<b>Houston is at a crossroads</b> <b>and our next mayor will face</b> <b>challenges and opportunities</b> <b>that will determine</b> <b>Houston's future and</b> <b>place in the pantheon of</b> <b>great American cities.</b> <b>I'm Jim Granato,</b> <b>dean of the Hobby School</b> <b>of Public Affairs at the</b> <b>University of Houston.</b> <b>Welcome to your Houston.</b> <b>Your Vote.</b> <b>The 2023 City of Houston</b> <b>mayoral debate is presented</b> <b>by the Hobby School</b> <b>in partnership with</b> <b>Houston Public Media.</b> <b>And Univision.

Houston.</b> <b>Tonight's moderator is Houston</b> <b>Public Media's Christina Lee.</b> <b>Good evening.</b> <b>And welcome to your Houston.</b> <b>Your Vote, The 2023 mayoral</b> <b>debate presented by the</b> <b>University of Houston,</b> <b>Hobby School of Public</b> <b>Affairs, Houston Public</b> <b>Media and Univision.</b> <b>Coming to you from the Houston</b> <b>Public Media Studios, I'm</b> <b>your moderator, Christina Yao Lee.</b> <b>Tonight, we've invited</b> <b>six candidates to</b> <b>join us to help you.</b> <b>Houstonians cast an informed</b> <b>vote in the coming weeks.</b> <b>This could be the last</b> <b>debate you watch before</b> <b>you cast your vote.</b> <b>Since early voting starts</b> <b>Monday and Election</b> <b>Day is November 7th.</b> <b>Tonight's candidates were chosen</b> <b>based on the latest Hobby School</b> <b>of Public Affairs poll, where</b> <b>at least 2% of likely voters</b> <b>intend to vote for them</b> <b>or a minimum of 8% would</b> <b>definitely consider doing so.</b> <b>All the candidates we've</b> <b>invited are here tonight,</b> <b>except for Congresswoman</b> <b>Sheila Jackson Lee.</b> <b>Who had to decline at the last</b> <b>minute to stay at the Capitol</b> <b>for the House speaker race.</b> <b>Now for the rules of the</b> <b>debate, the candidates</b> <b>will be asked questions</b> <b>by our panel of journalists,</b> <b>Houston Public</b> <b>Media senior political reporter</b> <b>Andrew Schneider.</b> <b>Univision 45 news anchor</b> <b>Marcela Perez Barros and</b> <b>University of Houston</b> <b>student John Lomax, editor</b> <b>in chief of The Cougar.</b> <b>In each round, one candidate</b> <b>will be asked a question</b> <b>and get 60 seconds to</b> <b>respond, followed by 32nd</b> <b>rebuttals and some rounds.</b> <b>The question will be</b> <b>directed at all of the</b> <b>candidates, and they'll each</b> <b>get 60 seconds to respond,</b> <b>followed by 32nd rebuttals.</b> <b>The rounds will continue until</b> <b>each candidate has had a turn</b> <b>to give the first response.</b> <b>And if time permits,</b> <b>we will have rapid fire</b> <b>questions that allow for</b> <b>ten second responses.</b> <b>Candidates, You will know</b> <b>your time is up from the</b> <b>running clock before you</b> <b>as well as a timekeeper</b> <b>who will ring a bell.</b> <b>Finally, as your moderator,</b> <b>my job is to keep us on time</b> <b>so that we can get in</b> <b>as many questions as possible,</b> <b>Which means I will</b> <b>also be interrupting</b> <b>when your time is up.</b> <b>Now let's meet the candidates.</b> <b>You each have one minute</b> <b>for opening remarks and we will</b> <b>begin an alphabetical order.</b> <b>From the left with former</b> <b>Houston City Council</b> <b>member Jack Christie.</b> <b>One minute, sir.

Good</b> <b>citizens of Houston,</b> <b>you have a important vote to</b> <b>have in the in the coming weeks.</b> <b>You are picking the leader</b> <b>that will lead this city</b> <b>that can be this</b> <b>greatest city in America.</b> <b>That candidate needs</b> <b>to have a great bayou</b> <b>to know the the health</b> <b>and the education and the</b> <b>welfare of the taxpayer.</b> <b>And that's part of my platform.</b> <b>I went on the Spring Branch</b> <b>School Board at age 28</b> <b>when I was president</b> <b>of the board.</b> <b>We were picked the most</b> <b>outstanding school board</b> <b>in the state of Texas.</b> <b>Then I went on to the State</b> <b>Board of Education.</b> <b>George W Bush put</b> <b>me as chairman.</b> <b>We raised the standards</b> <b>in the schools</b> <b>and the high school</b> <b>diploma means a lot more.</b> <b>Then I went to</b> <b>At-Large position.</b> <b>City Council for eight years,</b> <b>worked with two mayors.</b> <b>And I think I had</b> <b>perfect attendance</b> <b>in all 22 years</b> <b>of public service.</b> <b>I have the bio, I</b> <b>have the energy.</b> <b>I want to be your next mayor.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Christie.</b> <b>Houston City Council</b> <b>member Robert Gallegos.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Thank you for this opportunity.</b> <b>I'm council member Robert</b> <b>Gallegos out of the canidates</b> <b>is running for mayor.</b> <b>I'm the one with the experience.</b> <b>I've been on city council</b> <b>for the past ten years.</b> <b>I've worked with two</b> <b>mayors, Mayor Parker,</b> <b>as well as Mayor Turner.</b> <b>I'm proud of my record.</b> <b>You can go to vote</b> <b>Robin Gallegos dot com.</b> <b>I'm also chair of Quality of</b> <b>Life, a vice chair of economic</b> <b>development and former</b> <b>chair of Regulation and</b> <b>Neighborhood Affairs.</b> <b>Prior to be in the</b> <b>Council member.</b> <b>I was a community leader</b> <b>and a community organizer</b> <b>for 30 some years in the</b> <b>East End in District I.</b> <b>I also was president of my</b> <b>Civic Club for 15 years.</b> <b>Vice I was also the</b> <b>founder and first</b> <b>president of Eastwood Lawndale,</b> <b>Wayside Super Neighborhood.</b> <b>I say all that</b> <b>because I just didn't</b> <b>wake up one day and say,</b> <b>I'm running for mayor.</b> <b>I've earned my stripes.</b> <b>I've been out there.</b> <b>I know what the issues are.</b> <b>I am ready on day one</b> <b>to be the next mayor</b> <b>of the city of Houston.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Gallegos.</b> <b>And now former metro</b> <b>chair Gilbert Garcia.</b> <b>Thank you very much.</b> <b>My name is Gilbert Garcia.</b> <b>And Houstonians just</b> <b>like you, because of</b> <b>the Hobby Center poll,</b> <b>we now know the majority</b> <b>of you feel like Houston is</b> <b>going in the wrong direction.</b> <b>And I can see why.</b> <b>If you look the city of Houston,</b> <b>it works for certain people.</b> <b>It works for the government</b> <b>insiders, it works for the</b> <b>lobbyists, it works for</b> <b>the career politicians.</b> <b>But it's not working for</b> <b>everyday Houstonians,</b> <b>whether you look,</b> <b>whether it's the potholes</b> <b>that we've been dealing with</b> <b>for seems decades,</b> <b>whether it's the</b> <b>firefighters who still</b> <b>do not have a contract,</b> <b>whether it's the raid</b> <b>on the health department,</b> <b>the raid on the housing</b> <b>department, whether</b> <b>it's the really strange</b> <b>procurement with the</b> <b>Hobby Airport concession.</b> <b>You could go on and on</b> <b>whether it's the indictments</b> <b>within city hall,</b> <b>whether it's we got to boil our</b> <b>water at the end of the day,</b> <b>we need something different.</b> <b>We need an outsider.</b> <b>We need someone</b> <b>with no conflicts of interest.</b> <b>We need someone with a business</b> <b>background to shake up city hall</b> <b>to make sure city</b> <b>Hall works for all of us.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>And Attorney Lee Kaplan.</b> <b>Thank you.

