TCE Blog
Brittani Flowers, Gulf Coast Program Director

Houston’s CEER and HOME coalitions issued a joint questionnaire to all Mayoral candidates and published all responses. (See original response documents here.) CEER also held a Mayoral forum on environmental justice and published several videos of the event here, here and here.

Environmental Equity and Resiliency:

Environmental Equity addresses the built and natural environment. It is not limited to parkland, or the preservation of natural resources like bayous or prairies, but whether a community has access to the same safe drinking water, the same walkability to schools, the same clean air, and the same open or natural park spaces as other communities. As a city, Houston has a long history of segregation by race and class, along with numerous superfund sites, on-going pollution issues with its own infrastructure, and a lack of resources to adequately protect resources like air, water, and land.

1. What is your top environmental concern for the City and as mayor, what can your office do to address it? (Air pollution, water pollution, trash, flooding, etc.)

Candidate Baker:
Flooding: Perform more preventative maintenance and repairs to existing storm sewer lines and drainage ditches. Increase green infrastructure for the purpose of absorbing and filtering excess flood water as well as create more detention ponds. Use monies collected for drainage fees appropriately.

Candidate Broze:
I am concerned about the lack of action on local environmental disasters related to the refineries across Houston. Despite refinery fires becoming a regular feature of our city the current leadership is not addressing the concern. As part of my Hemp Houston plan I am calling for incentivizing local oil and gas companies to invest in hemp for fuel research (as well as other alt fuel sources). I am also calling for ending contracts with companies responsible for environmental degradation.

Candidate Houijami:
My most important step is to inform and educate All Houstonians about the climate change and How to reduce Greenhouse Gases to combat not just air pollution but the Pollution in General. By using energy more wisely —-> Helps reduce the demand for fossil fuels —> Reduces global warming. I will create Grants and Financial Rewards for Businesses and General Public:
– Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
– Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning.
– Replace Your Light Bulbs.
– Drive Less and Drive Smart.
– Buy Energy-Efficient Products.
– Use Less Hot Water.
– Use the “Off” Switch on Electricity Usage.
– Plant a Tree.
– Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company.
– Encourage Others to Conserve.

Candidate King:
Flooding is Houston’s #1 environmental concern. The current mayor has said we are no better prepared for the next flood than we were when Harvey hit. That is inexcusable. My seven-point flood plan provides workable solutions. It begins with stopping the diversion of drainage fees to non-drainage projects.

Mayor Turner:
There are many. Harvey recovery and flood mitigation are pressing. We are working hard given the lack of funding, though after two years, federal funds are finally coming online. In the long term, the related issue of climate change is paramount. I am excited about our upcoming Climate Action Plan.

2. What tools would you utilize as a mayor to ensure environmental cleanup of degraded land sites as well as reverse the documented pattern of siting landfills, recycling centers, and industrial facilities in low-income and minority neighborhoods?

Candidate Baker:
My thoughts are similar to point 6 in your action plan which is to take a regional approach. Increase recycling opportunities, maximize diversion of harmful materials to minimize effects on communities. Clean them up. Build away from these communities. Get help from private sector.

Candidate Broze:
I would use my voice and my office to lobby for environmental issues. Although any Mayor can come in and create new bureaucracy and ordinances, I am interested in motivating the people of Houston into taking an active role in protecting our communities from being targeted for environmental racism. Landfills, recycling centers and industrial centers should not be hoisted upon low income communities of color.

Candidate Houijami:
The most important steps I will take to improve recycling waste in Houston:
1- Educate the Community
2- Add Recycling Bins in Public Spaces
3- Engage New Homeowners & Businesses
4- Implement Volume-based Waste Disposal
5- More Focus on Efficiency Collection Techniques
6- Elected Officials must be more engaged to Set goals and report on recycling achievements and benefits residents and businesses

Candidate King:
Using the mayor’s bully pulpit and access to available permitting and regulatory remedies, I will work to stop that type of unequal treatment.

Mayor Turner:
Enforcement of local health and safety laws is key, as well as documenting and publicizing the dangers to help local communities organize. At the city our powers are severely and unfairly constrained by hostile federal and state governments and now local and statewide revenue caps.

