Government
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
Council members support transparency in projects In a Dec. 9 Budget & Fiscal Affairs meeting, committee members voted in favor of moving forward with an amendment that will require city officials and the mayor’s administration to be more transparent on changes made to major infrastructure projects within each district. What’s happening? Council member Julian Ramirez first proposed the amendment in June, along with two other related proposals to the city’s $16.7 billion Cap- ital Improvement Plan. The three amendments are intended to create more transparency when changes are made to major projects, including: • Requiring monthly reports to every council member on project changes, such as delays, cancellations or alterations • The potential to request a public hearing on proposed changes
Alejandra Salinas wins runoff race
"The intention is good, but I think the outcome will not be aligned with the intention." TWILA CARTER, AT LARGE POSITION 3
Alejandra Salinas beat Dwight A. Boykins in a December runoff race for the Houston City Council, At-Large Position 4 seat. Salinas garnered 58.56% of the vote, which translates to 25,796 votes cast in her favor. Boykins received 41.44%, or 18,257 votes cast, according to election results. In a social media post after the election, Salinas expressed her gratitude for those who voted in her favor. “Now, we get to work,” she said. “I’ll keep you posted on the next steps and look forward to working with you and for you to build a city that respects and serves every Houstonian.” Something to note City Council members are limited to serving two terms of four years each.
"People see things not being done, and they want to know why. This is part of the reason [for the amendments]
to give that information to the district council person and the residents." JULIAN RAMIREZ, AT LARGE POSITION 1
• Allowing council members to object and vote on changes. The approval allows the ordinance to be placed on a future City Council agenda for a vote.
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