I'm Lee Kaplan.</b> <b>I'm running to make</b> <b>Houston a greater city</b> <b>for everyone and everyone.</b> <b>And my plan is to focus on</b> <b>the most important issues,</b> <b>as I have confirmed</b> <b>them, from talking to</b> <b>thousands of people, crime.</b> <b>Getting more officers out on the</b> <b>street and in the communities.</b> <b>Picking up the</b> <b>garbage everywhere.</b> <b>Infrastructure, which means long</b> <b>range work on infrastructure</b> <b>and not just filling potholes.</b> <b>And finally, affordable housing,</b> <b>starting with timely permitting.</b> <b>So why me?</b> <b>Well, my experience</b> <b>is different.</b> <b>It's a small businessman</b> <b>who founded a firm</b> <b>which has grown to ten times</b> <b>its former size,</b> <b>based on competence,</b> <b>accountability and integrity.</b> <b>And the last is critical.</b> <b>I'm a real political outsider.</b> <b>I haven't been in public</b> <b>office for years and years</b> <b>not solving our problems.</b> <b>I want to be your mayor,</b> <b>not the mayor of the lobbyists.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>And now Texas</b> <b>Senator John Whitmire.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>First to the host that</b> <b>brings us together today and</b> <b>to the U of H students</b> <b>I was a UH student when I</b> <b>started in my public service.</b> <b>I was a senior.</b> <b>1972, saw a district</b> <b>that I could get elected</b> <b>in, went knock doors.</b> <b>The public elected me as</b> <b>a public servant in 1972,</b> <b>probably at about the same age.</b> <b>Of our students present today.</b> <b>I've had a distinguished</b> <b>public service record in</b> <b>the House and the Senate.</b> <b>I chaired the Criminal</b> <b>Justice Committee.</b> <b>I was asked by Houstonians</b> <b>to consider running for mayor.</b> <b>I weighed it very carefully.</b> <b>I'm making a</b> <b>difference in Austin.</b> <b>But I'm</b> <b>also concerned</b> <b>about the condition of Houston.</b> <b>We have a great</b> <b>city, great people.</b> <b>But our expectations of</b> <b>city hall are not being met.</b> <b>I will use my experience</b> <b>working across the aisle</b> <b>to bring people together</b> <b>to deal with our infrastructure</b> <b>and a variety of issues</b> <b>that we'll discuss today.</b> <b>But if we do not</b> <b>solve public safety,</b> <b>probably nothing else</b> <b>we talk about today matters.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>And now we turn to our panel</b> <b>for the first question, which is</b> <b>posed to all of the candidates.</b> <b>Crime is on voters minds.</b> <b>Despite Houston police</b> <b>data showing that crime</b> <b>is down, the University of</b> <b>Houston's Hobby School</b> <b>of Public Affairs just</b> <b>released its newest survey</b> <b>showing 82% of likely</b> <b>Houston voters say crime is</b> <b>their number one concern.</b> <b>They believe the best</b> <b>way to tackle crime is</b> <b>hiring an additional 600</b> <b>police officers and</b> <b>rank dead last, bringing</b> <b>in state troopers.</b> <b>Do you believe</b> <b>this is the way to tackle crime?</b> <b>And if so, how do we pay for it?</b> <b>Thank you, Andrew.</b> <b>And we will start responses from</b> <b>the left with Jack Christie.</b> <b>You have one minute, sir.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>That priority is</b> <b>cotton is definitely</b> <b>the priority that we have</b> <b>for eight years on city Council.</b> <b>At-Large member</b> <b>I asked for 500 more police.</b> <b>We have the same number of</b> <b>police that we did 13 years ago,</b> <b>and yet the population is</b> <b>increased 500,000 people.</b> <b>The police department with</b> <b>the crime down recently</b> <b>have done an unbelievable</b> <b>job over time.</b> <b>And we've got a good police</b> <b>chief, great police force,</b> <b>but we needed those</b> <b>508 years ago.</b> <b>I fought for it then.</b> <b>But as mayor,</b> <b>I can get you 500 more police.</b> <b>By being a fiscal conservative</b> <b>on the budget.</b> <b>We're spending much more</b> <b>than we're taking in.</b> <b>And that is wrong.</b> <b>And I will hold the line</b> <b>and get the money to</b> <b>hire 500 more police.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>Now, Mr. Gallegos goes again.</b> <b>The question was crime</b> <b>and voters asking for more</b> <b>Houston police officers.</b> <b>Do you agree?</b> <b>And how would you pay for this?</b> <b>Yesterday</b> <b>Chief Finner gave a report</b> <b>at Council before council</b> <b>started in regards to crime.</b> <b>Crime has gone down</b> <b>compared to last year.</b> <b>Is it is it perfect?</b> <b>No, it's not.</b> <b>In regards to hiring more police</b> <b>officers, Chief Finner.</b> <b>You know, he would prefer we</b> <b>could have a thousand officers,</b> <b>but we can at least get 500</b> <b>more officers would be great.</b> <b>In regards to how we're</b> <b>going to pay for it,</b> <b>we have a revenue cap.</b> <b>Voters voted on</b> <b>that back in 2004.</b> <b>It was implemented in 2018.</b> <b>Since 2018, the city has</b> <b>not collected $1.8 billion.</b> <b>That's $1.8 billion.</b> <b>As a next mayor, what</b> <b>I will do is work with</b> <b>the finance director</b> <b>as well as the next comptroller,</b> <b>to educate the public</b> <b>so that we can go back</b> <b>on the on the ballot.</b> <b>And it will be up to the</b> <b>voters to decide if they want</b> <b>to repeal the revenue cap.</b> <b>But again, that's $1.8 billion.</b> <b>It saves the average homeowner</b> <b>maybe $150 a year.</b> <b>I personally would get</b> <b>back $150 if I know I'm</b> <b>going to have more police</b> <b>officers on the street</b> <b>and new trash trucks</b> <b>and pick up the trash.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Gallegos.

Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>A couple of things.</b> <b>It'll take time to integrate 500</b> <b>police officers to hire them,</b> <b>put them through the cadet class</b> <b>and everything else.</b> <b>My view is we should</b> <b>hire more civilians to do</b> <b>the jobs that right now</b> <b>police officers are doing</b> <b>that are civilian work</b> <b>that will free up police</b> <b>officers to do more policing.</b> <b>I also think we need enhanced</b> <b>street lighting in areas</b> <b>that are high crime,</b> <b>that are relatively dark.</b> <b>And I think we need to</b> <b>bring back and expand</b> <b>more storefront policing.</b> <b>The DPS idea, that's</b> <b>one of the ideas, of</b> <b>course, on the senator.</b> <b>That has to be one of the</b> <b>worst ideas I can think of.</b> <b>We know what the DPS is</b> <b>doing there on the border.</b> <b>We know that they're</b> <b>pushing women and children</b> <b>back into barbed wire.</b> <b>That's what they're saying.</b> <b>We know what they're doing</b> <b>in Austin with a racially</b> <b>profiling people of color,</b> <b>primarily Hispanics</b> <b>and African-Americans.</b> <b>We don't need DPS.</b> <b>We don't need a</b> <b>militarize our city.</b> <b>We just need to be smarter.</b> <b>We need to think</b> <b>about creative ways.</b> <b>And I believe</b> <b>there's a better alternative.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Garcia.

Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>The mayor commissioned a study</b> <b>for $775,000</b> <b>at the beginning of his two</b> <b>terms, and that's a study</b> <b>by a group that studies cities</b> <b>how they can be more efficient.</b> <b>The most important</b> <b>recommendation was to</b> <b>civilianize more functions,</b> <b>because many police officers</b> <b>are in the buildings,</b> <b>not on the streets.</b> <b>Community policing,</b> <b>which Lee Brown brought</b> <b>in, is a great idea, but you</b> <b>have to have police to do it.</b> <b>We can't just hire 500</b> <b>more people next year.</b> <b>We'd be sending out 22 year olds</b> <b>with inadequate training.</b> <b>What we have to do is</b> <b>start by getting more</b> <b>people in the street</b> <b>and into the substations</b> <b>where we already have them.</b> <b>That's the first thing.</b> <b>The second thing, I</b> <b>think, is to get rid of</b> <b>the gun buyback program,</b> <b>which is boneheaded.</b> <b>And the third thing is</b> <b>for the mayor to really</b> <b>support the police</b> <b>in a way that's more than</b> <b>just attending funerals.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>Senator Whitmire, to you.</b> <b>The crime question, considering</b> <b>that survey, respondents</b> <b>ranked your proposal to bring</b> <b>in state troopers dead last.</b> <b>Thanks for the question.</b> <b>As chairman of criminal</b> <b>Justice, I'm uniquely</b> <b>qualified to handle this issue.</b> <b>The misrepresentation of the</b> <b>use of the DPS is unfortunate.</b> <b>What we need with</b> <b>the DPS is to work with</b> <b>Chief Fenner, and they're</b> <b>already in Houston.</b> <b>I can document that they're</b> <b>working with HPD now.</b> <b>We need their resources.</b> <b>We need their</b> <b>anti-gang task force.</b> <b>We need to free up</b> <b>HPD to be in our neighborhoods.</b> <b>We have very little</b> <b>traffic enforcement.</b> <b>We need to get after the DWI.</b> <b>We could use DPS to complement</b> <b>HPD under HPD direction.</b> <b>We need their helicopters.</b> <b>We need their forensics.</b> <b>We need their</b> <b>anti-gang activities.</b> <b>I can't imagine someone</b> <b>that would criticize</b> <b>as badly as we need</b> <b>additional resources.</b> <b>We obviously got to recruit,</b> <b>recruit, recruit.</b> <b>If you do that successfully,</b> <b>you don't need outside</b> <b>law enforcement.</b> <b>But they are our state police.</b> <b>They're trained.</b> <b>They are in Houston today.</b> <b>But mostly we need their</b> <b>resources and money to</b> <b>attack crime in Houston.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>Now we open up the floor</b> <b>for any rebuttals or responses.</b> <b>I think I would just</b> <b>say that's boneheaded.</b> <b>The gun buyback is boneheaded.</b> <b>We need visibility.</b> <b>I knew as a young man,</b> <b>don't speed on 610 or</b> <b>the Southwest Freeway.</b> <b>That's not the case anymore.</b> <b>The only way in the short term</b> <b>that we increase</b> <b>our police force is</b> <b>by using it wisely.</b> <b>In the longer run,</b> <b>we can recruit more people,</b> <b>but we simply cannot have</b> <b>500 more cops on the street</b> <b>in less than two years.</b> <b>Crime is actually up.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Kaplan.

