To outgoing Mayor Annise Parker, and at least one candidate hoping to succeed her, the innovative ReBuild Houston program is viewed as a signature accomplishment.
To others desperate for every last vote, the program comes with hesitant support, if not outright opposition, mostly due to “poor implementation. Thankfully for them, the issue has received little Press during this election cycle.
But today, ReBuild Houston enters the fray, just hours before we see Election Results. Here’s the story from Katherine Driessen of the Houston Chronicle…
A trial court judge ruled Thursday that the ballot measure Houston voters narrowly approved in 2010 obscured the nature and cost of the drainage fee at the heart of the city’s multi-billion dollar ReBuild Houston program, effectively voiding the election.
Judge Buddie Hahn ordered the city to hold a new election on the drainage fee, though that’s unlikely to happen immediately as appeals get underway. Hahn sided with a ruling issued by the Texas Supreme Court in June, saying the city had failed to make clear the ballot language surrounding the drainage fee, part of the city’s effort to dramatically improve Houston’s roads and drainage during the next two decades.
In a brief court hearing Thursday, Hahn said he had little discretion because the “Supreme Court has just about said as a matter of law” that the election should be voided.
Conservative activists, who deride the fee as a “rain tax,” filed suit against the city in 2010. The city originally prevailed at trial court, but opponents appealed. Now, attorney Andy Taylor is calling on the city to halt collection of the drainage fee altogether.
All along, opponents have claimed that there’s no possible way that voters could understand what they were getting themselves into back in 2010. So from the viewpoint of Conservative lawyers, Council Member Michael Kubosh and Mayoral Candidate Bill King, this ruling should be the “nail in the coffin” for ReBuild. But to be frank, this argument borders on the ridiculous. As fellow blogger Off the Kuff so well reasoned back in June, if you could read the ballot, you knew that a vote for ReNew Houston was a vote for a fee. Quantum Mechanics it ain’t.
However that just about in the judges’ statement proves to be of import. According to the Mayor’s Office, the 2010 election results still apply. Per City of Houston Press Release…
We are disappointed with the court’s ruling and are considering our legal options, including a possible appeal. This case places at risk the voter approved amendment to the City Charter that prohibits the City from using debt financing or spending the drainage fee on anything other than street and drainage improvements. Those two issues have nothing to do with whether the city is able to continue the Rebuild Houston program and the collection of the drainage fee. The ordinance remains valid and in effect.
It may not have garnered constant press attention like the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance or the City’s looming Pension woes, but the fate of ReBuild Houston will prove critical to the future of Texas’ largest (and rapidly growing larger) city. At the end of the day, if Houston can’t repair and improve its infrastructure, the Southeast Texas region, and the whole state will suffer greatly.
If you’d like more information on where 2015 Municipal Candidates stand on ReBuild Houston, check out the TLCQ Questionnaire Response page.
In the Fifth installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Lane Lewis, chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party and candidate for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1.
Please note: Responses are directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but may be considered during the endorsement process.
TL: What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?
LL: Lane Lewis
TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
LL: I am currently the Harris County Democratic Party Chair; Harris County is the nation’s third largest county with nearly 2 million registered voters. I was elected unanimously in a special election in December 2011, was re-elected in May 2012 with over 55% of the vote and won re-election again in 2014.
TL: As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?
LL: I began my community involvement organizing friends and neighbors 25 years ago focusing on public safety and social issues. Time and time again the issues I encountered in communities came back to city services and infrastructure. This motivated me to run for office, so I could help provide the help communities and community organizers need to better their neighborhoods. Just recently after a tragic murder in of a young man in Neartown, I helped organize a formal dialogue between HPD and neighbors. The topic of safety again led back to infrastructure, the community and law enforcement agreeing sidewalks and lighting would be key in deterring crime. It only reinforced for me that; a prosperous, safe, world-class city cannot be built on crumbling streets.
As an At-Large Council Member, I will be able to influence initiatives that affect the entire city and benefit multiple districts. Infrastructure improvements need to be streamlined for the engineers, contractors and constituents.
TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
LL:
1. Improving infrastructure
As an At-Large Council Member, I will be able to influence initiatives that affect the entire city and benefit multiple districts. Infrastructure improvements need to be streamlined for the engineers, contractors and constituents. I am also concerned that infrastructure needs are not adequately addressed in all neighborhoods fairly. City council can work with departments and stakeholders to find better ways to identify and address infrastructure issues, a process which has begun in earnest and I will help the current efforts anyway I can.
2. Growing the tax base with quality businesses paying livable wages
Houston needs a sustainable solution to budget and pension shortfalls. Tax hikes are not a long-term solution and drive away businesses and residents to surrounding municipalities. I will work with District Council Members and business leaders to expand business opportunities that are beneficial to hard working Houstonians. The city government plays a central role in making a city attractive to development and business investment and should pay particular attention to helping minority owned business participate and grow.
