Councilman Joe Krier, District 9

08/27/2015

This morning, Assistant City Manager Carlos Contreras and I went on Texas Week with Gilbert Garcia to talk about the future of San Antonio International Airport and the possibility of a regional airport between San Antonio and Austin. Watch the interview Friday at 8 p.m. on KLRN.
This was one of Carlos' first outings as acting director of the City's Aviation Department, which operates the San Antonio International Airport. Carlos is a highly talented executive, and I'm thrilled City Manager Sheryl Sculley appointed him to this crucial position. Under Carlos, I'm confident we're going to see a more creative and aggressive approach to developing our airport -- including winning more direct air service.

08/19/2015

This is a sobering story about how the San Antonio International Airport stacks up against facilities in other big cities. Having a user-friendly airport with more direct flights is critical to keeping our economy strong. We must be more creative and aggressive when it comes to building up our airport.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently named San Antonio as one of the 10 fastest growing, big cities in the country. Area planners estimate one million more

08/17/2015

I am distressed and saddened to learn of another anti-Semitic attack, this time on the grounds of Congregation Agudas Achim in District 9. Hateful acts such as this have no place in civil society, and are in no way representative of San Antonio or District 9.

After meeting with Rabbi Scheinberg of Congregation Rodfei Sholom following graffiti attacks there last week, I asked Police Chief Trevino to work tirelessly to track down the perpetrator/s of this crime. Today, I call on him to redouble his department’s efforts in light of the racist vandalism discovered this morning at Congregation Agudas Achim.

08/06/2015

This morning, City Manager Sheryl Sculley outlined a $2.5 billion budget proposal for Council. At first blush, it looks like a solid plan that puts a strong emphasis on basic services and includes a modest reduction in our property tax rates. But because of the sheer size and scope of our budgets, I have a lot of questions, and so do my colleagues. We'll spend the next five weeks getting the answers we need and that our constituents need.

I'd like to thank the City Manager and her staff for the hard work they've already put in and for the hard work that lies ahead.

08/05/2015

Great news! Securing ultra high-speed broadband is a crucial step in making our IT and cybersecurity firms more competitive, increasing our universities' research capacity, and allowing San Antonians to get the most out of the Internet.

San Antonio will soon join the short list of cities selected to receive Google Fiber‘s high-speed, fiber-optic broadband service, sources told San Antonio Express-News Senior Reporter Josh Baugh. According to ...

08/05/2015

I sat down with KSAT's Steve Spriester yesterday to talk about why we need commuter rail service to the Austin area and how we can make it happen. If you didn't catch Steve's great report last night, please take a few minutes to watch it.

A commuter rail line that would link Austin and San Antonio has a big supporter pushing for the idea

08/04/2015

I'm looking forward to talking about LSTAR and our need for SA-to-Austin commuter rail service with David Martin Davies today at 3 pm on TPR's The Source at 89.1 FM. Listen in!

08/03/2015

We need commuter rail service between San Antonio and Austin. It would strengthen our regional economy, which means more jobs, and reduce air pollution and congestion on I-35. Please take a few minutes to read my guest commentary in today's Express-News.

The passenger rail service would move thousands of students, professionals and academics, tourists, and friends and family up and down the Interstate 35 corridor.

07/29/2015

So proud that we've broken on the San Antonio International Airport's new rental car facility. This project is going to make life a lot easier for travelers arriving in our beautiful city.

07/23/2015

In the process, she revealed a political temperament that’s perfectly suited now to tangle with an intransigent police union. At the mic, mayoral candidate Mike Villarreal tried to appease both sides, suggesting the adversaries should “sit down and have a conversation.” After 18 months, the police u…

07/10/2015

The City elections are nearly a month behind us. It’s time to finally hammer out a labor contract that’s fair to both our first-responders and taxpayers.

This stalemate has been costly. It’s created acrimony and is costing the City $1.2 million a month in additional heath care costs, which we’re incurring because the police union didn’t accept the City’s last, best offer. Those are tax dollars that could have gone to street repairs and hiring more police officers.

Starting with Friday’s bargaining session, let’s keep working until we have a deal that is acceptable to our police officers and firefighters – and is financially sustainable, without crowding out other basic services.

07/04/2015

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the C...