Election results to bring new dimensions to Houston governance From the cover
Proposition A Results
Proposition B Results
Two-minute impact
Against: 35%
For: 83.1%
Against: 16.9% For: 65%
The two ballot propositions—commonly referred to as propositions A and B—both passed with approval of at least 65% of Houston voters. Proposition A requires the city to amend its charter to allow any member of the 16-member Houston City Council to place items on the agenda as long as they have support of at least two other council members. District C council member Abbie Kamin—who covers the Heights, Montrose and other parts of the Inner Loop—said Proposition A will allow the council an opportunity to help move efforts forward that are already underway in some fashion but could fizzle out without council action. Kamin said she hopes items would still be subject to department review, legal review and fiscal analysis, which she said could help prevent abuse of the new powers. Galveston Area Council—a regional planning group that plays a central role in allocating state funds for projects—to make board voting power more in line with how population is spread throughout the region. The effort to promote Proposition B was led by advocates with the grassroots group Fair for Houston, who said the current structure results in unfairly weak voting power for urban representatives. Meanwhile, Proposition B calls Houston representatives to work with the Houston-
Before H-GAC’s 37-member board of directors includes: • One member from 13 counties, two members from Harris County • One member from cities with populations over 25,000, two members from Houston • Four representatives covering remaining cities • One school district representative
Mayor
Council members
Required to place item on agenda
Before The mayor of Houston has sole power to determine what items are placed on weekly Houston City Council agendas.
Houston members on the board of directors
Houston represents 30% of the region’s population
After • H-GAC members must work out a new structure that makes board voting power more “proportional” to population. The language is intentionally open-ended. • H-GAC has 60 days from election results being certified to make the changes • If H-GAC and city fail to reach agreement by deadline, Houston is obligated to leave H-GAC
After The mayor still can place items on agendas, but a council member can also place an item on an agenda if its placement is backed by at least two other council members.
or
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY, HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL, HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
A closer look
City attorney chimes in
Council of Governments The H-GAC is a Council of Governments that covers the 13-county Houston region. The COG can continue operating without Houston, Michel wrote. Key detail : A majority of directors is all that is needed to conduct business.
Metropolitan Planning Organization The MPO covers eight counties and provides input on distributing funds. Key detail: To redesignate an MPO, approval is required from Gov. Greg Abbott and representatives covering 75% of H-GAC’s population.
Transportation Policy Council The MPO’s policy-making body
coordinates transportation planning. The TPC can continue to function without the city of Houston, Michel wrote. Key detail : The TPC only requires a majority of members to conduct business.
In an August memo to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, City Attorney Arturo Michel gave his take on several legal questions related to Proposition B.
SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON ATTORNEY’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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