Ann O'M. Bowman is a Professor of Government in the Department of Public Service and Administration in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and holds the Hazel Davis and Robert Kennedy Endowed Chair.  She is the co-author of several books including State and Local Government  and Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies.

• Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction: The Best Place to Live in America? 1. How Austin Became the City It Is Today . . . and What the City Council Had to Do with It 2 .Austin and the Long Road to City Council Districts 3. The Impact of Council Electoral Change Conclusion: Looking below the Surface . . . and Forward Notes Bibliography Index

“This is a deeply researched yet readable analysis of Austin’s shift in city council composition. Austinites will recognize the players and positions, but the interested reader will find much to ponder as well. The impact of Austin’s new governance structure is still evolving-and this book is essential for understanding it.”-Annise Parker, former Mayor of Houston

Ann O'M. Bowman is a Professor of Government in the Department of Public Service and Administration in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and holds the Hazel Davis and Robert Kennedy Endowed Chair.  She is the co-author of several books including State and Local Government  and Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies.

• Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction: The Best Place to Live in America? 1. How Austin Became the City It Is Today . . . and What the City Council Had to Do with It 2 .Austin and the Long Road to City Council Districts 3. The Impact of Council Electoral Change Conclusion: Looking below the Surface . . . and Forward Notes Bibliography Index

“This is a deeply researched yet readable analysis of Austin’s shift in city council composition. Austinites will recognize the players and positions, but the interested reader will find much to ponder as well. The impact of Austin’s new governance structure is still evolving-and this book is essential for understanding it.”-Annise Parker, former Mayor of Houston

Ann O'M. Bowman is a Professor of Government in the Department of Public Service and Administration in the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and holds the Hazel Davis and Robert Kennedy Endowed Chair.  She is the co-author of several books including State and Local Government  and Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies.

• Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction: The Best Place to Live in America? 1. How Austin Became the City It Is Today . . . and What the City Council Had to Do with It 2 .Austin and the Long Road to City Council Districts 3. The Impact of Council Electoral Change Conclusion: Looking below the Surface . . . and Forward Notes Bibliography Index

“This is a deeply researched yet readable analysis of Austin’s shift in city council composition. Austinites will recognize the players and positions, but the interested reader will find much to ponder as well. The impact of Austin’s new governance structure is still evolving-and this book is essential for understanding it.”-Annise Parker, former Mayor of Houston