APD vs. Music: More To The Story!

Part of the agenda on last Thursday's Austin City Council meeting was to establish the long-awaited Music Department that was recommended by the recent Live Music Task Force. It was suddenly decided to delay that decision, based on the request of Council Member Sheryl Cole. According to Ms. Cole, "We're closing pools, changing library hours and are even in the midst of budget negotiations with our public safety employees, so I think all that needs to be considered before we make a decision to create an additional department." Council Member Mike Martinez asserted that the department could be budget neutral by using already existing staff of the Austin Convention Center.

Turns out, according to this article in the Austin American-Statesman, "Austin police union officials warned city leaders in rushed meetings last week that a City Council decision to create a music department could jeopardize their offer to possibly forfeit or defer their 2010 pay raises, a potential $5 million savings to the city."

So not only are police officers arbitrarily enforcing laws that are not designed to protect people or property (while NOT enforcing laws that ARE - I have a whole story to tell about THAT); they are also throwing their weight around to try and prevent the creation of a department that, in theory, will help give those who speak on behalf of the Austin music industry some influence in governmental actions.

What is the hidden agenda here?