In Austin, Texas, a controversial proposition that would’ve forced local officials to drastically increase the city’s police force appears doomed. According to early vote totals in Travis County, where the bulk of Austin’s voters live, 67 percent of residents voted against Prop A, while just 33 percent of voters voted for it. The fight over this proposition was somewhat viewed as a referendum on Austin’s scaled-down approach to policing — which was implemented after months of racial justice protests throughout the city. But the proposal was even opposed by the city’s firefighters, who argued the measure would force Austin to lay off hundreds of employees including firefighters, medics and librarians.
