Topic: Judge Alshire

Steve Lane proposes making the Absent Students Assistance Project (ASAP) voluntary rather than mandatory for parents in Austin and Del Valle. He argues that the current implementation involving constable visits is counterproductive and suggests using the $875,000 budget for teachers, classrooms, or automated computer calling systems instead. Lane encourages citizens to write letters to County Commissioners and Darwin McKee to protest the program's current structure.

The host argues that the ASAP program disproportionately targets minority and politically weak neighborhoods in Austin while avoiding affluent areas like Westlake Hills. He cites budget talks where Judge Alshire questioned the program's statistics. Lane concludes that there is no evidence the program improves attendance, suggesting that any increases are actually due to better school reporting methods.