We asked this year's candidates for Houston City Council what they
think about several transportation policy issues that affect neighborhoods.
Most questions included background information. Our questions and
the candidates' responses are presented in six sections:
The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) has more than a dozen
proposals for toll roads around the Houston area that have had little
or no review by the public or even city officials. Informed public
participation would make these better projects. But under current state
law, Harris County is NOT required to hold public meetings to inform
the public of toll road projects or gather input regarding their
concerns and preferences. In spring 2005, CTC asked the City of
Houston to help lobby the state legislature to increase public
accountability in toll road planning.
In 2004, the Texas Transportation Commission authorized a first-of-its-
kind agreement to privatize toll road development. The state contract
authorizes Cintra-Zachery, a private concessionaire, to plan, develop,
and operate a portion of the Trans-Texas Corridor parallel to I 35 south
of Austin for private gain. Harris County is exploring similar private
concession possibilities for the Harris County Toll Road system, which
would affect many Houston drivers.
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| Q2a: Support increased toll road accountability? |
Q2b: Support using city resources to lobby? |
Q2c: Support privatizing infrastructure dev? |
| Mayor |
| Anthony Dutrow |
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| Jack Terence |
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| Bill White (I) |
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| At large #1 |
Peter Brown |
Yes. Stakeholder and community input must be an essential part of the toll road planning process. Those impacted by the policy must have a voice in its formulation. Toll roads cannot be proposed or planned unless part of a comprehensive plan. A fragmented transportation network is a waste of taxpayer money. |
Yes, particularly the composition. We need a more effective Regional Transportation Council - more inclusive and representative. |
Generally, no. However, the privatized downtown streetcar line in Portland, OR would be an exception. |
Michael Griffin |
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Rogelio Morales |
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| At large #2 |
Hipolito Acosta |
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Jay Aiyer |
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John Elford |
Yes, I believe that all public initiatives which involve taxpayer money must have methods of accountability built into the process. |
Yes |
I am open to any delivery method which successfully gives the taxpayers a good product, on time with transparency and accountability. |
Sue Lovell |
Absolutely. This should be a transparent process that encourages competition and awards contracts based on merit, not political relationships. |
Yes. |
No. |
James B. Neal |
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| At large #3 |
Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (I) |
Yes. People deserve to have input in both route selection and design for all roads. |
Yes. |
The Trans-Texas Corridor has raised a tremendous outcry from the community and it remains to be seen whether this proposal will ever be completed. Texas needs improved infrastructure and creative ways to accomplish this are appropriate with adequate public input and accountability. The community must stay completely engaged in these projects. The State Legislators need to communicate with constituents on these matters. |
James Partsch-Galvan |
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| At large #4 |
| Ronald Green (I) |
Yes. I would support legislation that would require HCTRA to obtain prior approval for toll road projects from the corresponding municipality. Additionally, public input should also be included as a vital component of this process. |
Yes. The City of Houston has a vested interest in committing resources to this issue. Many toll road projects have adversely affected communities in Houston by increasing the level of flooding and air pollution in the adjacent areas. |
No. Privatization will ultimately lead to less accountability for road construction projects. |
| At large #5 |
| Michael Berry (I) |
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| Michael Stoma |
Yes. Coordination in urban planning is the "key" to providing accessible and affordable transportation infrastructure to communities who have the greatest need. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| District A |
| Toni Lawrence (I) |
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| Dennis Carter |
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| District B |
| Tommie Ruth Allen |
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| Angle Bush |
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| Felicia Galloway-Hall |
With the proliferation of Toll Roads that by their very nature require a user fee, Toll Road Authorities should not be exempt from public hearing and notification requirements. |
I would not be averse to considering a proposal to encourage interlocal/interregional cost-sharing and cooperation in the area of lobbying issues related to our mutual transportation needs. |
"Privatizing" a, once government offered, service is a bit concerning for me for reasons not at all related to transportation. I would have to see the proposal to make a more informed decision on this matter. |
| Robin German-Curtis |
Absolutely. I support increased accountability because residents and stakeholders should be informed and offered an opportunity to provide substantive input concerning proposed projects to ensure community sensitivity in the planning of these projects. |
Yes. |
No, I do not support privatizing the development and operation of transportation infrastructure especially in light of the fact that there are little or no provisions for accountability to local municipalities and/or community residents/stakeholders. |
| Anna Gray |
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| Willie J. Hunter |
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| Charles Ingram |
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| Jarvis Johnson |
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| District C |
| Anne Clutterbuck |
Yes. I think it is essential that entities that affect our regional mobility should have an open process, and should solicit and encourage community input. I believe that elected officials have a duty to speak on behalf of the people who elect them. I plan to be an advocate for our neighborhoods with the planners and unelected boards of Metro and the various toll road authorities. |
Yes. |
I support the concept of privatization in cases where it will provide a cost savings to the taxpayer and where safeguards are in place to ensure that the private company provides equal or better service and is accountable to the public. |
| Brian Cweren |
Yes. There should be accountability so that the public is truly informed as to what is going on. |
Yes. The citizens of the City of Houston deserve to be informed and should have a say as to how their tax dollars are being spent, as well as comprehensive environmental reviews and public participation! |
No. |
| George Hittner |
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| Ray Jones |
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| Mark Lee |
Yes, it is important that neighborhoods affected by toll roads have their concerns heard and responded to by the HCTRA. |
Yes |
While I support a competitive bidding process between the public and private sectors in certain situations, I believe that the development and operation of transportation infrastructure should be left with the public sector. |
| Herman Litt |
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| Judith Siverson |
Absolutely, I support increased accountability! In July 2003, I went door-to-door to 700 homes at the request of CTC member, Linda George Smith, to gauge public opinions about the tollroad proposed for the Union Pacific Route from Memorial Park to Loop 610 South. I collected more than 300 petitions opposing the construction of the toll road. I believe that neighborhoods should always be informed about projects being discussed/planned for their areas. Information is critical to good-decision making. |
City of Houston elected officials absolutely need to stand up and be counted on this issue. Accountibility and full disclosure are key! Consideration needs to be given to where the lobbying effort can do the most good. Private funds might be needed to augment the lobbying efforts. |
As we move forward, all possibilities should be on the table but careful thought needs to be given to the advantages and disadvantages of each proposal. Voters need to support candidates who are not influenced by special interest groups. |
| District D |
| Ada Edwards (I) |
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| District E |
| Addie Wiseman (I) |
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| District F |
| Khalid Khan |
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| M.J. Khan (I) |
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| John Shike |
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| District G |
| Pam Holm (I) |
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| District H |
| Adrian Garcia (I) |
Yes, because I believe in transparency when dealing with taxpayer's money. |
Yes… and to help community leaders with their lobby efforts. |
I have concerns about privatizing public functions. It may prevent accountability to the taxpayers. |
| Larry Williams |
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| District I |
| Carol Alvarado (I) |
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| John Parras |
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Last updated Fri Nov 4, 2005.
