The Broze For Mayor 2023 Agenda:
Derrick Broze has spent the last 13 years working as an activist, journalist, and radio show host in Houston. As an activist he experienced firsthand the limitations of the Houston City Council and the absolute power of the Mayor’s Office. His experience as a journalist and activist has proven that average Houstonians are not being considered or consulted when it comes to business at City Hall.
Now, Derrick is entering the 2023 race for Mayor of Houston.
Derrick Broze is the only Mayoral candidate who wants to give away the power of the Mayor of Houston and amplify the voices of Houstonians. In 2019, Derrick ran for Mayor focused on changing the City Charter to reduce the power of the Mayor and empower City Council. Now, that issue will be on the ballot in 2023 and Derrick is once again the only candidate calling for ensuring the power of the Mayor is limited in the interest of the people of Houston.
As Mayor Derrick will also focus on eliminating financially wasteful programs. From there, he will give Houstonians a chance to vote whether they want THEIR money back, or if the funds should be repurposed under our various solutions programs listed below.
Campaign Goals
EXPOSE CORRUPTION IN CITY HALL
It’s Time To Take Away The Power Of The Mayor
Currently the City of Houston is what is known as a “Strong Mayor” city. This gives the Mayor of Houston an immense amount of power over city affairs. For example, the Mayor of Houston has the power to decide what issues make it on the official City Council Agenda. This allows the Mayor to dictate what issues will be discussed and voted on.
Ideally, amending the City Charter to take away the Mayor’s power would incentivize City Council members to listen to the concerns of their constituents and bring those issues to discussion at council meetings. The goal of this amendment is to turn the Mayor’s power back to the council and further empower the people of Houston.
In 2019, Derrick was the only candidate calling for taking away the power of the Mayor, and he is doing so again to make sure Houstonians have a voice in City Hall.
Solution:
If elected, I will change the City Charter and transform the Mayoral position from one with near control of the City Council agenda, to a position that is equal to City Council members. The Charter change will also make it so any issue which has the support of one third of City Council will be placed on the agenda for debate and potential vote. From there, I will focus on removing roadblocks that stand in the way of a successful Houston.
Derrick Will Defend the Civil Liberties of All Houstonians.
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it should be obvious to any critically thinking person that censorship is on the rise. I have personally experienced this online as a journalist and an activist. Between attacks on press freedom from the U.S. government and censorship from social media/tech companies with close connection to that same government, freedom of speech and the right to self-ownership is under attack. Whether we are talking about invasive search and seizure of Americans laptops and phones while traveling, or abuses of political power on the federal, state, and local level, it is clear that the civil liberties owed to every free human being are not being respected by institutions of power.
Solution:
As Mayor, I would always stand in defense of freedom of speech and civil liberties. No individual, group, or government should be allowed to violate the liberties of another person in our city. I will actively defend all Houstonians right to speak their truth and live their life as they choose so long as they are not initiating force, violence, or coercion on another person.
It’s Time To Address Houston’s Growing Houseless Problem
In 2012, former Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council passed an ordinance which made it illegal to share food with more than 5 people without permission from the property owner. This “anti-food sharing” ordinance (Chapter 20-19 of the Houston Code of Ordinances) was opposed by a massive coalition of organizations across Houston with more than 100,000 Houstonians signing petitions to overturn the ordinance. Parker ignored Houstonians and Mayor Turner has continued the agenda by passing additional anti-homeless laws.
Solution:
As Mayor, I will overturn the food sharing ordinance and step out of the way of groups like Food Not Bombs Houston who seek to support the growing number of Houstonians who find themselves without a home or a job. The homeless population has grown in Houston, but criminalizing this population simply for being without a home or in need of support is not the answer. I want to work with homeless advocates and directly with those living on the streets to find solutions.
Together We Can Protect Houston From Medical Tyranny.
From 2020-2022, Houston’s current Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Health Department enacted unscientific policies, calling for masking, injections for children, and the use of the flawed PCR method. Additionally, Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo push stay-at-home orders. Finally, Turner forced employees of the City of Houston to be receive the COVID19 injection or be tested bi-weekly.
