What’s Going On In Texas?
Positive Political Outcomes From Around The State
With the start of construction for I-45 happening soon, throwing my beloved Downtown and East Downtown into +10 years of highway turmoil, I began to feel a bit helpless. I bike to East Downtown weekly to play soccer, meet friends, or eat tacos, and soon that part of Houston will seem severed from the rest of the city with the highway expansion. While I’m disappointed with the outcome of this boondoggle, there still is so much to be hopeful for in Texas these days. That’s right, not just Houston, but all over Texas, we are seeing amazing policy come out to provide us Texans with a safer, cleaner and more democratic state. I’m going to quickly talk on Prop A and B in Houston, Parking Minimums in Austin, and Prop 14 statewide to highlight what I’m most excited about. If I left anything out, feel free to let me know in the comments.
I think what I’m hoping to convince myself is that no matter how many bad projects TxDOT can throw our way, there is always still a little fight in us for a better future. A more connected future, with walkability and bikeability, safe transit and clean parks. A future with beautiful skylines instead of traffic laden streets, where kids can run and play without the fear of speeding cars. The quote Freedom Not Freeways stands out to me today, and for that reason I’m going to be positive about what’s happening in Texas. We can still have an impact on our built environment and it requires standing up and speaking out. Let’s see how that’s happening across our great state.
Houston
The obvious starting point is Yes on Prop B. An incredible group of organizers have done the impossible; collecting +20K(!!) signatures and then knocking on +100k(!!) doors to make our voice heard. Houston is part of an MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) named HGAC (Houston Galveston Area Council), ok that is the last abbreviation, and until recently was vastly underrepresented. While Houston and Harris County have 63% of the population, we only maintained 20% of the votes on this council. The imbalance led to outcomes where Hurricane Harvey relief funds were not distributed fairly, and the approval of the I-45 project that disproportionately impacts our city, not the suburbs. Well, Houston voters understood the assignment and passed this proposition with 65%, and we couldn’t be happier. Why does this give me hope? It provides Houston more autonomy in distributing federal infrastructure dollars, which until now have been funneled to suburbs. Now it’s time for our city leaders to negotiate for population proportional voting, and then on to bigger and better infrastructure projects.
Next up in Houston was Proposition A, allowing any three city council members to put an item on the council’s weekly agenda. Similar vibes to Prop B, but vastly different mechanism, this will enhance the inherent democracy in our city council chamber. Until now, the mayor had almost absolute authority on the council’s agenda. One could argue on the efficiency of a strong mayor city, but it’s critical that our city council members, each representing different parts of the city, have a stronger voice in Houston policy. Why does this give me hope? We shouldn’t have to rely on the mayor to approve of progressive policy in Houston anymore. As we saw with Prop B, the majority of Houstonians are ready for a cleaner more multimodal Houston, not cluttered with freeways in every neighborhood. With more autonomy for city councilmembers, we can dream of a new generation of policy aimed at sustainably growing our city.
Austin
At a time where Arlington’s downtown is 42% parking lot and Houston’s downtown is 26%, Austin has taken an incredible step forward in combatting this regressive urban norm. Yes, Austin became the largest city in the United States to drop minimum parking requirements citywide. As we have learned, parking minimums eat valuable land, burden developers, and ultimately impact ordinary citizens. This reform will allow more density throughout the city which in turn provides cheaper housing and more walkable neighborhoods. This is what we call a win win, folks! Throughout the U.S., when we require new developments to provide parking spaces, we’re taking away opportunities to build additional apartment units or even preventing an apartment complex from being built at all. The cost of parking is a tax that all citizens pay, but now we’re at least removing the mandate that it be paid for every development. Why does this give me hope? It allows Austinites to decide when and where they need parking. Paving over paradise is never a fun exercise, and now we’ll get to see new developments all over the city that encourage transit/walking/biking, and that provide more aesthetic value than a parking lot.
Texas
Last and certainty not least was Proposition 14, providing $1 Billion dollars (with a B) to Texas State Parks. On the 100th anniversary of the state park system, Texans across the state voted in favor of the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund providing us with opportunities to maintain and grow these great assets. Preserving natural ecosystems is crucial in combatting climate change, providing recreation areas, and protecting our wildlife. Again, this is a win-win-win, folks! As the population of Texas continues to grow, I am so excited to see the foresight of protecting the most important habitats of our state, and then opening them up to the public for all to enjoy. Why does this give me hope? Instead of highways and roads, roads and highways, we’re going to see lakes, ponds, forests and fields, mountains, hills and everything in between. I personally can’t wait to go back to Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls, and maybe I’ll get to visit Caddo Lake for the first time.
Time and time again we saw Texans across the state vote in favor of more democracy at the city level, positive urban reforms city wide, and dedicated resources for parks across the state. How incredible that my fellow Texans saw a future as bright as I, and voted in favor of it all. While the moving forward of I-45 through my city is disappointing, I know we’re not done fighting for a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable Texas. Now let’s go out and vote for more in 2024.
