Jackson, Kamin, Pollard, Plummer Respect Voters On Prop. B Vote-Democracy Begins At Home

Here are Houston Democracy Project Blog Notes & Observations for November 3rd. Election Day is in 2 days on November 5th. Early Voting is over.

*Houston City Council last week voted to approve paying membership dues to the Houston Galveston Area Council despite last year's Proposition B vote. Proposition B directed the City of Houston to leave H-GAC if the city did not get representation on the panel equal to Houston's population. H-GAC has not  extended that representation to Houston. They are not considering doing so. Still, Council agreed to pay the dues. Prop. B passed with 65% of the vote 

Four members of Council did the right thing and voted to not pay the dues. Those Councilmembers were Tarsha Jackson, Abbie Kamin, Ed Pollard & Letitia Plummer.  Thanks to each of them for respecting the will of the voters. 

I hope advocates of Prop. B will sue the city to enforce the City Charter. This is the view Councilmember Pollard appeared to back in Council discussion of the issue. (Debate begins at the 2 Hour 9 minute mark of the HTV broadcast of last week's Council Agenda Session. At the 2 hour 52 minute mark, Mayor Whitmire makes clear his disdain for the Prop B vote. It's depressing and not surprising. The full Prop B. debate runs 50 minutes.)   

A few weeks back four Houston Councilmembers went out on a limb and proposed a city tax increase to help pay for storm damage recovery in Houston. Those Councilmembers were Sallie Alcorn, Mario Castillo, Joaquin Martinez and Letitia Plummer. They did not have to get out in front of that issue--But they did. 

Thanks to Councilmember Plummer for being on the right side of both Prop B. and evident need for more city revenue.  
           
Back in August, Council--for the moment at least--said no to Mayor Whitmire's anti-First Amendment ordinance that would essentially end the right of Houstonians to protest at the homes of elected officials or powerful individuals. No individual roll call vote was taken on the issue, but the votes were not there. 

It was clear in August that citizen input mattered in the sidewalk protest ordinance vote.  

I'm writing this two days before the General Election when so much is at stake. It's important we not lose sight of local democracy even as we fight for our national democracy. Authoritarianism will require a local infrastructure. Mass deportations and implementation of the goals of Project 2025 will require the acquiescence and support of local officials. 

We need local officials who will be brave and who will advocate for democracy. No matter the outcome of the national election, (And the outcome of the court cases and possible right wing violence after the election.) we must still confront an extremist right-wing Texas state government.

​Let's praise Councilmembers when they follow the right course even when it is difficult. Let's be willing to publicly hold them to account when they don't. No elected official is a reliable ally. They are people who have successfully navigated these systems that have taken us to the brink of Donald Trump's return to the White House. Watch them with a wary eye & don't allow them safe harbor in any coming storm. Demand they fight for us.   

Here is how you can speak at Council and here is how to contact your council member. 

*The John Cornyn Houston Office Protest will be out for Week 404 at the corner of Memorial & Detering tomorrow Tuesday, November 5th, 11:30 AM-1 PM, 5300 Memorial Dr. It's important people see others like themselves willing to stand openly and confidently for democracy.  The Protest will continue  past Election Day.  We cannot be bullied off the street by the aggression of the right.  Please join us.

Please sign the Houston Democracy Project petition to make the pledge to show up for freedom in 2024 no matter what.

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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