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Friday, October 16, 2015
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CITY
City Council passes rideshare reform By Lauren Florence @laurenreneeflo
City Council passed approval to amend city code regulations Thursday for rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, including fingerprint background checks and annual operating fees Thursday evening. The council amended the regulations after suggestions by the Austin Mobility Committee at an Oct. 7 meeting.
The proposed regulations would apply to all transportation network companies, or TNCs, which includes vehicle-for-hire apps like Uber and Lyft. In a public testimony in support of fingerprint background checking, Emily LeBlanc, director of community advocacy for SafePlace, said reports in recent months have shown four transportation network company drivers were linked to incidences of
sexual harassment or assault. Ken Casaday, president of the Austin Police Association, said there is no way to catch predators without having a fingerprint on file. Casaday said taxis and rideshare companies prevent deaths associated with drunk driving. Council member Don Zimmerman, who voted against the resolution, said citizens do not want regulations for transportation network companies. He said the fingerprints are
just another obstacle and create friction for people interested in rideshare driving. Council member Ellen Troxclair said Uber and Lyft currently operate in cities without fingerprinting regulations and the rule could make rideshare companies leave Austin. “[Drunk driving] is such a serious problem in our city and knowing how difficult it is often to find safe rides late at night or when someone
has been drinking … if there is a way to make this work so that the TNCs will stay in Austin, then that is great,” Troxclair said. Council member Ann Kitchen said she believes the council will be able to find a process for increased background checks that do not create barriers for drivers. Kitchen said the city is learning that there needs to be a nationwide
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STATE
Abbott declares state of disaster in Bastrop By Matthew Adams @MatthewAdams60
Following another set of wildfires in Bastrop County, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a state of disaster for the county Thursday morning. As of Thursday evening, the fire encompassed 4,383 acres of land and 25 percent of the fire was contained, according to KVUE. When the fire first took off, nine homes were burned and the fires threatened 150 homes. No deaths have been reported so far, and the authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire. At Abbott’s press conference, he thanked officials with state agencies and members of the community working to contain any damage and protect the citizens. In order to handle these fires, Abbott said they are working to get more aircraft resources in the county.
FIRE page 2
Matthew Adams | Daily Texan Staff
Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference about the Bastrop County wildfires. While thanking people for their help containing the wildfires, Abbott announced a state of disaster for the county.
CAMPUS
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UNIVERSITY
Longhorn Foundation crowdfunds scholarships By Catherine Marfin @thedailytexan
Coinciding with the release of the film “My All American,” the Longhorn Foundation for Texas Athletics launched its first ever crowdfunding campaign to fully endow the Fred Steinmark Fund. According to a UT press release, the film “My All American” tells the story of undersized Freddie Steinmark, who was offered a scholarship by Coach Darrell K Royal, and went on as starting safety for the 1969 national champion football team. After UT’s victory against No. 2 Arkansas, a cancerous tumor was found in Steinmark’s left thigh. Steinmark’s leg had to be amputated, but he returned to the sidelines on crutches to support his team during the Cotton Bowl against Notre Dame, where the Longhorns defeated Notre Dame 2117. Two years later, Steinmark passed away in Houston. “The goal of the scholarship is to highlight Freddie’s characteristics of perseverance, teamwork and dedication that are emphasized in UT athletics,” Julie Frey, assistant communications manager for UT Athletics, said. “We want to bring the story to more people and inspire others through his life.” Crowdfunding through the Steinmark Fund website began Sept. 9, and will continue through the end of December. Donors receive memorabilia for $50, $250, $1,000 and $2,500 contributions, but there
FUND page 2
CAMPUS
Rally promotes healthy relationships By Mikaela Cannizzo
Government junior Audrey Hartman “fishes” for questions about healthy relationships and consent at a rally hosted by Voices Against Violence on Thursday morning.
@mikaelac16
Christina Severson | Daily Texan Staff
Artist Michael Ray Charles discusses the inspirations and purpose behind his newly installed piece Thursday evening.
Sculpture symbolizes mobility of minorities By Ellie Breed @elliebreed
To many people, crutches symbolize weakness and limitation. However, “(Forever Free) Ideas, Languages, and Conversations,” a new sculpture installed in the Gordon-White building, turns crutches into symbols of mobility and connects the past and present for minority cultures, according to the artist, Michael Ray Charles. Hosted by Landmarks, the interview with Charles explored
the construction and symbolic nature of his installation. The sculpture, which is suspended in mid-air and made of wooden crutches arranged in star-like formations, is placed in an atrium that connects a classic 1950s style building and a newly constructed addition. The location of the piece in that building and on a campus with diverse areas of study is central to its message, according to Charles. “I could not avoid ponder-
SCULPTURE page 2
Students navigated components of healthy relationships at a nautical-themed rally hosted by Voices Against Violence on Thursday afternoon. The rally, part of Relationship Violence Prevention Month, encouraged students to respond to questions about topics such as consent and effective communication. Erin Burrows, prevention and outreach specialist for Voices Against Violence, said she wants to stop violence before it occurs by facilitating a community-wide conversation on the issue. “We are creating a culture where people can identify for themselves when they’re in a relationship that might be abusive or harmful,” Burrows said. “We landed on this idea of waves [for the rally theme] — in every relationship there are these natural peaks and valleys of what happens in that relationship.” Health and society junior Tori Salinas said she thinks it is important to recognize red flags such as persistent
Rachel Zein Daily Texan Staff
calling and texting from a partner, or wearing oversized clothing to hide bruises that might indicate unhealthy relationships. “[The rally] helps foster an environment in which we hold each other accountable and that students understand there are other students wanting to help,” Salinas said. According to the American Association of Universities sexual assault survey, 18.5 percent of female undergraduates and 5 percent of male undergraduates at UT surveyed reported being victims of sexual assault.
Burrows said she wants to use the rally and other events to promote awareness and catalyze a conversation among students. Jordan Wilk, English senior and volunteer at the rally, said she promotes awareness among students on how to maintain healthy relationships, even if they have not experienced a form of relationship violence. “I think even if someone doesn’t have personal experience, it’s really important that we know how to navigate healthy relationships so we can be supportive for our
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
ONLINE
Minority students awarded money for grad school. ONLINE
Dildo carry protest inspires misogynistic comments. PAGE 4
The Longhorns host first swim meet in Austin. PAGE 7
Daniel Handler talks literary persona Lemony Snicket. PAGE 8
Political commentator talks Clinton, Sanders. ONLINE
Letter to the Editor: FRI program engages freshmen. PAGE 4
Texas faces Red Raiders in chase for Big 12 title. PAGE 7
UT alumni host event in honor of Oktoberfest. PAGE 8
Check out our video recap of the Texan Talks conversation regarding student political involvement at dailytexanonline.com
friends, family and people in our life,” Wilk said. While Burrows said the focus of violence prevention discussions are aimed at relationships within the contexts of dating, she also said fostering healthy relationships with roommates, friends and family are important too. “A lot of these skills and ideas are applicable no matter what kind of relationship you’re thinking about,” Burrows said. “This information can be applied to increase your connectivity with any of these people in your life.”
REASON TO PARTY
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