Each candidate agreed that Houston police officers should not be used to enforce immigration laws, that more police officers need to be trained to replace an aging force, that street construction is hampered by a cumbersome capital improvements program, and that the city should support a job training project for low-income and underemployed adults developed by one of TMO's sister organizations in Austin.
Locke said the training program, which will require $1 million in city funds in its initial phase, would be a priority in his administration.
“Even in hard times, you have to invest in yourself,” Locke said. “It is part of our civic responsibility.”
Parker said she supported the Capital IDEA program but would not commit to it unless she knows the money is available to pay for it.
“It's a great program and would be excellent for the city of Houston,” Parker said at the event held at Trinity United Metropolitan Church in the Third Ward. “But I can't say now that we would be able to fund it for its full cycle.”Here we go again. Locke is promising a new expensive program to a group that wants to hear him make that promise, without saying how he'll find the money in a very depleted City budget. Parker, as usual, tells the group the truth - your program is important and is needed, but I can't promise there is money in the budget.
I've heard Locke make promises like this at numerous candidate forums, with my reaction always being the same - with what money?? (And, why are you pandering?)
Also, someone should warn TMO that when Locke says he'll make something a priority, he doesn't necessarily mean it. Ask HGLBT or the Houston Young Stonewall Dems - Locke will tell you to your face that he will be very visible in promoting your priorities, but he'll turn around and throw you under the bus at the first political opportunity.
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