County Attorney Reviewing Complaint, Brian Rodgers Will Not Run for Council
In response to major media attention stemming from The Austin Bulldog’s investigative report published earlier today about possible violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act by the Austin City Council, Travis County Attorney David Escamilla issued a statement saying he had received and is reviewing a complaint “alleging that Austin City Council members, including the Mayor, have violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, specifically Section 551.143.
“The complaint alleges the Mayor and Council have coordinated a regular series of private gatherings of Council members in numbers less than a quorum to conduct private discussions; thereby avoiding the public notice and meeting requirements of the Act.”
Escamilla did not reveal the name of the complainant, but Brian Rodgers, who featured prominently in The Austin Bulldog’s investigative report, said he is the person who filed it.
Rodgers, who was considering running for a seat on the Austin City Council, as reported by The Austin Bulldog January 12, just announced he is no longer considering that possibility.
“The important issues I am raising will be tainted with accusations of self-interest if I run for city council,” Rodgers said in a prepared statement. “People will think I am raising them just to get elected, and that is not the case. Therefore I am withdrawing my name from further consideration.
“There is more power in changing the public mind than occupying one seat on the Austin City Council. My efforts will continue to be directed at organizing the voters with the help of my friends and colleagues at ChangeAustin.org, exposing the power of special interests and finding solutions that make our city great for everyone.”
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