3. As mayor, what are the first three steps you will take to implement the proposed Houston Climate Action Plan?

Candidate Baker:
At this point all that’s left is to review it with all stakeholders, approve it, be transparent to public as we go-live.

Candidate Broze:
Again, I am interested to see how any plans for addressing environmental concerns can be implemented with as much community involvement as possible. I would be interested in hosting open climate townhalls around Houston to hear the concerns of the people and see how we can address the environment in a way that respects all community members – rich and poor alike.

Candidate Houijami:
– Educate the Community
– More Focus on Efficiency Collection Techniques
– More engaged to Set goals and report on recycling achievements and benefits residents and businesses

Candidate King:
1. Increase the city’s fleet of electric vehicles
2. Increase tree planting
3. Increase permanent green space and detention around flood prone areas

Mayor Turner:
Adopting the plan is a huge first step for Houston, which remains the world’s oil and gas capital.  Transitioning to electric vehicles – We lost much of our municipal electric fleet to Harvey. Reducing vehicle miles traveled – pass the METRO Proposition this November. Get started quickly on  optimization strategies.

4. Do you think it appropriate to increase the City’s budget line item for environmental enforcement? Do you think that enforcement should be housed in the legal department or in public health?

Candidate Baker:
Yes. Health with the support of law enforcement; especially in lieu of so many recent accidents and the need to follow up on corrective action requirements.

Candidate Broze:
I think concrete environmental plans and agendas must be discussed with public input before increasing any amount of funding. I think enforcement should be in public health.

Candidate Houijami:
I will make funds available to hire and train environmental enforcement officers. The job of these environmental enforcement officers is to educate the citizens of their community about illegal dumping, as well as to catch and prosecute those people that are illegally dumping solid waste. I think it shoul be housed in Public Health & Human Services.

Candidate King:
While I believe we need stronger environmental enforcement, I will be utilizing zero-based budgeting and requiring justification for every expense. Until that process is complete, I am not willing to assign an incremental increase to any line item. The legal and health departments need to coordinate and collaborate on enforcement.

Mayor Turner:
We absolutely need more funding for environmental enforcement. But I won’t make promises I cannot keep, given that our city is operating under its onerous voter-imposed revenue cap and now faces an additional state revenue cap. I am open to a discussion about the best department to manage this.

5. Within CEER’s 8-point plan, which priority is most meaningful to you and why?

Candidate Baker:
Embrace Resiliency. Obviously we will continue to flood and grow in population. Being proactive will help us prevent a lot of future damage. Ensuring that future public investments reflects the array of risks we face is key and also important for the city we leave for generations to come.

Candidate Broze:
I am most interested in the points made around air, land and water. Americans are consistently exposed to chemicals, pesticides, and other contaminants through our water, air, and the soil. These are critical areas to begin addressing how to limit these exposures.

Candidate Houijami:
Affordable housing. The fundamental cause of homelessness is the widening housing affordability gap. My approach to reducing homelessness is to prevent it + to ensure that formerly homeless families and individuals can maintain housing stability.

My political philosophy’s main focus is “Building Strong families–> leads to Strong Communities–> leads to Strong City–> leads to Strong State and that leads to Strong Nation” regardless of age, gender, religion, no religion, sexual orientation, economic status, ethnic background or race, Just Houstonians and Americans.

–> My 1st key of my plan of action for affordable housing for the majority of Houston: “Creation of the mortgage payment assistant program (MPAP)” for middle-class and low income working Houstonians. It will pay up to %45 of the total mortgage monthly payments, it will stabilize the financial situation of more than 100,000 Houstonians families and give them a fair share, an opportunity to stand against gentrification & Inequality. I will bring the developers, financial institutions and the City of Houston to create affordable condos, strong bricks for under $35000, and homes < $100K. Many countries they did it, example of Morocco.

Candidate King:
#4 speaks to me most immediately because we have to do something about flooding, or it will damage our ability to continue to attract new businesses and residents.

Mayor Turner:
Many of the plan’s priorities are meaningful to me. As mayor, I would have to say embracing resiliency is the most foundational, because many of the other priorities cannot be realized in its absence.

Flooding and Transportation Infrastructure:

We know that Houston will never stop flooding. We also know that federal funding for flood mitigation is often required to be spent in the areas that have the highest property values, creating a reverse incentive to spend additional capital dollars in areas that have already received investment in the past. The two watersheds which, according to the SSPEED center, had the most residential flooding were Greens watershed and Brays watershed and there are no United States Army Corps of Engineers projects slated for those watersheds. Continuing development will likely create additional flooding problems in those watersheds.