Also.</b> <b>Yes, I would welcome DPS money</b> <b>and resources.</b> <b>Don't get me wrong, if they're</b> <b>willing to send money down here</b> <b>for us to increase our</b> <b>law enforcement efforts,</b> <b>I'm willing to take their</b> <b>money and I'm willing</b> <b>to take their resources.</b> <b>I just don't want to see</b> <b>this city become militarized.</b> <b>I don't want to see</b> <b>what's happening in the</b> <b>valley happen in Houston.</b> <b>And I don't want to see</b> <b>people of color being</b> <b>racially profiled.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Gallegos.</b> <b>I do oppose state</b> <b>troopers in the city.</b> <b>State troopers are trained to be</b> <b>rural police officers, not urban</b> <b>police officers.</b> <b>And that's opening the</b> <b>gates for, you know,</b> <b>situations where they may be</b> <b>doing things here in</b> <b>the city of Houston that</b> <b>they're not trained to do.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Gallegos.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Christina.</b> <b>And remember what I said</b> <b>earlier, that for the full eight</b> <b>years I was on city council.</b> <b>I asked for 500 more police.</b> <b>You can stagger them over the 88</b> <b>years and have 500 more police.</b> <b>Same way I did with opioids.</b> <b>I warned them for eight years</b> <b>that that's part of crime</b> <b>and they didn't stop</b> <b>opioids back then.</b> <b>It would have saved a</b> <b>lot of lives if they</b> <b>listened to me back then.</b> <b>All right.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Now let's go back to our.</b> <b>Yes, Mr..

Yes, Senator.</b> <b>Please, first of all.</b> <b>There are 15,000 correction</b> <b>officers across Texas.</b> <b>I know for a fact I</b> <b>could get 500 of them</b> <b>to come to Houston and work</b> <b>in part in terms of the DPS.</b> <b>They're here now.</b> <b>It's amazing.</b> <b>That is serious</b> <b>as we are about solving crime.</b> <b>We don't look for</b> <b>additional resources.</b> <b>The real serious problem</b> <b>is we have repeat violent</b> <b>offenders that are being</b> <b>released back to the streets</b> <b>of Houston, which I hope</b> <b>we get to discuss later.</b> <b>But we have to hold violent</b> <b>offenders accountable.</b> <b>Help the nonviolent</b> <b>change our lives.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>Thank you, gentlemen.</b> <b>Now, let's go back to</b> <b>our panel, John Lomax,</b> <b>for the second question.</b> <b>Mr.

Garcia, your main</b> <b>experience with local</b> <b>government has been as metro</b> <b>chairman in you as new</b> <b>survey, 67% of likely</b> <b>voters describe poor road</b> <b>and street conditions</b> <b>as tied with economy and jobs</b> <b>as the number two problem</b> <b>facing Houston's next mayor.</b> <b>How would you</b> <b>fix our roads and pay for it?</b> <b>First, it really goes back to</b> <b>the very essence of</b> <b>most of the troubles</b> <b>that we have in Houston.</b> <b>We have a real issue</b> <b>with city hall.</b> <b>It's an issue of incompetence.</b> <b>We've got to get a business</b> <b>mindset to go in there</b> <b>and really shake it up.</b> <b>If you look, there's</b> <b>something wrong when you</b> <b>have the health department</b> <b>raided by the FBI, the</b> <b>housing Department raided</b> <b>by the district attorney,</b> <b>the housing department</b> <b>having to give back a $50</b> <b>million grant from HUD</b> <b>that was meant for affordable</b> <b>housing when we need</b> <b>desperately affordable housing.</b> <b>There's something wrong when</b> <b>you have insiders in City</b> <b>Hall indicted for bribery</b> <b>and already pled guilty.</b> <b>There's something</b> <b>very, very wrong</b> <b>when you still don't have a</b> <b>contract with the firefighters.</b> <b>At the end of the day, I think</b> <b>we need a whole different</b> <b>shake up of city hall.</b> <b>We need a whole different redo</b> <b>to look at all the departments</b> <b>to see what can be consolidated,</b> <b>because there's clearly money</b> <b>slipping through the cracks.</b> <b>If the lobbyists and so forth,</b> <b>other insiders are making money,</b> <b>that's money that's not going</b> <b>to roads and to the taxpayers.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Anyone for a response</b> <b>or a rebuttal?</b> <b>All I would say is fixing</b> <b>potholes is not the answer.</b> <b>Kathy Whitmire was a</b> <b>prophet without honor</b> <b>and her own country here</b> <b>because she initiated long</b> <b>range street improvements,</b> <b>which of course meant</b> <b>drainage, because you take</b> <b>up the street and repair</b> <b>the drainage.</b> <b>That was years and years ago.</b> <b>Those streets have entered</b> <b>have gotten into the end</b> <b>of their useful life.</b> <b>We should use the drainage</b> <b>fee the way it was</b> <b>pitched to the citizenry,</b> <b>not the way it was written, so</b> <b>as to give the administration</b> <b>too much wiggle room.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Caplan.

Yes, Senator.</b> <b>You have to make it a</b> <b>priority and you have to</b> <b>look outside the norm.</b> <b>We need to partner</b> <b>with the county.</b> <b>We need to let</b> <b>the county know that</b> <b>as we talk today, we're</b> <b>standing in Harris County.</b> <b>There's no reason we can't use</b> <b>additional county resources.</b> <b>Part two of the city of Houston</b> <b>to deal with our infrastructure.</b> <b>Also, look, the management</b> <b>district centers do their part.</b> <b>We've got to find</b> <b>additional resources</b> <b>and make our infrastructure,</b> <b>including water, one of</b> <b>our highest priorities.</b> <b>Thank you.

Senator,</b> <b>Anyone else?

Yes, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>When I first joined City</b> <b>Council at large,</b> <b>it was with Mayor Parker.</b> <b>But when Mayor Turner came</b> <b>on, that was a priority.</b> <b>And I agree with the</b> <b>other candidate who said</b> <b>it should be a priority.</b> <b>We took 30 day</b> <b>response time down</b> <b>to three days.</b> <b>I sat atop an asphalt truck</b> <b>and was seeing how we did it.</b> <b>It is not a priority</b> <b>now and it should be.</b> <b>And again, I agreed with another</b> <b>one of the candidates that said</b> <b>we shouldn't drain money</b> <b>away from the streets and roads.</b> <b>Mr.

Gallegos.</b> <b>As council member, I've</b> <b>worked with both Commissioners</b> <b>Rodney Ellis, as well</b> <b>as Adrian Garcia, who</b> <b>represent District I in</b> <b>regards to partnerships.</b> <b>We have limited resources</b> <b>and therefore they</b> <b>brought up county moneys,</b> <b>for example, Oaks Road.</b> <b>That's a project that the</b> <b>city has not been able</b> <b>to do, do the funding.</b> <b>But I work with Adrian Garcia,</b> <b>Commissioner Garcia, and</b> <b>we were able to refer</b> <b>we Resurface Oates Road</b> <b>and also expanding the tours.</b> <b>I was able to expand the</b> <b>Harrisburg tunnels as</b> <b>well as the Gulf Gators,</b> <b>so that way there'll be more</b> <b>revenue coming into the city.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Gallegos.</b> <b>I guess there's no</b> <b>rebuttals.

There isn't.</b> <b>I apologize.</b> <b>Let's return to our panel</b> <b>for the third question,</b> <b>which will be for all</b> <b>of the candidates.</b> <b>Again, you will each have one</b> <b>minute to answer this question.</b> <b>Then you service ranks,</b> <b>economy and jobs is</b> <b>tied for second place.</b> <b>Among the leading problems,</b> <b>likely voters say the next</b> <b>mayor should address</b> <b>within that framework.</b> <b>HOUSTON Hispanic population</b> <b>is particularly concerned</b> <b>with unemployment</b> <b>rates in child care.</b> <b>Given that two issues</b> <b>are clearly related.</b> <b>How do you plan to boost</b> <b>job opportunities for this</b> <b>community while also providing</b> <b>affordable child</b> <b>care for Hispanic population?</b> <b>This time we will start from</b> <b>the right with Senator Whitmire.</b> <b>First, you have to be</b> <b>sensitive to the communities</b> <b>that are underserved.</b> <b>One of my real concerns,</b> <b>and one of the reasons</b> <b>I run for mayor is</b> <b>I'm alarmed by we're</b> <b>having to Houston's</b> <b>not only in daycare or</b> <b>affordable housing, but nearly</b> <b>almost every service,</b> <b>you know, infrastructure</b> <b>to Denver Harbor.</b> <b>Once their first</b> <b>sidewalk, I go into the</b> <b>Heights, Washington area,</b> <b>their turn up perfectly</b> <b>good, three foot sidewalks,</b> <b>four, eight foot sidewalks.</b> <b>It's just an example of the</b> <b>disparity across our city.</b> <b>So, one, we have to</b> <b>unite people, which I</b> <b>have a record of doing,</b> <b>and also make everyone buy</b> <b>into our problems.</b> <b>You can't have people that are</b> <b>living well, not understand</b> <b>how we all live</b> <b>affects everyone.</b> <b>Those are our workers,</b> <b>our employees, our friends.</b> <b>So what we have to do</b> <b>is make all Houstonians buy</b> <b>into the situation</b> <b>that you just described.</b> <b>I want people that are doing</b> <b>well to realize we've got</b> <b>people that barely make</b> <b>it with their affordable</b> <b>housing lacking and also the</b> <b>daycare and looking for jobs.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Mr.

