect security in the region (Thomas & Tufts, 2020). Governor Greg Abbott has already threatened to freeze property tax revenues for all cities that cut police budgets. Such policies will increase the Republican’s political advantage in Texas as the election dates get closer. Although the Austin City Council is nonpartisan, the unanimous decision to slash police budgets indicates an inclination towards one political side. The issues of police brutality and budget cuts or increases for the Police department are likely to be the main campaign items in Texas.
Reference
McGlincy, A. (2020). Austin Cuts and Reinvests 5% Of Police Budget, Promises More Changes Over the Next Year. Texas Standard. Retrieved from https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/austin-city-council-proposes-cutting-police-funding-by-a-third-it-could-vote-wednesday/
Thomas, M. P., & Tufts, S. (2020). Blue solidarity: police unions, race, and authoritarian populism in North America. Work, Employment and Society, 34(1), 126-144. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017019863653