Don Zimmerman meets opponent at RLC Debate

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,"
Ephesians 6:14

Don Zimmerman faced off with his opponent in the Austin City Council district 6 runoff tonight.  While the debate was friendly and the candidates had meaningful areas of agreement, there was a clear difference in style.  Don's opponent argues that the district would be better served by a go-along-to-get-along representative, Don argues in favor of shaking up the status quo.



Highlights:

• Libertarian leaning "Ron Paul Republican"  

• Political liberty is a very, very, serious thing.

• I'm all for singing kumbaya, but there comes a time you have to stand up for your liberties.

• "I'm the only candidate in this city who has actually abolished a property tax."

Debate Notes:

• Opponent has background in "workforce development"

• Don on traffic: "We need road expansion."
• Opposes rail on Guadelupe: "Just no good for moving people."

• Opponent: Transportation problems are caused by land use.

• Opponent endorses something along the lines of zero-based budgeting.

• Don: "The spending habits have got to be broken."
• Audit the City.
• New City Manager.

• Don: Homestead exemption "a step in the right direction."
• Eliminate City Economic Development department.
• 3% across the board budget cut.
• Spending drives taxes.

• Opponent: Restructure Austin Energy and Water.

• Opponent: Militarization of police "frightening." 

• Don: Appoint "technical people and engineers" to boards and commissions.

• Don: Against sanctuary cities.
• Opponent: For sanctuary cities.

• Don: Singing kumbaya doesn't work.

Highlights:

• City government doesn't respect rule of law.

Highlights:

• Got to make city government follow rule of law.

• Audit all city departments.

• The people who know him best put him over the top.