Kaplan, Again, the</b> <b>question is economy</b> <b>and jobs and Houston's</b> <b>Hispanic community</b> <b>looking for solutions to</b> <b>unemployment and child care.</b> <b>You also have one minute, sir.</b> <b>Well, Professor Klineberg</b> <b>book called The Prophetic City,</b> <b>is one that highlights</b> <b>the need for education.</b> <b>That's the first thing.</b> <b>The mayor doesn't</b> <b>really control that.</b> <b>But and people don't realize</b> <b>this Lonestar College and</b> <b>Houston Community College</b> <b>have together a 160,000</b> <b>students a year in all</b> <b>kinds of specialties.</b> <b>So that's the first thing,</b> <b>is helping people get jobs.</b> <b>By the way, the</b> <b>city's website sucks.</b> <b>It sucks.</b> <b>And if you've ever</b> <b>tried to navigate it</b> <b>and I have without help, it's</b> <b>virtually impossible.</b> <b>And that's the first thing.</b> <b>We've got to expand</b> <b>the opportunities.</b> <b>The second thing we have to do</b> <b>is tell the private sector</b> <b>you have to employ people.</b> <b>I've represented people</b> <b>and companies ranging from</b> <b>Exxon Mobil and Conoco</b> <b>Phillips to indigent defendants</b> <b>and plaintiffs</b> <b>who had very little</b> <b>in the way of resources.</b> <b>And child care is</b> <b>a critical issue.</b> <b>If you live in River</b> <b>Oaks or Tanglewood,</b> <b>not much trouble there, But</b> <b>elsewhere, we have to have more.</b> <b>Thank you.

Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>Mr.

Garcia.

Sure.</b> <b>The Hispanic community</b> <b>needs to be one of the</b> <b>number one priorities</b> <b>for the next mayor.

Why?</b> <b>Because it's roughly</b> <b>half the city where the</b> <b>Hispanic community goes.</b> <b>So will the Houston's future go?</b> <b>That is the future</b> <b>workforce of the city.</b> <b>We've got to get them educated.</b> <b>We've got to get them mentored.</b> <b>We got to get them</b> <b>into the middle class.</b> <b>And we need to help them</b> <b>build and create wealth.</b> <b>As it relates to the</b> <b>sort of the other issues</b> <b>about your question.</b> <b>It really goes back to the</b> <b>competency of city hall, because</b> <b>right now there are companies</b> <b>that are leaving high tax states</b> <b>and they're moving to Texas, but</b> <b>they're not moving to Houston.</b> <b>That should be</b> <b>sounding alarm bells.</b> <b>They're moving to Dallas.</b> <b>They're moving to Austin.</b> <b>Further, if you look,</b> <b>the population is growing</b> <b>all around Houston,</b> <b>whether it's Brazoria County,</b> <b>the unincorporated parts</b> <b>of the county, whether it</b> <b>is Missouri City amble.</b> <b>Katy, you name it.</b> <b>But we're not growing</b> <b>in Houston any more.</b> <b>In fact, the last three years,</b> <b>the city of Houston has shrunk</b> <b>about one and a half percent.</b> <b>We should be</b> <b>ringing alarm bells.</b> <b>This the mayor should</b> <b>be taking the lead.</b> <b>That's what I would do</b> <b>if I were elected mayor.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Councilmember Gallegos.</b> <b>I'm the only Latino</b> <b>on city council.</b> <b>Been on City Council</b> <b>for ten years.</b> <b>The last eight years,</b> <b>I've been the only Latino</b> <b>representing District I.</b> <b>I'm proud that I joined</b> <b>Mayor Turner in the ribbon</b> <b>cutting of the</b> <b>East End Maker Hub.</b> <b>There off Navigation.</b> <b>It's a 300,000 square foot</b> <b>warehouse where basically</b> <b>it helps in regards</b> <b>to technology, medical</b> <b>and fabrication training</b> <b>for individuals.</b> <b>Also, we're looking at hopefully</b> <b>within the next five years,</b> <b>1000 businesses can</b> <b>open up because we're</b> <b>providing those services.</b> <b>And that was funded</b> <b>by the Federal government.</b> <b>Also, as a next mayor, what</b> <b>I would like to do is provide</b> <b>child care at that facility</b> <b>so that way those that</b> <b>are going for training</b> <b>can also leave their kids</b> <b>knowing that they can</b> <b>leave their kids there at</b> <b>day care at this facility.</b> <b>HISD is 62% Hispanic.</b> <b>We need to make sure that</b> <b>we provide education for</b> <b>the Hispanic community.</b> <b>Otherwise that will impact the</b> <b>city of Houston in the future.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Gallegos.

Mr. Christie.</b> <b>When I first ran for</b> <b>city council at large,</b> <b>I was on the East End</b> <b>and it had a nice sized audience</b> <b>like we have here.</b> <b>And I said, Listen,</b> <b>you could run the city if you</b> <b>registered to vote and vote</b> <b>42% of the population Hispanic.</b> <b>Why do we only have one good</b> <b>Hispanic here?</b> <b>He's done a good job.</b> <b>So this city is</b> <b>is multicultural.</b> <b>It's a toss salad of society.</b> <b>And we need everyone</b> <b>represented.</b> <b>So if that if the voters</b> <b>vote, they'll put it</b> <b>in the right people.</b> <b>The right leaders</b> <b>in this city can can</b> <b>be great again, really,</b> <b>because it was on a good roll</b> <b>before COVID.</b> <b>And I think COVID divided</b> <b>us and we don't get</b> <b>along like we used to.</b> <b>My job is to put</b> <b>people back together,</b> <b>get good representation,</b> <b>and please, as a voter,</b> <b>vote your conscience and vote</b> <b>for good people in office.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Christie.</b> <b>And gentlemen, you now</b> <b>have 30 seconds opportunity</b> <b>for each of you for a rebuttal.</b> <b>I would like to add health</b> <b>care is a priority to day care</b> <b>and certainly the jobs.</b> <b>It's so unfortunate</b> <b>that there are so many</b> <b>Houstonians uninsured.</b> <b>We can't continue to</b> <b>have people show up</b> <b>in the emergency room</b> <b>because they didn't get</b> <b>primary care earlier.</b> <b>So there are many services, food</b> <b>deserts, mental</b> <b>health areas that are not</b> <b>being distributed properly.</b> <b>So let's just work to bring</b> <b>Houston together and provide</b> <b>the quality of</b> <b>life that some enjoy for all.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Senator, Anyone else?

Yeah.</b> <b>The city's budget</b> <b>is only about $7 billion.</b> <b>The private sector is</b> <b>maybe 40 times that much.</b> <b>It's a myth that the city can</b> <b>suddenly do all these things.</b> <b>But a mayor who has worked with</b> <b>people in the private sector</b> <b>all the way from the</b> <b>energy corridor to the</b> <b>port is the kind of person</b> <b>who can encourage them to make</b> <b>sure that health care options</b> <b>are available,</b> <b>childcare options are available.</b> <b>That's what the mayor has</b> <b>to do, is be a leader and</b> <b>not just of city employees.</b> <b>That's one of the things that I</b> <b>think is critically important.</b> <b>Mr.

Caplan.

Yes, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>There's a lot of discussion.</b> <b>The senator mentions</b> <b>that he's worked with</b> <b>seven or eight mayors.</b> <b>He says that regularly,</b> <b>and it's true.</b> <b>And he talks, of course,</b> <b>about Denver Harbor</b> <b>and the sidewalks and</b> <b>potholes and so forth.</b> <b>And please let the</b> <b>senator answer.</b> <b>You've been in the pinnacle</b> <b>of power for for 50 years.</b> <b>For 50 years.</b> <b>Why haven't you worked with all</b> <b>these mayors all these years</b> <b>to have done something</b> <b>about these issues that have</b> <b>been going on, it seems,</b> <b>for decades?</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Mr.

Garcia, any</b> <b>additional responses?</b> <b>Yes.

Mr.</b> <b>Christie is also mentioned</b> <b>in the question about child care</b> <b>and affordability and jobs.</b> <b>You know, and I think most</b> <b>of the business community</b> <b>support me because I'm</b> <b>very tight on the budget.</b> <b>And it's simple.</b> <b>We don't spend more than we got.</b> <b>We're doing that now.</b> <b>We're spending</b> <b>more than we have.</b> <b>With a good economy, you</b> <b>have more construction,</b> <b>you have more jobs,</b> <b>and you can afford the</b> <b>child care on your own.</b> <b>Jobs are available here.</b> <b>But we need to bring</b> <b>the city together</b> <b>to build in the next Christie.</b> <b>Right.</b> <b>Let's go back to our</b> <b>panel, to Andrew Schneider</b> <b>for the fourth question.</b> <b>Mr.

