Tag Archives: Houston Mayor’s race

TLCQ 2015: Adrian Garcia

In the Sixteenth installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire we hear from Hon. Adrian Garcia former Harris County Sheriff and candidate for Mayor of Houston.

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?

AG:  Adrian Garcia

 

TL:  Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?

AG:  Houston City Council; Harris County Sheriff

 

TL:  As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?

AG:  I am living proof of the promise of Houston, where if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get anywhere you are bold enough to dream. My career has taught me the importance of listening to the needs of all communities and how we can make our City government work efficiently to serve Houstonians with a great quality of life today, while building our infrastructure for tomorrow. Government is important to ensure that all Houstonians have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. This city has been very good to me, and I want to make sure it remains as the city of opportunity to the next generation of Houstonians. I am uniquely qualified and passionate to be the next great mayor of this great city.

 

TL:  If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.

AG:  Our most significant challenge is our overall city finances. We have been operating a structurally unbalanced system for too long. The biggest driver of this issue is our unpaid pension obligations. While I strongly believe that we must keep our promises to current retirees and employees so that they know their retirement is secure, I believe we need to take a holistic look at all of the city finances, including pensions, to find an efficient Houston solution going forward. Some people approach the pensions as three silos outside of the city’s finances, but I feel that such an approach misses the opportunity to redefine how our pension obligations play a role in our overall city finances. Local control, reduction of the COLA adjustment, a realistic rate of return, review of the DROP and balancing representation on the pension boards will all be explored in a plan for reform.

My whole career has been committed to public safety, and, as an HPOPS retiree, I have personal skin in the game when it comes to any pension negotiations. I am committed to bringing all parties to the table to craft a local solution that allows for the City to keep its promises to public employees while still maintaining critical infrastructure and the hiring of the public safety personnel we need to keep Houston safe.

 

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 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.   

AG:  I believe the ReBuild Houston program is an important part of our city’s approach to addressing our street and drainage infrastructure issues. It is a good program that has been poorly managed. I believe there is unnecessary confusion among stakeholders and the public regarding the program. If elected, I would implement a number of reforms including, but not limited to:

● More transparency in how the money is being used

● More frequent updates on the financials of the program

● Allow for more flexibility in our CIP/needs-based evaluation process for projects

● Incorporate regional detention into the program if possible

● Public meetings and access for the project decision meetings process so staff can justify the “worst first” approach findings that the ordinance requires.

Additionally, I believe there are efficiencies to be gained and savings to be had in a comprehensive review of the Public Works & Engineering (PWE) department. Savings could then be reprogrammed into more projects that are sorely needed across the 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.

AG:  I am someone who strongly believes in a participatory system. The City of Houston and its departments provide needed services for our residents, and the residents should therefore have a voice. If there is a more effective and efficient way to make this happen than the current structure than I will be happy to consider it. I am open to hearing and working on suggestions for how we can make processes work better, so that the voices of our all residents can be heard in City Council.

 

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?

AG:  I am strong supporter of “Complete Streets” policy. As we make continued investments in multi-modal transportation, we must also effectively market and promote the use of those investments we have already made. I am confident that once an individual uses a safe and convenient alternative means of transportation, they will use it again. For those that already use alternative forms of transportation, we must ensure that we are able to keep them safe by building an infrastructure that embraces vision zero and by educating the public about operating along “complete streets,” parks and trails.

 

TL:  What makes you the best candidate for this office?

AG:  As the only native-born American in my family, and as a lifelong Houstonian, I am asking for the privilege of becoming the mayor of my great hometown. This city has been very good to me, and I want to make sure it remains as the city of opportunity to the next generation of Houstonians. I believe I am uniquely qualified to lead the City of Houston because I’m the only candidate in this race with executive experience. I lead, managed, and reformed a major organization, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, into savings of over $200 million dollars while keeping the streets of America’s 3rd -largest county safe. Throughout my entire tenure at the HCSO, I promoted diversity in hiring and a professional environment of mutual respect and trust, so that the Sheriff’s Department could best protect all residents in the most diverse and culturally rich county in America.

My nearly 35 years in public service, starting as a patrol officer with the Houston Police Department, taught me a great deal about our government. From the front seat of a patrol car, you get a first-hand look at where our City is serving its residents and where it is failing to provide the services it should. My efforts to decrease gang involvement, a major national issue at that time, prompted Mayor Bob Lanier to appoint me to the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office in 1994, and within 5 years I was promoted to be the director of the program. Our efforts were tremendously successful in decreasing the gang violence plaguing Houston neighborhoods through employing creative community policing initiatives, which were centered on building trusting relationships between the patrolling officers and the community.

