Y’all Street
The following is adapted from my email newsletter. To subscribe, click here.
In recent years, Dallas has emerged as a national leader in finance. This city’s approach to engaging the financial sector has garnered recognition nationwide, establishing Dallas as the country’s №2 financial capital, second only to New York City.
But even then, Dallas is catching up. Finance jobs now constitute a larger share of employment in Dallas-Fort Worth than in New York, with North Texas adding about 100,000 banking jobs in the past decade, half of which have been created since 2020.
While the financial sector thrives across the metroplex, its anchor remains in downtown Dallas. Furthermore, Dallas will soon be home to the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), poised to rival both the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ.
Dallas’ financial sector and broader economy prosper because we have cultivated a vibrant, safe, and affordable city where businesses want to operate and where employees want to live. Dallas also has the best parks of any major Texas city, which attracts business and drives economic growth.
Moreover, Dallas remains a safe and affordable place to operate thanks to the city’s dedication to public safety and meaningful property tax relief. As Dallas prepares its FY24–25 budget, now is the time to reaffirm its commitment to the three Ps which fuel its success — parks, property tax relief, and public safety.
Prioritizing Public Safety
Public safety in particular will always be my highest priority. Dallas has been recognized as the safest major city in America, and to sustain this momentum, continued investment in public safety is essential.
Dallas is in its fourth consecutive year of reducing violent crime thanks to the data-driven leadership of Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia and initiatives like the annual Summer of Safety.
The Interim City Manager’s proposed budget does attend to public safety, with funding for 250 new police officers and a new retention program. However, as Dallas refines the budget before a final vote on September 18, I remain committed to working with council members to ensure that public safety has all the resources necessary to keep Dallas safe.
With three weeks left before the budget is finalized, residents are encouraged to reach out to your council member and express your support for prioritizing public safety in the budget.
Meeting with Dallasites
Last Thursday was dedicated to meeting with Dallas constituents and listening to their concerns and aspirations for this city. Among those was Chloe, a 12-year-old who recently moved with her family to Dallas from Florida. Chloe was eager to learn not only about the role of mayor but also about what it takes to be an effective leader.
The discussion covered the importance of resilience and determination in leadership, emphasizing that true leaders stand by their principles rather than compromising for the approval of others. Thank you to the many passionate residents, young and old, who are committed to civic engagement and contributing to make Dallas an even better place.
That’s all for today. Take care of yourselves and others. Have a blessed week!