3. Relieving transportation and traffic congestion
Working with METRO and public works, city council can find solutions that fit the diverse needs of Houston. Properly executed alternatives like ride sharing, bike paths, new bus routes, and light rail can open our roadways. City council needs to lead on these initiatives.
TL: After decades of deferred maintenance and neglect, Houston’s infrastructure is in a critical state of disrepair. Ask any driver, cyclist or pedestrian, and they can readily tell you that city streets and sidewalks are crumbling… some to the extent that they pose significant danger to those that would traverse them. The Parker Administration has attempted to address the problem by the voter-approved ReBuild Houstonprogram. Knowing that the next Mayor has no choice but to invest in city infrastructure, do you support the continuation of ReBuild Houston? If yes, please explain why. If no, please explain how you would address our copious infrastructure needs differently.
LL: ReBuild Houston is not perfect, but the imperfections are mostly on the political side of its inception and the program itself is a strong step in the right direction. New projects are coming online and helping with Houston’s flood issues. The immediate problem is that we are so far behind that we are vulnerable today and ReBuild’s full impact will not be felt for decades to come. Once ReBuild finishes paying off decades of debt, it will produce about $600 million a year to our infrastructure and the number of projects will increase rapidly.
ReBuild’s pay-as-you go philosophy is a much needed improvement; however, it requires a project to be fully funded before work begins. I would like to explore the possibility of starting projects simultaneously based on a predicted revenue stream prior to being fully funded, but without borrowing money.
TL: At present the city of Houston has one of the strongest forms of “strong-Mayor governance” in the state of Texas, to the point that the Mayor alone decides what business comes before City Council. If elected, would you support an amendment to the City Charter that would allow any coalition of 6 Council Members to place items on the Council Agenda without prior approval from the Mayor? Whether yes or no, please explain your answer.
LL: I would approve such an amendment to provide balance to the horseshoe. I have strong personal and working relationships with most of the Mayoral candidates and am comfortable that I will be able to work effectively with any administration. Even if the power to place business on the agenda was granted to council, the Mayor of Houston would still hold tremendous power and influence over the process of voting and implementing that business. City council would still need a good relationship with the Mayor and the main trump card to counter the Mayor would still be public opinion. I am in favor of empowering council more with the understanding that the key to a productive council will always be the ability to work with the Mayor and fellow council members.
TL: If elected, would you support and seek to continue the current administration’s Complete Streets policy, which establishes that any new or significant re-build of city streets will work to prioritize and incorporate safe access for all road users, including pedestrians, persons with disabilities and cyclists?
LL: A significant change in our transit system must include options for pedestrians and cyclists of all ability levels. Complete Streets along with rail, bike paths, ride sharing, traditional cabs and most importantly the reimagined bus system, must work in concert to make a Houston a multi-mobile city. New development should encourage walkable neighborhoods and the city should provide that foundation.
TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?
LL: My service to the community has given me strong relationships with elected officials and decision makers that can help me get things done. I have strong ties to leaders across the city, county, and state from all walks of life and in all areas of town. As a Houston City Council Member, you cannot accomplish your goals without the help of other council members, the Mayor, and constituents. My valuable relationships will enable me to be an effective council member from day one at City Hall.
My decades of service, the relationships I have nurtured with integrity, and my experience as an elected and appointed servant have prepared me for the job of Houston City Council. Public service is about solving problems and meeting the needs of constituents. That requires being able to pick up the phone on day one and having a positive relationship already established with the person on the other end.
No one else running for Position 1 has the number of or quality of both professional and personal relationships that I have with other elected officials and decision makers in the city or the state, which will allow me to get to work on day one.
TL:When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
LL. I have a large library collection of books, so I read a lot. For the past year or so, most of my reading has been news and policy related rather than simply a good book. I have very little free time, so often by the time I get home around 9pm, I just make myself something to eat and lay in the floor with my dogs while watching a few minutes of TV before going to sleep.
In the Second installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Roland Chavez, candidate for Houston City Council, District H.
Please note: Responses are directly from the candidate, and have been posted ver batim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but may be considered during the endorsement process.
TL: What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?
RC: Roland M. Chavez
TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
RC: No
TL: As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?
RC: Government is important because citizens depend on it to protect their communities, provide core services, ensure public safety, enhance quality of life, maintain our infrastructure, and wisely manage our tax dollars.
TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
RC: To ensure all core services are maintained and funded, and to work with other elected officials, both city and county to provide a safe community where all citizens can work, live, and enjoy this city.
