Whitmire & Council Bypass Democracy To Gut Sidewalk Law-Should Protect Democracy Instead

Houston City Council discussed the city sidewalk ordinance today. Three Councilmembers--Tiffany Thomas, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz & Ed Pollard--want to change a provision in the law that requires developers to either build a sidewalk, or pay a fee when constructing a new house. The three councilmembers used newly approved Proposition A to propose the elimination of the fee. Proposition A allows any three members of Council to introduce an ordinance to the agenda. 

The discussion of elimination of the fee has been contentious. I oppose the changes, but that's an issue outside the Democracy Project. The concern here is that Mayor Whitmire today made the change sought by the three councilmembers by simply writing a memo. There was no vote of Council. This is not the way to proceed as I detail in the letter below that I e-mailed today to each of the ten Democrats on Council.

Here is the letter:            
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With democracy on the ballot in 41 days, the City of Houston took a step in the wrong direction today by negating the sidewalk fund ordinance with a memo from Mayor Whitmire, rather than by a vote of Council.    

The issue at this point has nothing to do with sidewalks. City leaders used a Proposition A-sponsored ordinance to undermine democracy. This is just the opposite of what Houston voters intended when overwhelmingly supporting Prop. A in 2023.    

How is there public safety or democracy when the law can be altered simply with a memo? How can we demand that our authoritarian State of Texas government obey the law in dealing with our elections and policies impacting cities, when the city is just making up the law as it suits political convenience and uncertain motives?     

Councilmembers would be best employed promoting democracy rather than dismantling it. It is important Houstonians be aware of what is at stake in the upcoming election. Houston City Councilmembers must take a role in providing this essential information. 

At issue in this election is a radical agenda that would put our city at risk. 

This agenda includes:

* Authoritarianism  
* Mass deportations 
* Project 2025
* Attacks on reproductive health care
* End of efforts to address climate change
* Increased legal immunity for police officers   

As strong as the pull of business as usual, these are the facts in front of us. What could be of higher concern at this moment other than stopping this extreme agenda? 

Please consider holding Democracy Town Halls to inform Houstonians of these threats. Be actively involved in efforts to stop those who would take our freedom. Put a pause on campaign fundraisers for the next city election three years away, and work right now to make sure there will still be a democracy in three years. 

Elected officials are rarely reliable allies. But here is a case where your interests converge with those of the public you represent. None of you will be safer than any of us in the future intended by those pushing the extreme agenda referenced above. Please join the fight right now while the battle ahead can still be won. 

Thank you. 

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