Texas Scorecard Cites AIM Investigation Amid Citizen-led Reform in Austin
January 28, 2026
Austin City Council members have passed a resolution that will require consultations with public sector unions before fiscal reforms can proceed.
The council resolution, approved without discussion as part of Thursday’s consent agenda, creates “a consultation policy for representatives of the City Manager’s Office to consult with Local 1624 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, on issues that substantially impact the City’s civilian workforce.”
The resolution requires the office of the city manager to “meet regularly with” the union. It further creates a “consultation committee” within the city manager’s office.
The consultation committee’s jurisdiction covers “employment policies and procedures; working conditions; and future City actions that may require departmental reorganization, departmental restructuring, and/or reductions in force.” The resolution also requires discussion over the use of artificial intelligence and automation.
The union in question supported the Democrat quorum break in 2025 that halted legislative business.
The resolution was sponsored by councilmember Mike Seigel, a close political ally of U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D–Austin), who was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America’s local chapter.
“This policy would require consultation with …union reps before making any major changes,” Siegel recently stated on social media.
“Government unions are close to running the show in Austin. If this power grab is successful, the average Austinite should expect higher taxes, bigger government, and more bureaucracy,” James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation told Texas Scorecard.
“Add this to the long and growing list of misguided city actions that need attention from the Texas Legislature,” Quintero continued.
Legislation that would have abolished the Austin City Council received a committee hearing in 2025 and is expected to return in 2027.
In addition to the council’s demonstrated deference to the local union, a recent undercover video from watchdog group Accuracy in Media illustrated Austin government employees’ continued devotion to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ideology.
The video features a conversation with an unidentified employee of the Office of Equity and Inclusion who boasts of rebranding DEI ideology.
The Austin City Council has allocated over $6 million for “equity and inclusion” in Austin’s municipal budget for 2026.
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