TL: After decades of deferred maintenance and neglect, Houston’s infrastructure is in a critical state of disrepair. Ask any driver, cyclist or pedestrian, and they can readily tell you that city streets and sidewalks are crumbling… some to the extent that they pose significant danger to those that would traverse them. The Parker Administration has attempted to address the problem by the voter-approved ReBuild Houston Knowing that the next Mayor has no choice but to invest in city infrastructure, do you support the continuation of ReBuild Houston? If yes, please explain why. If no, please explain how you would address our copious infrastructure needs differently.
RC: I will support ReBuild Houston if it is here to stay. I have always supported the “worst first” approach to ReBuild Houston, and as a candidate for District H, I will seek for infrastructure support as District H has some of the worse problems within our entire city.
TL: At present the city of Houston has one of the strongest forms of “strong-Mayor governance” in the state of Texas, to the point that the Mayor alone decides what business comes before City Council. If elected, would you support an amendment to the City Charter that would allow any coalition of 6 Council Members to place items on the Council Agenda without prior approval from the Mayor? Whether yes or no, please explain your answer.
RC: YES, I believe if six city council members feel an issue should be publicly debated it should be placed on the agenda.
TL: If elected, would you support and seek to continue the current administration’s Complete Streets policy, which establishes that any new or significant re-build of city streets will work to prioritize and incorporate safe access for all road users, including pedestrians, persons with disabilities and cyclists?
RC: YES
TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?
RC: Having worked for the City of Houston as a Houston Fire Fighter for 34 years, and served as President of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, I feel my experience in city government, knowledge of the city and the neighborhoods in District H, understanding labor/management relations, and working with many leaders throughout the city allows me an advantage on core services, public safety, infrastructure, budgets, and quality of life issues. Additionally, I am from Houston, raised in the District in which I am a candidate, where it provides me a great passion and appreciation for my parents, my community, and the entire city.
TL: When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
RC: Living in the Woodland Heights, I enjoy time venturing out in the local scenes, festivals, sports, and antique shops. I also enjoy all types of outdoor activities, boating, fishing camping, softball, or just relaxing near a BBQ pit.
Now that we’ve officially made it to the hot, yucky part of Houston summer, it’s time to add to the list of indoor activities and hone in on this year’s municipal elections.
As time gets closer to Election Day (being held November 3rd, 2015 for the Houston Municipal elections) it is important that voters have a variety of resources with which to research candidates and make informed decisions when they go to the polls. One of the best ways to obtain that information is to ask the candidates directly. Not only do these questions help voters in their choices, but they also help inform politicians of what their legislative priorities should be. Sometimes they even influence policy directly.
For all of these reasons, I am happy to announce the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire (TLCQ). Questions have already been sent out to several candidates, with a goal of covering even more in the near future. As responses are received, they will be published on Texas Leftist.
Here’s the 2015 Questionnaire, in format for the Municipal races for Mayor and City Council. The Questionnaire will be amended for City Controller, HCC and HISD races…
1. What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?
2. Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
3. As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?
4. If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
5. After decades of deferred maintenance and neglect, Houston’s infrastructure is in a critical state of disrepair. Ask any driver, cyclist or pedestrian, and they can readily tell you that city streets and sidewalks are crumbling… some to the extent that they pose significant danger to those that would traverse them. The Parker Administration has attempted to address the problem by the voter-approved ReBuild Houston program. Knowing that the next Mayor has no choice but to invest in city infrastructure, do you support the continuation of ReBuild Houston? If yes, please explain why. If no, please explain how you would address our copious infrastructure needs differently.
6. At present, the city of Houston has one of the strongest forms of “strong-Mayor governance” in the state of Texas, to the point that the Mayor alone decides what business comes before City Council. If elected, would you support an amendment to the City Charter that would allow any coalition of 6 Council Members to place items on the Council Agenda without prior approval from the Mayor? Whether yes or no, please explain your answer.
7. If elected, would you support and seek to continue the current administration’s Complete Streets policy, which establishes that any new or significant re-build of city streets will work to prioritize and incorporate safe access for all road users, including pedestrians, persons with disabilities and cyclists?
8. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
9. When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
With a plethora of strong candidates across several races, voter information is more important than ever for 2015. Check here for the responses as they come in, and for endorsements closer to election time.
Along with Texas Leftist, be sure to check out the Off the Kuff 2015 elections page, as Kuff has already begun his interview series.
Ok Houston voters, y’all know what to do. It’s your municipal government, so…
With three successful citywide elections under his belt and a prominent position on Houston City Council, Stephen Costello is already a major force in Texas politics. But today the At-Large Council Member has taken a step towards even greater prominence, formally announcing his candidacy for Mayor of Houston.
Small businessman, engineer and Houston City Council Member Steve Costello will formally launch his campaign for mayor today.