I then took the skills that I learned as a police officer and directed them towards addressing the broader needs of our community by being elected to a seat on the Houston City Council, where I served three terms. Serving on the Council as Bill White’s Mayor Pro tem, I helped develop and pass initiatives expanding senior homestead exemptions and making homeownership more affordable because experience had taught me that neighborhoods are stronger when people can own their own homes. I had also learned from my experience as an officer that more crime could be prevented with a greater focus on timely data collection and analysis. This led me to work on creating HPD’s Real Time Crime Center, which produced immediate results in lowering crime rates. While I was an ardent supporter of METRO lightrail expansion as a councilmember, I listened carefully to the concerns of many residents about the new rail lines. Hearing concerns about the rail construction impact on longtime area businesses, I created the city’s Construction Mitigation Program to extend low interest loans to existing micro businesses who needed a little help to get through the disruptive construction period of a major infrastructure project. Throughout my tenure on City Council, I worked tirelessly and collaboratively to tackle major issues like crime prevention while also supporting the kinds of smart infrastructure and economic development initiatives that helped make Houston even greater.

Voters then awarded me the honor of leading a Sheriff’s Office of almost 5,000 personnel and a budget of roughly $500 million, and in dire need of new leadership and reform. When I arrived on my first day, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was $60 million over- budget, and the county jail so overcrowded that taxpayers were paying over $10 million annually to house prisoners in Louisiana. By demonstrating leadership and establishing reforms aimed at progressive community policing, I was able to keep a lid on crime while delivering four straight fiscal years under-budget. I was also able to dramatically lower our jail population and stop sending prisoners out of state by developing programs and partnerships to make sure that our mentally-ill Houstonians began receiving the treatment they needed.

I am living proof of the promise of Houston, where if you work hard and play by the rules, you can get anywhere you are bold enough to dream. My career has taught me the importance of listening to the needs of all communities and how we can make our City government work efficiently to serve Houstonians with a great quality of life today, while building our infrastructure for tomorrow.

 

TL:  When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?

AG:  I really enjoy being in the community and get immense satisfaction from volunteering. When I’m not doing that you’ll find me with my family and likely running or biking through our beautiful parks and bayous.

 

Thanks to Sheriff Garcia for the responses.

Election Day 2015 is Tuesday November 3rd, and Early Voting runs from October 19th through October 30th.  Check out this year’s Harris County Early Voting information for locations and times.

 

Adrian Garcia

TLCQ 2015: Sylvester Turner

In the Ninth installment of the 2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire we hear from Hon. Sylvester Turner, current State Representative for the 139th House District of the Texas State Legislature.  He is running for Mayor of Houston.

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?

ST:  Sylvester Turner

 

TL:  Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?

ST:  Yes. Since 1988, I have represented HD 139 in the Texas House of Representatives. I have just completed my 26th year in the legislature.

 

TL:  As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?

ST:  I believe government is the means through which we all work together to make Houston the world-class city we know it can be.  I believe that everyone deserves the same opportunities to advance and succeed that I was so lucky to receive growing up.  I believe that we each have a responsibility to our neighbors, not just to ourselves.  I believe that Houston’s diversity is one of its greatest assets and that all voices must be represented at the decision-making table.  I believe government is important because, ultimately, government is us.

 

TL:  If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.

ST:  There is a top tier of challenges that our next mayor will need to address, including the need for safer neighborhoods, improved roads and infrastructure, stronger support for our public schools and careful management of our budget. Those are all top priorities for me.

I would add to that list a big challenge that my opponents are not addressing: ensuring that Houston’s progress and promise are truly benefitting all of our communities, not just a select few.  We are a world-class city with the resources and wherewithal to meet the fundamental needs of all of our families and to provide real opportunity in every community. But right now, Houston’s economy is working a lot better for some of our communities than for others. In fact, economic inequality has sharply increased here over the past 30 years and too many Houstonians are shut out of our prosperity.  Our economy is strongest when our middle class is thriving and when all our residents have access to good-paying jobs. Making the long-term strategic decisions that will expand opportunity throughout the city is the key responsibility of our next mayor.

 

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 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.  

ST:  Houston’s infrastructure must keep pace with our growth and development – that is essential.  ReBuild Houston was designed to create the strong infrastructure that Houston needs and deserves, which will lead to increased property values and facilitate our continued growth.  The strength of the ReBuild Houston model is that the fund will increase as old bonds are retired and the funds used for debt service are captured. In light of the recent ruling on ReBuild Houston by the Texas Supreme Court, the prospects for a secure funding source for infrastructure are in question. As we work to strengthen the ReBuild program, or replace it if necessary, bringing all stakeholders to the table will be essential.  I will fight to maintain a reliable and equitable revenue source for drainage and streets.  The people of Houston lose if we do not have a reliable funding source for infrastructure.

 

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.

ST:  I do believe that Council Members should have input with respect to which issues come before the Council.  However, Houston’s strong mayor model exists for a reason.  The strong mayor form of government means that the buck stops at the mayor’s desk and that the mayor is uniquely responsible for developing a clear vision for the city and for driving the city forward toward that goal.  If elected, I look forward to working with the City Council to foster collaboration among communities with differing interests from all across the city and to work together for the betterment of Houston.

