In today’s Chronicle, Mayor White has an op-ed where he says that if we don’t like his new $2 billion Metro expansion plan, don’t blame Metro — blame him.
The column is filled with utopian talk about how rapid/mass (which one is it?) transit will better the lives of Houstonians, but there is an interesting little tidbit that was news to me:
In the last 30 months, no one has talked to more Houstonians in more neighborhoods than I have. In every case, I supported expansion of all forms of mass transit. I supported the use of debt to accelerate expansion of the system before Metro did, and I supported Metro’s bond issue that was on the ballot and passed in November 2003. I believed then, and believe now, that the amount of debt authorized in the 2003 election was prudent and reasonable, based on my business and financial experience, even though I publicly shared reservations about Metro’s projections.
Did the mayor convince Metro to change from a pay-as-you-go policy?
And is that really a prudent business decision, in light of the fact that Metro subsists largely on tax dollars? I find it disconcerting (to say the least) that Mayor White supports a debt policy for Metro, based on his years of business and financial experience.
Then we get to the nagging problem of representation:
Within a month of taking office, I appointed a new team to the Metro board.
[snip]
[…]to ensure the highest priority for Houston’s projects.
[snip]
Houston is ready to move on.
[snip]
If we improve mobility by increasing transportation options, Houston will be the winner.
[snip]
Houston has about 1.5 million people of voting age[…]
[snip]
I was hired by voters to get this city moving[…]
[snip]
I ask all Houstonians to come together[…]
Do you think Metro-taxed, Harris County residents who didn’t get to vote in Houston’s mayoral election can get a reduction in their sales tax rate? Or, even better, how about an opportunity to vote on the NEW Metro Solutions plan.
And has anyone seen or heard from Judge Eckels?