1. How do you propose to protect and expand the riparian corridors and the existing natural flood control ability of the land within City limits?

Candidate Baker:
Continue to work with the Riparian Corridor Protection Initiative. Purchase adjacent land and use existing land to improve essential riparian vegetation and the quality of water flow is key to many Houston waterways. Education and community partnership is key to its success as well.

Candidate Broze:
My Hemp Houston plan calls for planting native plants, as well as Hemp in and around water ways to help reduce flooding and erosion. We need to discourage so much building – residential and commercial – and preserve as many green spaces as possible.

Candidate Houijami:
We have 3 types of flooding:
1- Storm surge flooding comes with hurricanes. it’s very predictable —> The National Hurricane Center publishes maps of the Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH).

2- River flooding is what causes our bayous to overflow —> determined by the upstream flow, and partly determined by the amount of rain falling in and near the city.

3- Sheet flow —> Sheet flow is what causes street flooding. It is running into the bayous is what leads to river flooding.

In my plan of Action:
1- Improving the storm drainage system’s capability to handle sheet flow and reducing the amount and speed in which water is added into the system.

2- My most important step is to inform and educate All Houstonians about the climate change and How to reduce Greenhouse Gases to combat not just air pollution but the Pollution in General who play a big role in our flooding problems. By using energy more wisely —-> Helps reduce the demand for fossil fuels —> Reduces global warming.

3- I will create Grants and Financial Rewards for Businesses and General Public:
– Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
– Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning.
– Replace Your Light Bulbs.
– Drive Less and Drive Smart.
– Buy Energy-Efficient Products.
– Use Less Hot Water.
– Use the “Off” Switch on Electricity Usage.
– Plant a Tree.
– Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company.
– Encourage Others to Conserve.

4- We must also invest on better green infrastructure to help reduce flooding in our city. With natural surfaces both absorbs more rainfall, and slows the speed in which water flows into the storm drainage system, instead of concrete.

5- There are major capacity issues with regard to the Barker’s and Addick’s reservoirs and there are issues with the strength of the levees. I want use new technologies to build more levees high capacity and stronger.

Candidate King:
I want to use more of the Harvey housing dollars to buy out flood prone structures and permanently dedicate them as green space and detention. I want to do the same with drainage fee monies.

Mayor Turner:
We are implementing new standards for development in floodplains and expanding the regulated area from the 100-year floodplain to the 50-year floodplain. Our out-of-date floodplain maps are in the process of being updated. In many cases, bridges that have impeded the natural flow of water are being upgraded.

2. What are some of the tools you believe the mayor of Houston could use to address flooding in the Greens and Brays watershed outside of simply coordinating with Harris County Flood Control District? In other words, what will you do with the City budget to address these on-going watershed issues within city limits?

Candidate Baker:
I review whats allotted to the Public Works Department already and be sure to prioritize this matter and add more funding as needed. This is a matter of high priority, it is not a decision to be made by the Public Works Director alone.

Candidate Broze:
Again, we need more green space in Houston, less building, and better management of the funds that are available.

Candidate Houijami:
– I will create Grants and Financial Rewards for Businesses and General Public:
– Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
– Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning.
– Replace Your Light Bulbs.
– Drive Less and Drive Smart.
– Buy Energy-Efficient Products.
– Use Less Hot Water.
– Use the “Off” Switch on Electricity Usage.
– Plant a Tree.
– Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company.
– Encourage Others to Conserve.
– We must also invest on better green infrastructure to help reduce flooding in our city. with natural surfaces both absorbs more rainfall, and slows the speed in which water flows into the storm drainage system, instead of concrete.
– There are major capacity issues with regard to the Barker’s and Addick’s reservoirs and there are issues with the strength of the levees. I want Use new technologies to build more levees high capacity and stronger.

Candidate King:
I will stop the diversion of drainage fees to non-drainage projects. In addition, we will prioritize improving conveyance and detention, ramp up purchases of vacant land for green space, increase funding for buyouts and build higher while being smart about it. Read more about my flood plan at billkingblog.com.