 

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?

ST:  Yes.  The Complete Streets concept is an important shift for the city in terms of establishing a new standard for transportation development. The main obstacle to the effective implementation of Complete Streets is funding. Public-private partnerships are solutions for a few neighborhoods but relying exclusively on the market leaves other Houston communities behind. We need to bring all stakeholders to the table, including investors and residents, to develop an equitable solution for funding these improvements throughout the city.

 

TL:  What makes you the best candidate for this office?

ST:  I am running for mayor to make sure that today’s young people have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, just like I did.  That starts with providing a city that is well run, clean and safe, with an infrastructure that supports a good quality of life – and that treats everyone who lives here equally and with dignity and respect.

I have represented Houston in the Texas House of Representatives since 1988 and am the only candidate with 26 years of expertise with respect to the details of government. I have worked with Mayor Annise Parker and others before her to advance the City of Houston’s priorities in the Legislature. Over the years as a legislator, I have fought to bring home hundreds of millions of dollars for the benefit of Houston.  I am also the only candidate with a 26-year history of working with different voices and interests for the good of the people of Houston.   I have a proven ability to work with leaders from every community to achieve results.  For example, the relationships that I have built with Democrats and Republicans at the state level and with liberal and conservative faith leaders locally have been instrumental in my ability to win and protect gains with respect to civil rights and equality. None of my opponents has a similar record of results for our community.

 

TL:  When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?

ST:  I like to visit Sylvester Turner Park in my district.  Not because City Council graciously named it after me but because it is a jewel in the middle of Acres Homes that any community would be proud to have.  It used to be West Little York Park and it was 29 acres of nothing but weeds.  The city refused to improve it but I was told they would maintain the park if I could make improvements.  I raised the money through state grants and from private donors and created a lovely park with three baseball fields, the first public fields in Acres Homes, playground equipment and a jogging trail.  I then worked with Major League Baseball and the Houston Astros to bring an Urban Youth Academy to the park, the second in the country.  The Astros and MLB built another field and a training facility.  Over two thousand boys and girls come to the Academy every year from all over the city to learn baseball and softball.  Each year I hold Family Day at the park and more than 15-thousand residents come to celebrate this great facility and to share in free food, music, baseball and games.  The Acres Homes community is proud of this park and so am I.

 

Thanks to Mr. Turner for the responses.

Election Day 2015 is Tuesday November 3rd, and Early Voting runs from October 19th through October 30th.  Check out this year’s Harris County Early Voting information for locations and times.

ST1

2015 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire

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…

come and take it houston3

 

#KnowBeforeYouVote!!

Texoblogosphere: Week of February 2nd

The Texas Progressive Alliance believes that our government should be open and available to all as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff writes about opposition to the Plano Equal Rights Ordinance from transgender activists, who say it excludes their community.

Libby Shaw writing for Texas Kaos and contributing to Daily Kos sounds the alarm bell on conservative lawmakers. When one touts one’s conservative credentials voters should never assume this means one is necessarily fiscally responsible, ethical or honest. Conservative Texas: Cronies, Crooks, No-Bid Contracts, No Oversight, Junk Science. But….

From WCNews at Eye on Williamson. Dan Patrick and the GOP are going to cut taxes, no matter what and Need Has Nothing To Do With It.

Bob Stein at Rice University’s Baker Institute handicapped the Houston mayor’s race much the same as PDiddie at Brains and Eggs did… two weeks ago.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is appalled at the racism coming from Texas Republican Representatives to the US House and the Texas Legislature.

Politicians love to talk about the economic skills gap– where there are a lot of job opportunities out there, but not enough skilled workers to fill them. But thankfully as Texas Leftist learned, some Houston politicians are moving beyond the talk and working to actually address the issue. Plus, some big news for Texas musicians as we finally learn the fate of the Texas Music Office under Governor Abbott.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

The TSTA Blog reminds us that “school choice” is not a choice for many families in Texas.

The Rivard Report predicts that driverless cars will not solve all of our traffic problems.

Texas Clean Air Matters urges the Legislature to restore clean air funding.

Keep Austin Wonky maps the decline of the capitol city’s bus service.

Minding Houston explains 1115 waivers.

Mark Phariss implores the citizens of Plano not to reject its equal rights ordinance. Nell Gaither, on the other hand, argues that it excludes the transgender community.

Newsdesk explains how open carry advocates shot themselves in the foot.

Scott Braddock highlights another controversy connected to Michael Quinn Sullivan.

Unfair Park reports that the city of Fort Worth has extended spousal benefits to same-sex spouses.

 

(Photo of the old Fort Bend County Courthouse in Richmond, Texas.) 

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