Lifelong Democratic Leader:
- South Austin Democrats, Vice-President (2019-present)
- Capital Area Progressive Democrats, Chair/President (2001-2005 and 2010-2014)
- Member of numerous Democratic Party clubs
- Delegate to every Texas State Democratic Convention except one since 1994; Resolutions Committee 5 Conventions
- Past chair of Precincts 447, 451
Decades of Community Leadership:
- Shiloh Oaks NA (Current Member), Armadillo Park NA (Founding Member)
- GoAustin/Vamos Austin ’45 Sector Leader (2013-15)
- Religious Coalition to Assist the Homeless, Board Member, 2014-present
- St. Vincent dePaul Society, Austin Central District Council, Board President and Austin Diocesan Council, Board Member (2006-2012, 2018-present)
Ken is a longtime Democratic leader who has worked to solve real problems for South Austin while serving as Senior Policy Advisor for Councilmember Ann Kitchen for over 7 years
Thanks to Ken's tireless work with our city's mental health emergency response system, we now have a way for families to request mental health assistance when they call 911 (AustinCARES). There's more to do to make sure families get needed mental health treatment directly, without an unnecessary arrest and incarceration. Ken has the experience and heart to make it happen.
Examples of initiatives where Ken played an important role in city action:
- Promoted higher senior tax exemptions and the 20% homestead exemption
- Led in launching the HEAL Initiative to connect unsheltered people to housing, services, and jobs
- Public Safety Reform: For the past three years led the effort in the city to bring about the AustinCARES program, which responds to mental health crises with mental health professionals. A mental health crisis is a health care crisis and requires a health care response.
- Expanded affordable housing and ensured broader community benefits from development
- Acted to reduce future flood risk from Onion and Williamson Creeks
- Worked with neighborhoods to improve sidewalks, street, and traffic safety
- Worked with Planned Parenthood to support reproductive rights
- Helped protect Stephenson Preserve, advance Water Forward initiatives and development of an integrated Green Infrastructure Plan
- Helped pursue fleet electrification, maximum green building standards for all city construction or purchasing, stronger incentives for water re-use plans, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel generated power, and creating a Climate Equity Plan
- Worked for passage of gun safety measures such as safe locks and prohibiting APD sales of guns to civilian
- Increasing worker protections, including living wage, Better Builder standards, wage theft protections
- Increasing the living wage and improving working conditions for city employees, including the 911 call center
- Maintained 4 person staffing and operational control for Austin Firefighters