Mayor Turner:
To the extent possible, we are removing barriers to progress. For example, the city has taken
out a $43 million loan from the Texas Water Development Board, which it will advance to the
Harris County Flood Control District for widening Brays Bayou and replacing bridges.

3. How will you ensure that the City’s Resiliency and Climate Actions plans are fully incorporated into transportation planning for projects like the I45 expansion, the Vision Zero Initiative, and METRONext?

Candidate Baker:
This project is huge with many moving parts and are receiving mixed, mostly concerned, confused and negative, public reaction. I would take a step back and review closely how these projects will impact both plans. Then make he necessary adjustments as needed.

Candidate Broze:
I don’t support the 1-45 expansion and I don’t support Metro’s plans. I support the stated goals of Vision Zero – reducing deaths – however, I would like to revisit the plan as a whole and see what steps might not be necessary and what other steps may be needed.

Candidate Houijami:
Many factors contribute to safe mobility –> including roadway design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies. It is time for Houston –> to sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries. Those components are very important in a vision zero action plan:

–> Prioritize safety in the Capital Improvement Plan + Safety awareness campaign.
Street Design Changes
Safety awareness campaign
Publish crash and safety data regularly
Enhance street lighting
Prioritize safety in the Capital Improvement Plan
Enhance training for Houston police officers
Bikeway mileage goals, identify the high injury network

Other:
1) Political Commitment
2) Multi-Disciplinary Leadership
3) Action Plan
4) Equity
5) Cooperation and Collaboration
6) Systems-Based Approach
7) Data-Driven
8) Community Engagement data-Driven
9) Transparency

Candidate King:
I sat on the state transportation policy council for ten years. The city has limited control over their actions, but I am uniquely qualified to advocate for the best plans and will do so as mayor. I will control METRO board appointees and will ensure they represent the city’s needs.

Mayor Turner:
With very limited tools to control land use, it takes leadership: working with Democrats and
Republicans at all levels of government and engaging stakeholders to create public pressure.
We are moving as funds are available. One example: Our Safe Streets initiative that is
identifying and repairing Houston’s most dangerous intersections.

Affordable Housing:

There are many options to expand affordable housing: developer incentives that require that a proportion of units are affordable, better leveraging of federal housing funds to get more units per dollar in partnership with others, use of state and local bond and development incentives (e.g., 380 agreements), Limited Equity Corporations, or land banking to name a few.

1. In your own words, describe the role the City plays in affordable housing specifically for families earning below average median income, and how you as mayor of the third largest city in the nation would engage in that role?

Candidate Baker:
The City’s Department of Housing and Community Development helps citizens navigate through different programs to obtain affordable housing, offer down-payment assistance, education, etc. As Mayor, I would continue these programs also evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department to make improvements with our customer service and processing times.

Candidate Broze:
I do not think this is an area the city government should be involved in. I believe the answer is better education on entrepreneurship opportunities, vocational training, etc. The city needs to stop working with developers who have no interest in maintaining the traditions of many of Houston’s historic neighborhoods.

Candidate Houijami:
–> My 1st key of my plan of action for affordable housing for the majority of Houston: “Creation of the mortgage payment assistant program (MPAP)” for middle-class and low income working Houstonians. It will pay up to %45 of the total mortgage monthly payments, it will stabilize the financial situation of more than 100,000 Houstonians families and give them a fair share, an opportunity to stand against gentrification & inequality. I will bring the developers, Financial institutions and the City of Houston to create Affordable condos, strong bricks for under $35000, and Homes < $100K. Many countries they did it, example of Morocco.

Candidate King:
Single-family residential homes are the basic building blocks of any community and our affordable housing efforts should emphasize access to multi-family and SFRs. I have long advocated that the city’s substantial inventory of abandoned properties be invested in a
homestead program to provide equity for families to acquire homes.

Mayor Turner:
We are prioritizing the use of Harvey Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to support the expanded availability of affordable housing in Houston for low- and moderate-income Houstonians. Apart from Harvey, our Complete Communities program includes affordable housing construction coupled with actions to discourage gentrification.

2. Understanding Hurricane Harvey funds have already been allocated, and many Houstonians are still not properly housed, what is your plan for leveraging other funding sources and economic incentives (i.e. 380 agreements, tax abatements, TIRZ, etc.) to increase quality affordable housing stock throughout the City?

