Posted 7:16 a.m. March 12: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker took the stage during the opening day of South by Southwest Conference & Festivals to focus on love and acceptance as a powerful tool to conquer some of the problems currently facing the U.S. "We need each other," Booker said at the conference. "We have to make an unusual and extraordinary commitment to one another for this country to make it." Watch the video below for the full keynote speech.
Updated 7:10 p.m.: Austin mayor stresses importance of local government during SXSW panel Mayors of three progressive cities took the stage during the first day of South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals to talk local control, battling Washington, D.C., on public policy and gaining the trust of citizens. Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer joined Emily Ramshaw, The Texas Tribune's editor-in-chief, Friday to tell SXSW attendees the fight against what is happening politically at the national level starts at the local level. [caption id="attachment_227964" align="alignright" width="220"]
From left: City of Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and City of Austin Mayor Steve Adler sit on a panel moderated by The Texas Tribune's editor-in-chief, Emily Ramshaw.[/caption]
On immigration
"Our values have to remain the same," said Stanton, adding cities like Phoenix need to push for a more innovative economy and more "pro-people policies" that are related to issues like immigration. Adler said following the November election of U.S. President Donald Trump, it was critical to give citizens a sense of hope and reaffirm that they can trust local officials, particularly as it relates to immigration.
.@MayorAdler: What did not change [after the presidential election] is the culture and spirit and soul of this city. #ATX #SXSW
— Marie Albiges (@MarieAlbiges) March 10, 2017
Adler mentioned Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's $1.5 million cuts in federal grants designated to Travis County after Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said local compliance with federal immigration authorities would be limited. "When the community was faced with that ultimatum, our community said, 'Keep us safe,'" he said. Since then, a Kickstarter campaign to make up the lost money has raised about $136,000 as of March 9.
On local control
Issues being discussed at the state level—such as the bathroom bill and statewide regulations on ride-sharing services—have to be monitored at the local levels, the mayors said. Adler said he hoped the local community would be able to choose whether ride-hailing companies are required to fingerprint drivers, but state legislation may change that. The mayor took a stance on the bathroom bill, which, if passed in Texas, would mandate people use bathrooms designated to their biological sex. "It is a horrible solution to a nonexistent problem," Adler said.
