Austin Approves $144 Million in Police Cuts (Corrected)

The Austin City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a $4.2 billion budget that includes $144 million in cuts to police.

Final approval of the budget followed calls for cuts to police funding amid ongoing protests against police brutality. A 20-year old Black protester identified as Justin Howell suffered brain damage after being shot by police with “less-lethal” ammunition, several local media outlets, including The Texas Tribune, reportedin June.

The council approved $290 million for the Austin Police Department—a drop from the $434 million earmarked in an earlier proposal, according to a city release.

A Black Lives Matter protest outside the Austin Police Department on July 26, 2020, in Austin, Texas.

Photographer: Sergio Flores/Getty Images