Candidate Baker:
The Harvey funding project has been a nightmare. When electing I would double down on getting the funds in the hands of the citizens; many who have been waiting a long time. This would be a great opportunity to use TIRZ more effectively namely in impoverished areas that have been overlooked.

Candidate Broze:
I do not believe this is the role of the local government. Still, the funds that were set aside to help Harvey victims have not made it in the hands of Houstonians in need. We need to revisit the funds and do a full audit to understand what went wrong.

Candidate Houijami:
I will bring the developers, Financial institutions and the City of Houston to create affordable condos, strong bricks for under $35000, and Homes < $100K. Many countries they did it, example of Morocco.

Candidate King:
Before we seek out new sources of funding, we must first make sure the dollars already awarded are being spent effectively and efficiently. That is not happening right now. In addition, more of the money already awarded needs to be spent on buyouts.

Mayor Turner:
As I mentioned above, our Complete Communities initiative is moving forward with affordable housing expansion, particularly along transit corridors. We are moving to hold TIRZs more accountable to meet affordable housing funding mandates, and locking in long-term affordable housing stock through an innovative land trust program.

3. Today, a household earning the median (and below) income in Houston cannot afford the median housing costs in Houston. What is your plan to reduce displacement in gentrifying areas while also expanding affordable housing choices in well-resourced areas?

Candidate Baker:
Gentrification displacement can be addressed by not increasing property taxes for existing residence. I will expand on such programs as the LARA and work with our community partners to expand affordable housing choices.

Candidate Broze:
I do not think the government should be involved in this area.

Candidate Houijami:
–> My 1st key of my plan of action for affordable housing for the majority of Houston: “Creation of the mortgage payment assistant program (MPAP)” for middle-class and low income working Houstonians. It will pay up to %45 of the total mortgage monthly payments, it will stabilize the financial situation of more than 100,000 Houstonians families and give them a fair share, an opportunity to stand against gentrification & inequality. I will bring the developers, Financial institutions and the City of Houston to create Affordable condos, strong bricks for under $35000, and Homes < $100K. Many countries they did it, example of Morocco.

Candidate King:
I am concerned about the amount of affordable housing money that currently goes to developers, consultants, design professionals and financiers, many of whom are also major contributors to city election campaigns. My focus would be toward assuring more of the available federal dollars end up building homes and not paying fees.

Mayor Turner:
We need to do both. Early in my first term, I engaged in a spirited debate with HUD over
moving low-income families into “opportunity neighborhoods.” I support these efforts but they must be coupled with investment in long under-served neighborhoods. That was the impetus for creating our Complete Communities initiative.

4. What policies or initiatives will you implement to ensure more development of affordable housing along or in close proximity to frequent public transportation lines?

Candidate Baker:
I would advocate for and be a mediator between Metro and developers to make sure public transportation is available in such areas. Citizens have suffered because having no transportation disrupts education and employment needs and responsibilities.

Candidate Broze:
Discourage and stop providing incentives to the developers who are building townhomes right next to each other and gentrifying communities around Houston.

Candidate Houijami:
The Kinder Institute Houston Area survey reported traffic as the “biggest problem facing people in the Houston area today.” Affordable, convenient, and safe mobility options help Houston remain economically competitive, environmentally responsible, and resilient in the face of disaster. Currently the Texas Department of Transportation is planning to build a $10 billion highway project known as the North Houston Highway Improvement Project or I-45 expansion. The project seeks to redirect our downtown highway network, including I-45, 610 N, I-69, and 288.

An estimated 1 Million Houston-area residents need more affordable transportation options for all. Several high-demand areas including parts of west and southwest Houston and much of the east side of Harris County, as well as pockets of need in places like Spring Branch and Greenspoint. To keep up with our population growth, we will need more federal and state funding. My Strategy will focus on improving:

– Increase 24/7 service – more routes, increased frequency, and longer operating hours.
– Improved coordination among modes – buses, trains, and airports.
– Transit Priority – bus lanes, queue-jumper lanes, bus-priority traffic signals, and other measures that reduce delay to transit vehicles. Grade separation so transit is not delayed by cross-streets and traffic congestion.
– Reallocate Road Space to transit and walking.
– Comfort improvements, such as reduced crowding, better seats and cleaner vehicles.
– Improved Stops and Stations, including shelter (enclosed waiting areas, with heating in winter and cooling in summer), seating, Wayfinding and other Navigation Tools, washrooms,
refreshments, Internet services, and other convenience and comfort features.
-Lower fares and discounts, and more convenient fare payment (such as electronic “smart cards”).
– Improved rider information and Marketing programs, including real-time information on transit vehicle arrival.
-Transit Oriented Development and Smart Growth, which result in land use patterns more suitable for transit transportation.
– Pedestrian and Cycling Improvements that improve access around transit stops.
– Bike and Transit Integration (bike racks on buses, bike routes and Bicycle Parking near transit stops).
– Universal Design of vehicles, stations and pedestrian facilities to accommodate people with disabilities and other special needs.
– Park & Ride facilities.
– Reform transport Regulations and Organizations to increase transit service efficiency and
responsiveness.
– Improved Security for transit users and pedestrians.
– Multi-Modal Access Guides, which includes maps, schedules, contact numbers and other information on how to reach a particular destination by public transit.
– Services targeting particular travel needs, such as express commuter buses, Special Event service, and various types of Shuttle Services.
– We need also, to encourage businesses and employers to offer an affordable Group transportation or ride shared for their employees to get to work, and back to home.

Candidate King:
We can increase affordable housing options with better management of the considerable amount of dollars we already receive for this. We need to be careful about making investments around traditional public transportation because of the incredible technological disruption on the horizon.

Mayor Turner:
Increasing affordable housing near transit is one of the priorities in our Complete Communities initiative. For example, Avenue CDC has constructed several affordable housing communities near transit in the Near Northside.

5. Should the City have an emergency management plan in place, and available beds identified for longer term rental, for future storms?

Candidate Baker:
Yes. As a former first- responder for the City of Houston, I know how important it is to have a fully comprehensive plan in place for future storms to include evacuation, restoration, recovery, housing, reimbursement funding, aid, etc.

Candidate Broze:
Yes, an emergency management plan is necessary. However, we need to accept the reality that
Houston is an increasingly unsustainable place to live. If the climate continues in the current direction we should expect flooding to continue and worsen. Plans need to be made to encourage people to stop moving to Houston and develop a strategy for helping those who are already here.

Candidate Houijami:
Yes, I will put in place my own plan B.

Candidate King:
Among my first actions will be to assemble a commission to determine what went right and wrong during Harvey. This should have already happened. It hasn’t. Under my watch, we will have a definitive response and recovery plan that will be available to the public on the City’s website.

Mayor Turner:
The city has an emergency management plan in place and we’ve been making improvements based on the lessons we learned from Harvey. The Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security is working in coordination with the Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Information Technology, and Health Department.

Transparency:

1. If you are elected, please describe three actions you will take to ensure transparency in the City’s budget process and its priorities in spending beyond the annual CIP meetings held throughout the districts?

Candidate Baker:
1. Provide copies of finalize budget and updates to all Super Neighborhood Alliances. 2. Use TV, Radio, and social media to keep the public informed. 3. Make information readily available to all registered voters and potential registered voters.

Candidate Broze:
Make the budget and the budgeting process a public event, where community members can have full access to the budget and provide input.

Candidate Houijami:
– Solution to lower the abuse of power by the Mayor as a Position —> : “Creation of a General Manager of the city of Houston. He’s not going to be elected but appointed, hired. And If he doesn’t do his job, he gets fired.” —> %35 Power to Mayor + %35 Power to City Council + %30 Power To City General Manager.
– I will implement a performance measurement system for All the departments of the city of Houston, to improve transparency and ethical practices, especially on how the budget is been spent.
– An internal Audit to all the departments to be done every 6 months.

Candidate King:
1. I will restore to the budget document more than 200 pages of information deleted by Turner.
2. Every contract will be posted on the city website.
3. The Monthly Financial Report will list contracts from the previous month that fell below
the $50,000 threshold requiring council approval.

Mayor Turner:
After Harvey walloped our city budget, we are moving to address the structural budget imbalance with a zero-based budgeting model – requiring every expense to be justified. We have also revamped our Build Houston Forward infrastructure program website with more information for the public and more changes are on the way.

