Houston Democrats

Sue Lovell started out with a 5 minute introduction. She has been active advocating for GLBT issues and in Democratic Party politics. She is serving on the Resolutions committee of the DNC recently. Sue understands the needs of blue collar workers, having driven a Fedex truck when first started out. She learned about public service in John Sharp's office, helped implement the Texas Tomorrow Fund, the Lonestar Card and Texas Workforce commission.

Sue brought up an issue with HCC (Jay is a trustee) outsourcing maintenance services, and the impact on Texas Workforce Commissin operations. Hopefully they will be able to work out a solution today.

Next up is Jay.

Jay mentioned that he loves this city, and it needs more police, firefighters and infrastructure improvements. The Rita evacuation was a snapshot of rush hour traffic in 2020. This presents a major challenge - we must think forward.

Jay worked as a legislative aide for Rodney Ellis and also worked for Mayor Brown. He advocates building private/public sector partnerships for all aspects of the city. We have 5 overlapping layers of health care systems which should be integrated.

Jay committed that HCC will not allow the Workforce Center to be shut down.

Kris Graham asked for the candidates to articulate their differences.

Jay said they agree on issues, their differences are in their backgrounds and their approach to issues. Sue is a great activist, Jay has governmental experience.

Sue said they have different philosphies. She doesn't like to take the easy route. Mentioned her involvement with the fight against AIDS and cleaning up local parks and neighborhoods.

Both oppose Proposition 2. It's personal for Sue. Jay has probably lost conservative votes over his stance on Prop 2.

Property taxes: Progressives need to provide an alternative. Jay supported Prop 1 in last year's election. Jay supports expansion of the homestead exemption.

Sue mentioned Prop 3, which authorized Anise Parker to perform performance reviews.

Sue has issues with paying high taxes to build the county while the inner city infrastructure is underfunded.

Sue: Do not turn over health care the Harris County Commissioners Court until/unless we have more Democratic commissioners.

Question about CHIP. Jay: It's overfunded and under-enrolled. Not all CHIP-eligible people are signed up.

Stan Merriman - Halliburton Protest a few months ago where protestors were assaulted by mounted police. A town hall meeting was held with video of the police action. Mayor promised to have the police dept. investigate himself. And that the stockholders have a right to meet, without addressing the right to peaceful protest.

Sue: Reminded about protest at the RNC where they were herded into Astrodome parking lot. There was also an incident at a protest at Randall's over a fired HIV employee. This was used as a practice run.

Jay: Supports a policy to limit police authority in similar situations. That is City Councils role.

Voter verifiable paper trails: Jay supports a resolution to require voter verifiable paper trails. Sue said it would not be difficult to add a paper trail.

Emergency planning, role of City Council:
Jay is not confident at all in our current disaster planning. Logistic issues need to be addressed. TXDot runs highways, but municpalities control access to them. The general public needs a single point of contact. Too many mixed messages by politicians.

Sue thought mayor stepped up and was a great leader. It was great to see county and city working together. We need better communications with TXDOT

Sue: Disaster plans should not be secret. People should know where they're to go in an emergency. Like a school fire drill.

Question about outsourcing in college system, especially San Jacinto. Sue comes from a long line of union members. www.suelovell.com.

Jay: HCC went from 50 private sector contractors to one. Union apprentices are used in construction of all collegiate facilities. HCC is the only governmental entity to require such practices from contractors.

Sue is totally opposed to privatization. Contractors and subcontractors must provide health care for employees.

Jay said Mayor White's program to contract out subsets of government operations when resources are scarce is not privatization.

They both agreed to support each other if only one of them is in the runoff.

Cheryl Roppolo mentioned she's endorsed Sue from the day she announced.

Ethics. Yard signs in freeway right of way illegal? Jay said that he will make sure there are no signs on the right of way.

Jay stated that the questionable campaign filings reported in the Chronicle are untrue.

How would you vote support a resolution to end the war in Iraq?
Jay - would support such a resolution. I think Sue agreed, but I'm in a different room and can't hear everything.

Dr. Hrabar brought up environmental initiatives.

I just wish BOTH these people could be on City Council.

Tree ordinance: Jay supports an ordinance to double the number of trees in Houston to both improve air quality and reduce temperature and requiring a permit to cut down trees larger than a given diameter.

As a Jay supporter, I enjoyed a thoughtful and friendly discussion by both candidates. Those in attendance were well served by attending.

Go Jay!

Greg has more. But it's opinionated...;-)