Kaplan, you've said you're</b> <b>running to improve the quality</b> <b>of life for Houstonians</b> <b>in his new survey.</b> <b>Flooding ranks third.</b> <b>Among the problems</b> <b>likely Houston voters</b> <b>say should be the top</b> <b>concern of the next mayor.</b> <b>Many residents, particularly</b> <b>lower income residents,</b> <b>have suffered repeated</b> <b>flooding going back to</b> <b>Tropical Storm Allison.</b> <b>Given that Houston's geography</b> <b>makes flooding such</b> <b>an intractable problem,</b> <b>what would you do to</b> <b>reduce this threat?</b> <b>That's two of one of the</b> <b>four things I talked about.</b> <b>As I said, Kathy Whitmire</b> <b>tried very hard to do</b> <b>something about infrastructure.</b> <b>We have a drainage fee.</b> <b>It was pitched one way.</b> <b>It's been administered another.</b> <b>Rearranging the potholes</b> <b>doesn't do us much good.</b> <b>The 18 wheelers will do that</b> <b>for us all on their own.</b> <b>The important thing is to</b> <b>reduce streets so that the</b> <b>drainage underneath them</b> <b>many of which are 100 years</b> <b>old, get repaired.</b> <b>And particularly</b> <b>in the East Side,</b> <b>Third Ward, Fifth Ward</b> <b>and Sunnyside all have</b> <b>serious problems that</b> <b>are not shared by River</b> <b>Oaks and Tanglewood.</b> <b>And so the first thing I would</b> <b>do is use the drainage fee</b> <b>the way it's</b> <b>supposed to be used.</b> <b>We have to get the</b> <b>water to the bayous.</b> <b>The county flood control is</b> <b>responsible for disposing</b> <b>of it, and they know that.</b> <b>So that's the way</b> <b>I would attack.</b> <b>The issue is figure out</b> <b>which streets that areas</b> <b>flood the most, most frequently</b> <b>and work on them first.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Mr.

Kaplan, any</b> <b>responses or rebuttals?</b> <b>I would like to mention</b> <b>the maintenance of</b> <b>our drainage system.</b> <b>About a third of</b> <b>our neighborhood</b> <b>drainage is cluttered</b> <b>with grass clippings, debris.</b> <b>So it's interfering downstream</b> <b>and in that neighborhood</b> <b>with their drainage.</b> <b>What we've also got to do</b> <b>is attack illegal dumping.</b> <b>I can take you to</b> <b>locations in Houston today.</b> <b>They have no drainage</b> <b>because the bar ditch</b> <b>is completely full.</b> <b>And I'm glad the city finally</b> <b>accepted their responsibility</b> <b>really recently to keep</b> <b>the barge ditches clean</b> <b>for the neighborhood.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Gallegos.</b> <b>On city council.</b> <b>We voted on the SWAT program.</b> <b>The SWAT program</b> <b>basically works with the</b> <b>district council member.</b> <b>And we then in turn work with</b> <b>former council member Castelo.</b> <b>The the floods are in regards</b> <b>to drainage projects that</b> <b>we have in our district.</b> <b>For example, we encourage</b> <b>them to go out there</b> <b>and actually clean up</b> <b>these drainage drainage canals</b> <b>because again, there they</b> <b>have a lot of overgrown grass,</b> <b>they have a shopping carts,</b> <b>you know, they have tires.</b> <b>So that all gets cleaned</b> <b>out and that helps in</b> <b>regards to the drainage,</b> <b>in regards to flooding.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>I agree with all three</b> <b>candidates, but what</b> <b>I'd like to add is,</b> <b>again, it's really a strong tone</b> <b>at the top that needs to be set.</b> <b>It took a lawsuit</b> <b>to really get the transparency</b> <b>on how the city was</b> <b>allocating the drainage fee.</b> <b>And if you look at the</b> <b>drainage fee, depending upon</b> <b>how you do the mathematics,</b> <b>it's either diverted 200</b> <b>million from the inception,</b> <b>which is about a year's worth</b> <b>of projects or up to 400 million</b> <b>since inception, which</b> <b>essentially would have built</b> <b>a whole nother reservoir.</b> <b>So we need much better</b> <b>transparency in city Hall.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>We sit</b> <b>maybe five feet above sea</b> <b>level, so we're always</b> <b>going to be vulnerable.</b> <b>You get 12 inches of</b> <b>rain and you can do</b> <b>everything in the world.</b> <b>But there's going</b> <b>to be flooding.</b> <b>I agree with one of the other</b> <b>candidates talked about,</b> <b>don't divert the drainage fee</b> <b>from that, from that budget.</b> <b>But also, as the</b> <b>we have seven beautiful bayous</b> <b>philanthropists have helped us</b> <b>and volunteers helped us</b> <b>keep those bayous clean.</b> <b>That's important</b> <b>for the drainage in the city.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>And now for our fifth question</b> <b>for Marcela Perez Barros.</b> <b>Senator Whitmire,</b> <b>at least 1.5 million people</b> <b>have crossed the southern border</b> <b>over the past year as COVID 19</b> <b>era restrictions ended.</b> <b>El Paso and other cities along</b> <b>the Texas southern border</b> <b>and major cities elsewhere,</b> <b>so much as New York</b> <b>are struggling to provide</b> <b>to their recent influx.</b> <b>How would you respond</b> <b>as Houston mayor</b> <b>if city resources are strained</b> <b>by new arrivals?</b> <b>Well, of course, you know, it</b> <b>needs to be a national policy.</b> <b>But until Congress can</b> <b>decide first if they</b> <b>can elect a speaker,</b> <b>we need leadership</b> <b>at the top in Washington.</b> <b>But you're right, The result</b> <b>ends up in our cities.</b> <b>I think we need an</b> <b>urban initiative.</b> <b>I think Dallas, San</b> <b>Antonio and Austin.</b> <b>Houston needs to come together.</b> <b>Go to Washington.</b> <b>Go to Austin and talk about</b> <b>the challenge of dealing</b> <b>with the immigrants,</b> <b>the immigrants or some of our</b> <b>best neighbors there in Houston.</b> <b>I can take you to Hilcroft and West Park </b> <b>on a Sunday afternoon.</b> <b>Hundreds, if not thousands of</b> <b>immigrants are coming together</b> <b>with their native</b> <b>foods and customs.</b> <b>It's a beautiful sight to see.</b> <b>So, one we have to recognize.</b> <b>There are neighbors.</b> <b>There are workers speaking</b> <b>to that health care</b> <b>that I did a moment ago.</b> <b>Sadly, they don't</b> <b>have health care.</b> <b>They show up at</b> <b>an emergency room.</b> <b>We can do so much better.</b> <b>We need an I.D.</b> <b>card, which the immigrant</b> <b>community has asked me,</b> <b>maybe a library card,</b> <b>some way to identify</b> <b>their presence.</b> <b>I'll support that.</b> <b>And I think we can</b> <b>do so much better.</b> <b>Senator, any responses?</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>You know, I'm a big</b> <b>fan of futurists</b> <b>that see the future</b> <b>and make decisions.</b> <b>Sometimes they</b> <b>don't listen like.</b> <b>Like I've had a few times.</b> <b>George W Bush is in town today.</b> <b>He had a plan 18 ago</b> <b>to secure the border.</b> <b>Earn your citizenship</b> <b>when there wasn't a problem.</b> <b>And earning the citizenship</b> <b>could have taken eight years.</b> <b>But he had a plan.</b> <b>Couldn't get bipartisan support.</b> <b>If we were to listen</b> <b>to that.

Futurists.</b> <b>We would not be</b> <b>having that problem.</b> <b>Mr.

Christie.</b> <b>Anyone else?

Yes, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>People want to work.</b> <b>You don't cross</b> <b>the border in Gap.</b> <b>You don't brave the snakes</b> <b>and the cartels.</b> <b>If you're looking for a</b> <b>welfare check and I've</b> <b>said that at the River</b> <b>Oaks Country Club,</b> <b>the AFL-CIO and everywhere else.</b> <b>The second thing is, why</b> <b>is it that Bill White could</b> <b>welcome so many Katrina</b> <b>victims to Houston and</b> <b>we absorb them and now</b> <b>we're having problems?</b> <b>That's leadership.

It</b> <b>comes from the top.</b> <b>A welcoming attitude</b> <b>for people who want to work.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Kaplan.

Yes, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>I agree with the things</b> <b>that Senator and leading</b> <b>everybody has said.</b> <b>I think the key is</b> <b>they're human beings.</b> <b>They're people.</b> <b>And I can tell you</b> <b>what I wouldn't do.</b> <b>I wouldn't do racial profiling.</b> <b>I would not I would</b> <b>put very difficult</b> <b>circumstances around</b> <b>any hate crimes.</b> <b>I would make sure that</b> <b>as human beings, that</b> <b>they're not mistreated.</b> <b>And ultimately, it</b> <b>is a federal issue.</b> <b>And I would try to work</b> <b>with the federal government</b> <b>for them to do something</b> <b>on this issue that's been</b> <b>talked about for decades.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Anyone else for a response?</b> <b>Yes.

