$500 Fine

pstrongLocal government in Austin, Texas are proposing an ordinance to harass homeless folks./strong/p pDIV align="left" TABLE cellpadding="5"TR VALIGN="TOP"TDIMG SRC= "../sites/default/files/arch_img/332/photo_1_supplement.jpg" //td/trTR VALIGN="TOP"TD/td/trTR VALIGN="TOP"TDTR VALIGN="TOP"TD pby HoustonChronicle.com, courtesy of Homeless Peoples Network/p p /ppbAUSTIN/b -- Along the street nicknamed "The Drag," across from The University of Texas, the homeless have mingled with students for years.br / br / /ppBut that could change if the Austin City Council approves a measure thatbr / would ban sitting or lying on sidewalks downtown or along the Drag.br / br / /ppCouncil members are considering the proposed ordinance that would make it abr / Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine.br / br / /ppThe proposed ordinance is modeled on a Seattle ordinance upheld inbr / Washington state court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.br / br / /ppSome council members say they support the plan, as long as it is notbr / enforced before the city's temporary men's shelter and permanent women'sbr / shelter open this summer and fall.br / br / /pp"I think if everything is in place, it's appropriate," said Council Memberbr / Beverly Griffith./p/td/tr/td/tr/table/div/p