[…]
“I’m running for mayor because Houston is the greatest city in America, but I recognize we have real problems that need to be fixed. We simply can, and must, do better,” said Costello. “You can’t drive down our pot-hole ridden streets, waste hours stuck in traffic, or examine the city’s financial health without thinking ‘we can do better.’ I may not be the flashiest candidate in the race, but as an engineer and experienced City Council Member, I am the most qualified to look at our problems and roll up my sleeves to find logical solutions. That’s exactly how I’ll lead as Houston’s next mayor.”
The field of candidates is already quite plentiful, with State Representative Sylvester Turner, former Congressman Chris Bell, latest runner-up Ben Hall and former Kemah Mayor Bill King already declared while Sheriff Adrian Garcia and Council Member Oliver Pennington are likely to also assumed to enter the race.
Touting his experience as a Civil Engineer and major political accomplishments like the Rebuild Houston initiative, Costello promised to put infrastructure improvement as a central focus of his campaign.
In a recent interview with Craig Cohen on Houston Matters, Costello shared many of his viewpoints on the city’s greatest transportation and infrastructural challenges. While he supports Rebuild Houston, the program’s deployment may be substantially different. He also shares plans for Complete Streets, and revealed why he “doesn’t ride a bike within the city”…
Much of Costello’s work on Council has been led by the current Mayor, Annise Parker. Though he has worked closely with Parker and has often been a key player on important legislation, the Council Member is also quick to show where he and Parker do not see eye to eye on every issue.
On the city’s recently announced détente with the firefighter’s pension… a 3-yr. deal which would allow both parties to change their contribution levels in the short term, but leave the city owing more down the road, Costello was forthright, calling the plan “a bad bad deal.“ Instead he pledges to work for greater local control from the state legislature. Again from the campaign press release…
“As the state’s largest city and the one with the most pressing pension problem, Houstonians should have the authority to craft our own solution rather than leave our fate in the hands of politicians in Austin.”
Way back in 2009, Costello won his first election to Council with a campaign focused not on politics, but on fixing the city’s issues. In his political life, Costello has offered much of that same focus. Though he never seems to shy away from a disagreement, Costello has managed to avoid much of the sensationalism that other Council Members seem to catalyze.
With a solid record built on seeking solutions, Stephen Costello is sure to be a front-runner in the race for Mayor. This November, we’ll see who crosses the tape first.
As an engineer, I look at problems and work to find a solution. And that's exactly what I'll do as your next mayor. #houmayor#HouNews
Houston is a city that is growing and changing rapidly. That change obviously refers to the physical form of the city with new homes and businesses being built in every direction. But those changes are more than material. Thanks to an influx of new residents, increased national profile and more ways than ever to inform city government of infrastructure concerns, the expectations of Houstonians have also risen. Areas that used to be under-represented are now becoming increasingly active. Citizens are taking a look at the city, and no longer being silent about its pothole-ridden streets or sub-par drainage. All of those new factors seemed to be on display at this week’s City Council meeting. Here’s the story from Mike Morris and Katherine Driessen of the Houston Chronicle…
Expressing impatience with the pace of street repairs under the ReBuild Houston program, City Council voted this week to siphon off some of the drainage-fee supported funds to speed up projects and help resolve smaller neighborhood problems sought by their constituents.
In an amendment to the city’s five-year $7.8 billion capital improvements program, the council voted to draw down $31 million from ReBuild Houston, prompting a warning from Mayor Annise Parker and Department of Public Works and Engineering officials, who said the move could drive the program’s cash flow into the red within two years and force the delay of other projects.
“Council members today would get a lot of short-term relief, but council members in a couple years may see delays,” Parker said.
Councilman Jerry Davis and other council members pushed back, saying constituent concerns have forced them to look for new funds.
“I respect the voices of the engineers and I respect the voices of Public Works,” Davis said. “But again, this is why we’re voted in to be here to make these decisions based upon the wants and needs of the people.”
This is a tough spot for all sides, and just a further admission of how huge Houston’s need for repairs is when contrasted with how little money is available (or how little political will there is to institute additional revenue streams like tax increases). These are issues that existed long before this council. It’s not a problem they created, but they are trying desperately to be the ones who can save the day.
The pressure to act weighs particularly heavy on district Council Members, as they are the ones that handle more concerns related to their home and neighborhood, while At-Large members have a bit more freedom and flexibility to chase their desired cause. This was on display at the Wednesday meeting. Though Council Member Stephen Costello co-sponsored an amendment to free up Rebuild Houston funds for city projects, he and CM Christie (also At-Large) later voted against a separate amendment to allocate money specifically to Council districts.
The other reason Costello was against this the latter was obvious… If elected as the next Mayor, he’d be the one that has to deal with these shortfalls with a future Council, just when the Rebuild Houston should be picking up steam and yielding more tangible results. The discussions this week at council are far from over, and will likely be cornerstones of the 2015 municipal elections.