Two</b> <b>would with our</b> <b>congressional delegation</b> <b>in order to address this</b> <b>through the federal government,</b> <b>with President Biden, whoever</b> <b>would be president at that time.</b> <b>In regards to the</b> <b>the the overflow of,</b> <b>you know, individuals</b> <b>that are coming in from</b> <b>from our southern border.</b> <b>But again, again, this</b> <b>is a federal issue.</b> <b>So, again, working</b> <b>with our federal</b> <b>delegation and</b> <b>congressional delegation.</b> <b>Thank you, Councilmember.</b> <b>Let's go back to our panel for a</b> <b>second question from John Lomax.</b> <b>Councilmember Gallegos,</b> <b>the Houston Association</b> <b>of Realtors reports</b> <b>that the cost of a median</b> <b>price home in Houston has</b> <b>risen nearly 58% since 2015.</b> <b>That means a household needs</b> <b>to earn almost twice as much</b> <b>as eight years ago</b> <b>to afford a median price home.</b> <b>This has been especially hard</b> <b>for students and young people.</b> <b>How you make sure there</b> <b>are enough affordable homes</b> <b>and rentals to go around.</b> <b>City Council just recently</b> <b>voted on Livable places.</b> <b>Livable Places</b> <b>is from the Planning Department.</b> <b>We had public,</b> <b>you know, meetings where</b> <b>individuals actually</b> <b>came to public session</b> <b>and they were giving us their</b> <b>opinions and what have you.</b> <b>But livable places are going</b> <b>to provide other stocks</b> <b>of homes, for example,</b> <b>allowing for garage</b> <b>apartments to be built</b> <b>in someone's home if</b> <b>if it's allowed on</b> <b>the deed restrictions,</b> <b>of course, of deed</b> <b>restrictions doesn't allow</b> <b>that, then that won't happen.</b> <b>Also in regards to for Plex's</b> <b>eight plex is also in regards</b> <b>to courtyard houses where</b> <b>they will build four or five</b> <b>houses around courtyard.</b> <b>This is extra housing stock</b> <b>so that way the prices</b> <b>can hopefully come down</b> <b>and students can also afford</b> <b>these these new houses.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Gallegos.</b> <b>We open the floor</b> <b>for any responses.</b> <b>Mr.

Garcia.

Well,</b> <b>thank you.

Good.</b> <b>Two quick things.</b> <b>The first is my wife.</b> <b>I are building</b> <b>affordable housing just</b> <b>to learn the process,</b> <b>and it took us almost a year</b> <b>to get a permit.</b> <b>That is unacceptable.

Why?</b> <b>Because permitting</b> <b>should be a revenue generator.</b> <b>We need to stabilize the</b> <b>neighborhoods to get the</b> <b>homes on the tax rolls.</b> <b>We need the tax revenue.</b> <b>And I would partner with</b> <b>other places and other</b> <b>entities like NECA.</b> <b>They have below interest,</b> <b>below market interest</b> <b>rates where they subsidized</b> <b>housing and they build</b> <b>wonderful quality modular homes.</b> <b>We need to think differently.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>We've now touched on the</b> <b>four things I identified</b> <b>as most important crime.</b> <b>Picking up the</b> <b>garbage permitting and</b> <b>drainage permitting.</b> <b>If it takes a year</b> <b>and you're paying 7% interest</b> <b>for a bridge loan to build</b> <b>a house, you're in trouble.</b> <b>I've had developers</b> <b>tell me, Lee, I hate</b> <b>dealing with the county,</b> <b>but I will not</b> <b>deal with the city.</b> <b>That is nonsensical.</b> <b>It just creates more sprawl.</b> <b>So the permitting department</b> <b>deserves much more attention.</b> <b>So we know who that and</b> <b>who's in charge, and</b> <b>we solved that issue.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>You a good example</b> <b>and a bad example.</b> <b>We have a lot of great</b> <b>nonprofits in this city,</b> <b>meaning they're not</b> <b>profiting off the taxpayer.</b> <b>New Hope housing opens up these</b> <b>these affordable houses</b> <b>and they are truly affordable.</b> <b>And it's done with</b> <b>not profit in mind.</b> <b>We need more from New Hope,</b> <b>housing and similar nonprofits.</b> <b>The worst thing I would not do</b> <b>is buy a $50 million toxic</b> <b>waste dump and put $300,000</b> <b>affordable houses on it.</b> <b>Senator, first</b> <b>we have on the housing</b> <b>authority what their</b> <b>mission is affordability.</b> <b>And you do not have conflicts</b> <b>of interest which interfere</b> <b>with the affordability.</b> <b>Also, the goal should</b> <b>be homeownership.</b> <b>There are programs</b> <b>through several financial</b> <b>institutions in Houston.</b> <b>If we're going to</b> <b>help, renters wouldn't.</b> <b>When you get up to rent</b> <b>like 2000 a month, that's</b> <b>getting to a house payment.</b> <b>Let's have the go to get</b> <b>folks in affordable housing,</b> <b>help them with a down payment</b> <b>and let them have the American</b> <b>dream of owning their own home.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>Let's go back to our</b> <b>panel, to Andrew Schneider</b> <b>for Question seven.</b> <b>Mr.

Christie, you highlight</b> <b>your experience</b> <b>as a former city council</b> <b>member and reigning in</b> <b>Houston's pension debt.</b> <b>Comptroller Chris Brown</b> <b>told Houston Public Media in</b> <b>July that Houston may face</b> <b>a budget shortfall</b> <b>of about $300 million</b> <b>and needs to make</b> <b>deep cuts by 2025.</b> <b>What programs would you</b> <b>cut to balance the budget</b> <b>and still pay for your</b> <b>priorities as mayor?</b> <b>Perfect question.</b> <b>Because it all comes down.</b> <b>We can't do some of these</b> <b>great things unless we</b> <b>have a balanced budget</b> <b>the whole time on city</b> <b>council, we do not</b> <b>have a balanced budget.</b> <b>I had to cover $260</b> <b>million shortfall,</b> <b>$120 million shortfall.</b> <b>We sold off properties.</b> <b>The pension.</b> <b>I got the mayor, the</b> <b>conservative votes in the Senate</b> <b>to where it was bipartisan</b> <b>to reduce the pension</b> <b>debt from 8 billion to</b> <b>3 billion going forward.</b> <b>We're facing firefighter pay.</b> <b>We're facing $300</b> <b>million deficit.</b> <b>We've got to do a hiring freeze.</b> <b>We've got to start</b> <b>balancing the budget.</b> <b>Don't spend more than</b> <b>we got.

It's simple.</b> <b>We can't expand government</b> <b>and run the deficit.</b> <b>That's what the federal</b> <b>government's doing.</b> <b>Putting everything</b> <b>on a credit card.</b> <b>And your children</b> <b>and grandchildren</b> <b>are going to pay for.</b> <b>It'll stop with the</b> <b>Christie administration.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Christie.

And your responses?</b> <b>Yes, there are several</b> <b>things we can do.</b> <b>Number one, construction</b> <b>people have told me sell some</b> <b>properties, lease them back.</b> <b>Let the private sector</b> <b>do the maintenance.</b> <b>That's one thing.</b> <b>Second thing is a drainage fee.</b> <b>We've got to consider</b> <b>that everyone else has won.</b> <b>Third thing is we're going to</b> <b>have some kind of arbitration</b> <b>with the firefighters.</b> <b>We can't let them</b> <b>bankrupt the city.</b> <b>And finally, the is</b> <b>need limitations.</b> <b>At some point, a term has</b> <b>outlived its usefulness</b> <b>and we have to trade</b> <b>the flowerpots in the</b> <b>Post Oak area.

</b> <b>And anyone for.

Yes, Senator.</b> <b>I think we need to look</b> <b>for unnecessary spending</b> <b>when we have the urgent</b> <b>needs that we really need</b> <b>for the city to spend</b> <b>$5 million to make the</b> <b>lights on 59 look pretty.</b> <b>I think we could take that money</b> <b>and put it in infrastructure,</b> <b>in miserable employees salaries.</b> <b>We do have a challenge.</b> <b>We've got to remember</b> <b>public safety means</b> <b>firefighters as well.</b> <b>So there's a lot of</b> <b>better management.</b> <b>We need to partner with the</b> <b>county, maybe not have two</b> <b>park systems, two library.</b> <b>Why don't we come together</b> <b>and cut out the duplication?</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>Anyone else for your</b> <b>response, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>I agree that we're going</b> <b>to be facing significant</b> <b>financial difficulties,</b> <b>and I believe that the</b> <b>pension issue is not solved.</b> <b>I think that will</b> <b>be the next mayor.</b> <b>Hopefully, it'll be me.</b> <b>We'll be dealing</b> <b>with the pension issues,</b> <b>particularly the municipal</b> <b>employee pension.</b> <b>In very short order,</b> <b>most of their assets</b> <b>are not mark to market.</b> <b>Most of them are all in</b> <b>alternative investments.</b> <b>And so there's going</b> <b>to be a reckoning there</b> <b>in very short order.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Gallegos.</b> <b>As you know, in regards</b> <b>to my opponents, are all</b> <b>claiming that they're going</b> <b>to find some money to get things</b> <b>moving, but that's not the case.</b> <b>There's no money out</b> <b>there to be found.</b> <b>We've been operating</b> <b>on ARPA funding,</b> <b>but ARPA funding is going</b> <b>to come to an end in 2025.</b> <b>You have firefighters</b> <b>that we're still negotiating.</b> <b>The concern with that</b> <b>is that in regards to</b> <b>retroactive, in regards</b> <b>to their pay raises, it</b> <b>was the way when they</b> <b>wrote the contract.</b> <b>It may go back to 2018,</b> <b>2017 for pay raises, which</b> <b>you see won't be able to.</b> <b>FOREMAN Thank you.</b> <b>Now to our eighth question</b> <b>from Marcella Perez Barros.</b> <b>Mr.

