The Travis County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted unanimously on Sunday to oppose Proposition K, the ballot item to require the city to conduct an audit of every department. The group voted after hearing speeches opposing the item from Council Member Greg Casar, Mayor Steve Adler, and Laura Morrison, the former council member seeking to unseat Adler. Local political consultant David Butts has pointed out connections between the audit idea and a number of right-wing groups. A story in Monday’s Austin American-Statesman points out that the group backing Proposition K appears to have broken local campaign finance law by shielding the names of donors to the organization. But the group, whose only known contact person is former Ellen Troxclair aide Michael Searle, put out a press release on Monday castigating the Democratic Party for failing to invite proponents of the audit measure to their meeting. Attorney Bill Aleshire told the Austin Monitor via email, “I personally favor full disclosure of the real source of every political contribution. But voters should judge the efficiency audit prop on what it will or will not do. Adler and Butts are also engaged in stupid political strategy trying to get the Democratic Party executive committee involved. When the Travis County Democratic Party opposes an efficiency audit of the city, it shows why our party may never get back voters who are angry at the cost and waste in government. The Democratic Party should stay focused on getting our candidates elected. Opposing Prop K won’t help.”

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