Job Creation and Workforce Development:

The Houston Chronicle recently reported that “net migration” to Harris County (and the City of Houston) has been negative for the last three years, meaning more people are leaving than coming. This creates a labor shortage and slows economic development, but also provides an opportunity to reinvest and “in-fill” the city to provide a more attractive quality of life. To do this, however, skilled labor will be required and continued opportunity to encourage advancement and training within city limits may be necessary.

1. Please describe in your own words key elements that are needed to construct a city-wide workforce development program and key partnerships you think would be necessary to ensure young Houstonians can find jobs locally within 10 years.

Candidate Baker:
The key would be workforce out-reach. As a former recruiter for the City of Houston, being present in neighborhoods and on college campuses proved to be very effective in hiring Houston’s youth. I would also develop more partnerships with the private sector to carry out such assignment.

Candidate Broze:
I do not believe in central planning. The I do not believe in central planning to this degree. I think we need to encourage personal responsibility and encourage young Houstonians to get educated and skilled in areas where this is a demand for jobs.

Candidate Houijami:
– My main Strategy is Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship in Houston, Funding and financing remain one of the top concerns of young entrepreneurs, who, in spite of their attractive business ideas, cannot take the plunge because of lack of resources and proper business mentoring. I want create the “Young Entrepreneurs Start-up Special Loan with %25 Grant include” up to $25,000 for age 18 to 29 years old. I want make it easier for youths to start a business and expand their own jobs. Young Entrepreneurs can make a fundamental contribution to the socio-economic development by redoubling their efforts. It has also a social impact by lowering crimes among Young people. Small Busines Admimistration (SBA), Financial Institutions and City Of Houston to will develop innovative partnerships and business models, mentorship and traineeship programs for Houstonians Youths to make my program happens!

In the other hand, I will implement action plans targeting youth employment. I will establish enterprise incubation programmes and infrastructure projects that hire and train young people. I will also incentivize education institutions and private operators to do the same. Enouraging Employers to create entry-level job opportunities, implement school-to-work apprenticeships and on-the-job training programmes, as well as support young entrepreneurs through mentoring. Also Educational institutions can incorporate entrepreneurship into the curriculum and work with employers to ensure they offer students the appropriate training.

– Minimum wage in the United States currently stands at $7.25 per hour for most employees include young people, you can not survive with this income.I believe The stress of poverty can also burden the mind, causing us to make worse decisions and ignore our health, also committing crimes. So a minimum wage of at least $11.11 is an antidepressant. It is a sleep aid. A diet. A stress reliever. It is a contraceptive, preventing teenage pregnancy. It prevents premature death. It shields children from neglect and most importantly a positive impact on people’s well-being and happiness.

Candidate King:
We need to work with high schools, community colleges/universities to create curriculum and programs to train workers in the skill sets needed today and tomorrow. In addition, we must make sure we have the infrastructure in place to be attractive to startups. This should include a robust angel investor network.

Mayor Turner:
We are working in partnership with tech giants like Microsoft and our educational institutions to increase STEM education, digital coursework and job skills for young Houstonians. I am also extremely proud that our Hire Houston Youth program has grown from 450 summer jobs to more than 11,000 this year.

2. Do you see local hire as a priority for workforce development? Why or why not?

Candidate Baker:
Yes, when we hire locally we keep the monies in the local economy. We also strengthen families, build stronger communities which makes our city that much stronger. We’ll also reduce homelessness.

Candidate Broze:
Hiring Houstonians who live in proximity to the workplace could reduce the need for long commutes and reduce strains on infrastructure. I support local hire as a priority for City government. The city should not intervene in hiring practices of local businesses.

Candidate Houijami:
I want to bring —>> “Driver License to All undocumented Working Families From All Races & Ethnicities in Houston WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORDS”

I- Benefits Our Economy:
– Driver’s license application fees will generate revenue
– Grow businesses and stimulate economies, and we all know the majority who works in the
construction.
– Boost the auto insurance and auto sales industries.
– Unlicensed, uninsured drivers cause damage claims that cost other policyholders. More licensed and insured drivers will reduce the number of accidents and lower insurance rates for all.