Caplan.</b> <b>Houston, Proposition eight</b> <b>will be on the ballot</b> <b>for voters to decide.</b> <b>It would amend the city's</b> <b>charter to trade power from</b> <b>the mayor city council,</b> <b>allowing them to put items on</b> <b>the agenda over the mayor's</b> <b>objection, for example,</b> <b>whether to impose their garbage</b> <b>collection fee.</b> <b>Would you be willing to give up</b> <b>some of your power as mayor?</b> <b>Well, any mayor who's not</b> <b>consulting with several</b> <b>council members is going</b> <b>to be a failure regardless.</b> <b>I regard as essentially</b> <b>irrelevant to me, so</b> <b>I will vote for it.</b> <b>But I don't think it's necessary</b> <b>because any mayor</b> <b>has got to listen to</b> <b>several council members.</b> <b>Part of my time running</b> <b>for office and preparing</b> <b>to was talking to torture.</b> <b>Jackson.

Sally Alcorn,</b> <b>Tiffany Thomas,</b> <b>Mike Knox, who's</b> <b>now term Limited.</b> <b>And every time I asked, what</b> <b>do we do about these things,</b> <b>I also read the budget</b> <b>all the way through</b> <b>and looked at all the</b> <b>memos that Sally sent.</b> <b>Whenever somebody</b> <b>increased an amount by</b> <b>$20,000 or decreased it.</b> <b>So I think, of course, you</b> <b>consult with council members.</b> <b>At my law firm, we</b> <b>have many partners</b> <b>names ranging from</b> <b>Adler and Zilberman</b> <b>to Robles and Chavez,</b> <b>and we consult with each other.</b> <b>Every partner has a vote.</b> <b>So you have to do that</b> <b>to get buy in from city council.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Kaplan.</b> <b>And yes, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>I was frustrated in the</b> <b>eight years on city Council</b> <b>because I was an</b> <b>at large member.</b> <b>I could only muster up</b> <b>five votes to to cut</b> <b>budgets to save money.</b> <b>And it was frustrating.</b> <b>And the mayor, fortunately,</b> <b>had a good sense of humor</b> <b>and I would harass him.</b> <b>But I quit being finance</b> <b>chair for the for the</b> <b>mayor because he wouldn't</b> <b>give me any of these</b> <b>cuts when it first came</b> <b>out for that amendment.</b> <b>I like the idea, but I wish</b> <b>it were a majority of</b> <b>city council that could</b> <b>put it on the budget.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr.</b> <b>Christie.

Anyone else?</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>You bet.

I support it.</b> <b>It's regrettable that</b> <b>we have to have it, but</b> <b>of course I support it.</b> <b>And what I mean by that is</b> <b>when I was chairman of Metro,</b> <b>we had the same leadership</b> <b>style, the same governance</b> <b>structure, which is</b> <b>that the chairman of Metro</b> <b>had absolute power and</b> <b>control of the agenda.</b> <b>And there was not one single</b> <b>time that I had something</b> <b>from one of my board members</b> <b>that wanted something on</b> <b>the agenda that I said no.</b> <b>Any time they wanted anything,</b> <b>I put it on the agenda.

Why?</b> <b>Because I'd rather discuss</b> <b>it in open session so</b> <b>that people can know</b> <b>what's going on.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Yes, Senator, please.</b> <b>Our city council members</b> <b>remember the environment.</b> <b>I've spent my adult life</b> <b>in the legislature.</b> <b>I never had to ask a speaker</b> <b>or lieutenant governor</b> <b>permission to introduce a</b> <b>bill or offer an amendment.</b> <b>I want council members to accept</b> <b>some of the responsibility,</b> <b>greater responsibility.</b> <b>I want them to have access</b> <b>to the department heads.</b> <b>I want them to have topics that</b> <b>they will become experts in.</b> <b>If one of them wants</b> <b>to deal with illegal</b> <b>dumping, go study it.</b> <b>Come back in 90 days with</b> <b>recommendations and how</b> <b>we're going to pay for it.</b> <b>I could go on and on</b> <b>with the subject matter</b> <b>that they'll be</b> <b>allowed to work with.</b> <b>Thank you.

Yes,</b> <b>Councilman Gallegos.</b> <b>I.

We do have a strong mayor</b> <b>form of government here</b> <b>in the city of Houston.</b> <b>I've worked with two</b> <b>mayors, Mayor Parker,</b> <b>as well as Mayor Turner.</b> <b>I do support Prop eight.</b> <b>I personally where she was five</b> <b>or more council members</b> <b>just to keep the chaos</b> <b>out of city hall.</b> <b>But I do support it</b> <b>and I'm proud of what</b> <b>I've been able to accomplish</b> <b>working with Mayor Parker</b> <b>as well as Mayor Turner.</b> <b>And you can go to vote.</b> <b>Robert Gallegos dot com.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>And let's go back to our</b> <b>panel for a ninth question.</b> <b>Councilmember Gallegos,</b> <b>as these recent TSA takeover</b> <b>has sparked community concerns,</b> <b>how will you use your</b> <b>mayoral platform to support</b> <b>parents, students and teachers</b> <b>during this challenging period,</b> <b>even though you lack</b> <b>direct control over</b> <b>the school district?</b> <b>Exactly.</b> <b>Unfortunately, the mayor of</b> <b>the city of Houston does not</b> <b>have control over HISD</b> <b>and we do have other</b> <b>school districts within our</b> <b>city boundaries as well.</b> <b>But as a next mayor, what I</b> <b>will be doing is being a voice.</b> <b>Again, 62% of the</b> <b>population is Hispanic.</b> <b>So I want to make sure that the</b> <b>the superintendent and the D.A.</b> <b>provide good quality</b> <b>education for all</b> <b>Houstonians and their kids.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Christie, I.</b> <b>Have a reputation</b> <b>of bringing people together.</b> <b>And yes, we don't direct</b> <b>directly affect HISD, but we</b> <b>can do everything in the world</b> <b>to help these children</b> <b>get a good education.</b> <b>Of course, some of my previous</b> <b>officers dealt with that.</b> <b>So behind the scenes</b> <b>I went to all the hearings.</b> <b>I had the commissioner</b> <b>on the line,</b> <b>I had the city leaders.</b> <b>I was trying to</b> <b>bring them together.</b> <b>This can help the troubled</b> <b>schools in Houston, but one</b> <b>party would not show up.</b> <b>But I tried my best.</b> <b>Any other rebuttals, Mr. Garcia?</b> <b>We are where we</b> <b>are now, Houston.</b> <b>Even though Austin has</b> <b>been talking about taking</b> <b>over HISD for many years.</b> <b>Ultimately, I would meet with</b> <b>the superintendent immediately.</b> <b>I would want to know</b> <b>exactly what does</b> <b>success look like to him?</b> <b>Is it lower truancy?</b> <b>Is it better test scores?</b> <b>Is it a bigger enrollment</b> <b>at the end of the day?</b> <b>I want to know now</b> <b>what does success look like?</b> <b>I want to help him</b> <b>get there right away.</b> <b>So we can get</b> <b>local control back.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Anyone?</b> <b>Yes, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>I actually wrote my thesis</b> <b>on HISD a long time ago.</b> <b>The problems are the same,</b> <b>and we are dreaming</b> <b>if we think the city</b> <b>will get the legislature</b> <b>to do the right thing,</b> <b>only the private sector</b> <b>will make a difference.</b> <b>And so somebody needs to go</b> <b>to the Conoco Phillips is</b> <b>at ExxonMobil's of the world</b> <b>and the smaller</b> <b>employers, the people who</b> <b>contribute to the office</b> <b>holders in Austin</b> <b>and tell them to knock it off</b> <b>because they are screwing</b> <b>the city of Houston.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>Yes, Senator.</b> <b>You delegation voted</b> <b>for this process.</b> <b>All but two members did because</b> <b>we were concerned about HISD.</b> <b>How HISD goes is how</b> <b>Houston will go.</b> <b>I've met with Mr. Miles.</b> <b>I've explained to him</b> <b>I don't like his style</b> <b>that we want him out of here</b> <b>as quickly as possible.</b> <b>But I also understand</b> <b>this is about the kids.</b> <b>We had very</b> <b>under-performing schools.</b> <b>We had the FBI going</b> <b>in, the administration</b> <b>building on a regular basis.</b> <b>We needed changes.</b> <b>But I've met with Mr. Miles</b> <b>on a Saturday morning.</b> <b>I didn't put out a press</b> <b>release.

I didn't protest.</b> <b>I sat down and told him what he</b> <b>needs to do and get out of here.</b> <b>Thank you, gentlemen.</b> <b>Because we are short on</b> <b>time, we will move to</b> <b>Lightning Rounds, where</b> <b>you will each have 10 seconds</b> <b>to answer rapid fire questions.</b> <b>And for this,</b> <b>we will start from the right,</b> <b>from the senator,</b> <b>and move to the left.</b> <b>So, panel, please</b> <b>start with your first</b> <b>lightning round question.</b> <b>Do vouchers have a place in</b> <b>Houston educational landscape?</b> <b>No, I voted against</b> <b>it last week.</b> <b>I'll speak against it</b> <b>next week on the Senate floor.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator.</b> <b>Mr.

