Civil Rights and Wrongs for April 12, 2022

This Tuesday we have an encore presentation from last September, when we spoke with Gus Bova, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer.  At that time, Gus had authored two engaging stories.  First, “The Final Frontera” – byline: “Elon Musk wants to go to Mars.  Money, regulations and public beaches are no object.”  It’s SpaceX vs. Boca Chica.   Second, “Life and Death in a Texas Homeless Camp” – byline: “As the unhoused population grows, cities like Austin turn to legalized camps.”  Abbott’s Camp, Camp RATT, the Esperanza Community – no matter what the name, the environment is bleak, but the residents are human.  We’re also joined by Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.  And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer, is with us, too.

Later in the episode, we’ll have a new report from Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle.  He updates us on City Council’s decision to allow construction of a jet fuel farm at the edge of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.  How does the city balance accelerated population growth with plans for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 20 years?  We also learn about efforts by employees of Integral Care to unionize.  Integral Care is the largest mental health care provider in Travis County.