Important Hou. Council Committees Should Have Better People Running Them-Democracy Project Notes, 10/5

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* Here are Houston Democracy Project Blog Notes & Observations for October 5th. Election Day is in 31 days on November 5th & Early Voting begins in 16 days on October 21st.

* There is a story in the New York Times about how the gerrymandered Republican-dominated legislature in North Carolina, has prevented needed steps to protect the people of North Carolina from the consequences of extreme weather.

From the story--

"Over the past 15 years, North Carolina lawmakers have rejected limits on construction on steep slopes, which might have reduced the number of homes lost to landslides; blocked a rule requiring homes to be elevated above the height of an expected flood; weakened protections for wetlands, increasing the risk of dangerous storm water runoff; and slowed the adoption of updated building codes, making it harder for the state to qualify for federal climate-resilience grants."

This made me think of Houston City Council's so-called Resilience Committee chaired by rightwing extremist Councilmember Twila Carter.

Here is the stated mission of the Resilience Committee-   

"Will review but not limited to: All items, actions or policies related to the existing City of Houston Resiliency Plan and Climate Action Plan." 

Here is the agenda of the committee for each monthly meeting since the committee first met in May. While some good topics have been discussed, it is not an aggressive agenda given the realities of the moment. Or even really a series of regular meetings if you look at the agenda. 

Climate change is real.  Houston is greatly impacted by climate change. Imagine handing oversight of this issue--Mayor Whitmire did that--to someone to supports for President a felon who goes on about eating pets who represents a political party that does not care much about climate change. Surely there is a Councilmember with sounder judgment who could act with greater urgency and more care to take the lead on this critical concern.
 
It is just like how the ten Houston City Council Democrats have been nearly invisible on the 2024 campaign trail even with authoritarianism and police state mass deportations on the ballot.  

Houston is a big hopeful city with big troubles. Why can't we find elected officials who will meet these challenges in serious manner?    
 
* Activism is normal people deciding to act. Showing up consistently with a clear understanding of why you are showing up is half the battle at the least.  
    
* Above you see the book Texas Post Office Murals--Art For The People. It was written by Philip Parisi and published by Texas A & M Press in 2004.  It's interesting art, Texas history and insight into the operations of the New Deal. The book is still in print. 

I read an hour each night to help keep the stresses of the day from prevailing.  

* The John Cornyn Houston Office Protest will mark Week 400 at the corner of Memorial & Detering this Tuesday, October 8, 11:30 AM-1 PM, 5300 Memorial Dr. It's important that people see others like themselves willing to stand openly and confidently for democracy. Please join us.    ​

Here is a fundraising pitch for Houston Democracy Project. I'm doing the work and showing up in many different ways.  Please help the effort. 
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The Houston Democracy Project works daily to inspire, organize and strengthen pro-democracy coalitions in Houston and Harris County.

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