Kaplan.</b> <b>No, no, no.</b> <b>First question.</b> <b>George W Bush asked me</b> <b>as chairman of the State Board,</b> <b>I was for an experimental</b> <b>program program,</b> <b>not a blanket voucher program.</b> <b>Panel.</b> <b>Second Lightning Round question.</b> <b>Do you support raising</b> <b>the city's revenue cap?</b> <b>I don't think we can.

Yes.</b> <b>Yes.

Mr..

When public safety.</b> <b>I would ask for an exception.</b> <b>I think the law allows it.</b> <b>Now, why We haven't done it</b> <b>for the last seven years.</b> <b>I don't understand.</b> <b>You can't ask.</b> <b>It's a ten second one.</b> <b>I can't talk.

No, no.</b> <b>Until we do a good scrub.</b> <b>All right, Mr. Kaplan?</b> <b>Yes.

For public safety?</b> <b>No.

For other things.</b> <b>Now?

Yeah.</b> <b>No, I would not.</b> <b>I would put it back</b> <b>on the ballot.

Would</b> <b>be up to the voters.</b> <b>Exception being</b> <b>public safety.

Yes.</b> <b>Let's go to our third lightning</b> <b>round question.</b> <b>What's your top priority for</b> <b>your first 100 days as mayor?</b> <b>Bringing people together?</b> <b>Unfortunately, this campaign,</b> <b>the way some are running it</b> <b>or dividing the city.</b> <b>I think we have to make certain</b> <b>that we have</b> <b>everyone be involved</b> <b>in city government.</b> <b>Mr.

Kaplan.</b> <b>Crime.</b> <b>Mr.

Garcia.

We've</b> <b>got to address crime.</b> <b>We've got to work</b> <b>with the firefighters.</b> <b>Those are my two top issues.</b> <b>All right.

Crime</b> <b>and.

Infrastructure.</b> <b>And Mr.</b> <b>Christie, the.

City was divided</b> <b>since COVID.</b> <b>Bringing people back together.</b> <b>If I can bring TEA </b> <b>and the city back together,</b> <b>I can bring the city</b> <b>and the county together</b> <b>for the first time.</b> <b>If I can get Sheila Jackson</b> <b>Lee to hug Senator.</b> <b>Senator Cruz, thank</b> <b>you.

I can bring.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>Now, with the questions portion</b> <b>of the debate concluded,</b> <b>we invite each candidate to</b> <b>make 45 second closing remarks</b> <b>and we will start in the reverse</b> <b>order from the opening remarks,</b> <b>which means Senator</b> <b>Whitmire has the floor.</b> <b>Thank you.</b> <b>I'm very proud of my record</b> <b>as a state senator.</b> <b>Constituent</b> <b>service is our highest priority.</b> <b>I created two Sports</b> <b>Authority, which created</b> <b>so many jobs and protected</b> <b>our sports venues, passed</b> <b>the Sandra Bland Act, which</b> <b>deals with mental health.</b> <b>When you have contact</b> <b>with law enforcement, pass</b> <b>hate crimes legislation and</b> <b>hold people accountable.</b> <b>So I have a record</b> <b>of accomplishment,</b> <b>and that's why Houstonians</b> <b>and reached out to me.</b> <b>As has been mentioned.</b> <b>I have worked with nine mayors.</b> <b>I've seen their best</b> <b>practices and some I've</b> <b>seen their worst practices.</b> <b>I've worked with</b> <b>seven governors.</b> <b>We have to have someone</b> <b>that can bring all the</b> <b>communities together</b> <b>to make a difference.</b> <b>Certainly, public safety</b> <b>will be my highest priority.</b> <b>But before we can address</b> <b>most of the issues</b> <b>we've talked about today,</b> <b>we've got to include everyone.</b> <b>We've got to be inclusive</b> <b>of our neighborhood.</b> <b>Thank you, Senator Lee Kaplan.</b> <b>Look, most of you don't know me.</b> <b>I've been on the couch</b> <b>before watching candidates</b> <b>trying to figure out who</b> <b>would do the best for Houston.</b> <b>So if you don't know me, think</b> <b>about the people who do know me.</b> <b>The ones who know that my</b> <b>business has been rated</b> <b>one of the best places to work</b> <b>in Houston through scouting,</b> <b>where I have mentored young men</b> <b>for many years, decades</b> <b>through my opponents in business</b> <b>disputes, where we have</b> <b>fought a lot and they</b> <b>have ended up my friends.</b> <b>I have 2400 plus</b> <b>individual contributors,</b> <b>not PACs, not lobbyists,</b> <b>because I have contacted</b> <b>them and they have shown</b> <b>their confidence in me.</b> <b>I am not beholden to anyone</b> <b>and not a fan of lobbyists.</b> <b>Thank you.

Mr. Kaplan.</b> <b>Gilbert Garcia.

Houston.</b> <b>If you're like me,</b> <b>you're frustrated.</b> <b>And we've seen in the polls</b> <b>where you think that Houston is</b> <b>headed in the wrong direction.</b> <b>It's time for</b> <b>something different.</b> <b>It's time for a change.</b> <b>It's time to get away from</b> <b>the career politicians.</b> <b>But if you think Houston</b> <b>is working for you, then</b> <b>I'm not your candidate.</b> <b>But if you're looking</b> <b>for someone that's not</b> <b>beholden to anybody,</b> <b>I have no conflicts of interest.</b> <b>My firm and I derive no</b> <b>revenue, no income from</b> <b>the city of Houston,</b> <b>any of the Houston pension</b> <b>funds into the entities,</b> <b>the Port metro, you name it.</b> <b>No conflicts of interest, which</b> <b>makes me uniquely qualified</b> <b>to make the tough calls.</b> <b>So if you're looking</b> <b>for someone that's going</b> <b>to shake up city hall</b> <b>that's Gilbert Garcia</b> <b>Garcia for Houston dot com.</b> <b>I'm asking for your vote.</b> <b>Thank you, Mr. Garcia.</b> <b>Council member Robert Gallegos.</b> <b>Out of all the candidates,</b> <b>once again, I'm the one</b> <b>with the experience.</b> <b>We have a strong mayor</b> <b>form of government.</b> <b>I've been a district</b> <b>council member, so I</b> <b>have limited authority.</b> <b>But I have worked</b> <b>with two mayors</b> <b>and I'm proud of what</b> <b>we've been able to accomplish,</b> <b>not for just District DI,</b> <b>but for the city of Houston.</b> <b>You can go to vote</b> <b>Robin Gallegos dot com.</b> <b>Many of my opponents are sending</b> <b>nice mailers.</b> <b>They're having TV</b> <b>commercials claiming</b> <b>they're going to put a lot</b> <b>of police officers on</b> <b>the street claiming</b> <b>they're going to pick up the</b> <b>illegal dumping, claiming</b> <b>they're going to fix</b> <b>all these leaks that</b> <b>we have over 500 leaks</b> <b>in the city of Houston.</b> <b>Question is, is how they're</b> <b>going to pay for it?</b> <b>We will been operating again</b> <b>on thin ice with ARPA</b> <b>funding, but that ARPA</b> <b>funding is about to run out.</b> <b>So we're going to have</b> <b>to have a mayor ready to</b> <b>start operating our city</b> <b>and making sure that we</b> <b>start leading our city</b> <b>in the right direction.</b> <b>And I'm that person</b> <b>and I'm asking for your vote.</b> <b>Vote Robert Gallegos for Mayor.</b> <b>Thank you, Councilman.</b> <b>Mr.

Jack Christie.</b> <b>I briefly mentioned</b> <b>my health, education</b> <b>and welfare of the</b> <b>taxpayer health.</b> <b>Mayor Parker put me on</b> <b>the Medical Advisory</b> <b>board $17 million in debt.</b> <b>By the time I left.</b> <b>Eight years later,</b> <b>it was $26 million in the bank</b> <b>for the city employees</b> <b>to be healthy.</b> <b>I taught them prevention,</b> <b>education, you</b> <b>know, my background.</b> <b>And I've helped the public</b> <b>schools, even though I'm</b> <b>a product of parochial</b> <b>and public schools and then</b> <b>the welfare of the taxpayer.</b> <b>It's simple.</b> <b>You can't spend</b> <b>more than you got.</b> <b>The taxpayer doesn't</b> <b>need to raise.</b> <b>We don't need to raise taxes.</b> <b>We need to spend properly.</b> <b>And if it's a hiring</b> <b>freeze, if it's cutting</b> <b>budgets, I will get it done.</b> <b>I'm known for that.</b> <b>I appreciate it.

Thank</b> <b>you, Mr. Christie.</b> <b>Thank you to all of our</b> <b>candidates for taking part</b> <b>in this debate tonight.</b> <b>Early voting begins on Monday</b> <b>and Election Day is November</b> <b>7th for you</b> <b>to exercise your right to vote.</b> <b>I would like to thank our panel.</b> <b>Houston Public Media</b> <b>senior political reporter</b> <b>Andrew Schneider,</b> <b>Univision 45, news</b> <b>anchor Marcella Perez</b> <b>Barros, and the Cougar</b> <b>editor in chief John Lomax on</b> <b>behalf of Houston Public Media</b> <b>and Univision and the</b> <b>University of Houston Hobby</b> <b>School of Public Affairs.</b> <b>I'm Christina Yao Lee.</b> <b>Thank you for joining us.</b>