II- Makes our Houston safer:
– States can maintain accurate records including the names and addresses of all state residents.
– First responders and health care providers will be better able to determine the identity of victims and patients.
– State resources can be directed to more crucial priorities if courts and jails are less congested by issues arising from driving without a license or insurance, such as civil violations, criminal charges, and jail time.

III- Improves public safety on our roads:
– Taking driver’s tests and properly register with the state’s motor vehicle agency.
– knowing the rules of the road and understanding of traffic regulations.
– Obtaining auto insurance, reducing the cost of accidents involving uninsured motorists and potentially lowering insurance rates for everyone.
– Less likely to flee the scene of an accident.
– Identifying motorists and accessing accurate traffic records ensure public safety.

IV- strengthens families.
– How you feel to get behind the wheel of a vehicle knowing if you get pulled over for any reason it will lead you to deportation? —-> You’d be afraid to go to work or visit the doctor or take your kids to school or…..
– Driving is essential to hold a job to provide basic life necessities for ANY family, such as food, shelter, and medical care
-Undocumented families can participate more fully in society without the constant fear of being stopped by the police.

V- Our social teaching = WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS:
– Individuals must work to provide for their families and contribute to society
– We must respect every human being, regardless of immigration status, and acknowledging the dignity of their efforts to work in order to provide for themselves and their families.

Candidate King:
It is always better to hire locally because it provides jobs for residents and the income earned by those workers stays in the community, helping to fuel the economy.

Mayor Turner:
Local hire is an important part of workforce development. It must be combined with job training and, for those who have been chronically unemployed or underemployed, support services that help workers keep and succeed in their jobs once they have been hired.

Worker Protections:

The HOME Coalition fully supports the Better Builder Program created by one of our member organizations. The Better Builder Program creates good jobs in the construction industry by establishing minimum standards on construction sites. These standards include a living wage for all construction workers, OSHA 10-hour safety training for all workers, workers compensation coverage, local hiring goals to place workers in approved skills training programs, and independent on-site monitoring to ensure these standards are met.

1. Would you support incorporating these standards as minimum requirements in the City? Please explain why or why not.

Candidate Baker:
Yes. This would decrease our unemployment rate, reduce homelessness, and also allow room for those felons seeking a second chance to find employment all of these ideas will help keep our local economy strong.

Candidate Broze:
I don’t know what exactly is meant by a living wage – such a term is completely subjective. However, I do support independent on site monitoring to ensure standards are being met.

Candidate Houijami:
Yes, I did sign it at AFL.CIO.COPE.

Candidate King:
In general, I support the Better Building standards, however, the scope of this question extends to numerous different legal situations. Whether I would support the standards in any particular case in the future would be subject to a definition of those standards and the applicable situation.

Mayor Turner:
I was instrumental in the adoption of these standards and know them well. Part of the reason
we could achieve these standards is that they came with a funding source. I support continuing and expanding this program in principle, but we must be realistic about our current budget constraints.

2. Many government entities have passed fair contracting (often referred to as responsible bidder ordinances) or best value contracting to level the playing field between construction entities. Explain how you would work towards better transparency in all city bids.

Candidate Baker:
Ending our pay to play style of giving contracts. Re-evaluating the entire bidding process and make sure that any perception of corruption is eradicated. Forming an independent committee to have oversight of the bidding process.

Candidate Broze:
I support responsible bidder ordinances in contracting. I especially like the idea of an ordinance which includes proof of participation in an apprenticeship training program, proof of certificates of insurance, and compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.

Candidate Houijami Answer:
By lowering the power of the mayor to give contracts to his big donors.

My speech part(1) with Mayor Mr Turner and other mayoral candidates at garden oaks and super neighborhood 12 Mayoral Candidates Forum.

I- I presented My Plan Of Action = Solution to lower the abuse of power by the Mayor as a Position —> : “Creation of a General Manager of the city of Houston. He’s not going to be elected but appointed, hired. And If he doesn’t do his job, he gets fired.” —> %35 Power to Mayor + %35 Power to City Council + %30 Power To City General Manager.

Candidate King:
Contracts will be awarded based on the lowest responsive bid. It is more cost-effective and eliminates subjectivity that allows rewarding of campaign contributors. Once a contract is awarded, all documents related to the award, except those which cannot be released by law, will be posted on the city website.

Mayor Turner:
We are in discussions with the Labor community about adopting an ordinance of this type.