The city of Austin adopted the catch-phrase "Live Music Capital of the World" some years ago and but has done little to actually live up to the name. Venues are closing due to out of control and over-inflated property values and the lack of support from the city leaders in promoting local, live music and instead focusing the majority of their time and energy on annual events such as SXSW and ACL.

By instituting rent controls in districts officially designated as "Cultural Districts", the existing venues that actually showcase live Austin music on a regular basis have a much greater chance of survival and enables our local musicians, sound board operators, servers, photographers, and numerous others the chance to earn a living.

Supporting live music benefits our economy and enriches our culture and it is imperative that our city council strongly consider a rent control proposal for our Cultural Districts in order for the "Live Music Capital of the World" to be more than just an empty slogan.