Derrick is the only candidate in Houston’s Mayoral race who exposed the various flaws and lies in Houston’s COVID19 response during 2020-2022. As a journalist, Broze questioned Houston Health Department Director Dr. David Persse about the use of the flawed PCR test, the insanity of giving children the COVID19 jabs, and much more.
SOLUTION:
As Mayor I will defend bodily autonomy by passing an ordinance to ensure that future Mayors can never mandate medical interventions for Houstonians, city employees or otherwise.
Use Permaculture to Reduce Flooding in Houston
Flooding is a perennial issue in the city of Houston. Every administration seems to face a hurricane disaster yet the lessons do not appear to be taken to heart. Houston needs a new vision to address the ever present flooding problems.
Solution:
Under our Regenerate Houston plan, I will work with local Permaculture groups, native plant associations, and food forest proponents to plant native plants and industrial hemp along the bayous and waterways to help reduce flooding and erosion.
I will also promote community programs for cleaning out the bayous to remove the waste from Houston’s waterways.
Protect the Environment and Encourage Local Food Production
Houston is a beautiful city filled with vacant lots that often end up as a dumping ground for trash and waste. Houston has a growing homeless population and thousands of Houstonians living in “food deserts” or living in “food insecure” regions. Additionally, while Houston has a growing number of farmers markets and community gardens, the city could do more to encourage this activity.
Permaculture is key to a truly regenerative future.
Solution:
- If elected, I would identify all vacant lots owned by the City of Houston and turn them over to interested neighborhoods and communities for the purpose of building urban farms, food forests, and community gardens. Houston should take steps to become a “Food Oasis”. To do this we must decentralize and localize food production so Houstonians are not dependent on food being shipped from thousands of miles away.
- I would encourage the reallocation of resources away from water fluoridation ($5 million) towards the creation of Non-GMO seed distribution programs.
- Finally, I would encourage the creation of community run programs that offer homeless or jobless Houstonians the opportunity to obtain organic produce and gardening related employment opportunities.
Protect Houston’s Children by Ending Water Fluoridation.
Like most major cities in the United States, Houston has been adding fluoride to the municipal water supply for more than 40 years. While the public has been told that this practice of water fluoridation is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century.
However, dozens of studies over the last decades have shown that fluoride is actually a toxin that can negatively impact health, particularly the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and bones.
As of 2023, the U.S. government’s National Toxicology Program has acknowledged that exposure to fluoride can reduce IQ in children.
Solution:
As Mayor, I would immediately end Houston’s contract with Mosaic Co. and end the practice of water fluoridation.
Additionally, under the Regenerate Houston plan we would give Houstonians an opportunity to decide if they want the money from the contract to go back in their pockets, or reallocate the funds towards the creation of seed distribution programs and funding forests.
Your Privacy Matters
Over the last decade, the City of Houston and the Houston Police Department have installed thousands of surveillance cameras in and around the downtown Houston area. In addition, the HPD has partnered with the Harris Corporation to use so-callled “Stingrays”, devices with the capability of gathering data from innocent Houstonians’ cell phones. The City of Houston recently signed a $3.5 million, 5 year contract with ShotSpotter despite cities like Chicago finding the technology does not reduce crime. HPD also operates a “Real Time Crime Center”, a command center where Houston Police can continuously monitor cameras and feeds from around the City.
Altogether, this surveillance apparatus represents an extremely grave threat to the privacy of Houstonians. It is also another area where the people of Houston have not had an opportunity to voice their support or opposition for such programs.
Solution:
If elected to Mayor, I initiate a review of all surveillance tools currently used by the Houston Police Department.
I will call for these programs to be placed on the ballot and let the people of Houston decide whether or not they want to continue to fund this invasive technology.
No Knock Raids Endanger the Police and Houstonians.
On January 28, 2019, Houston Police Department narcotics officers conducted a no-knock raid on the home of Dennis Tuttle and his wife Rhogena Nicholas at 7815 Harding Street after allegedly receiving reports that the couple was involved in selling black tar heroin. We now know the warrant approved by a municipal court judge contained false information about an informant that didn’t exist.
In other words, at least one of the officer lied about what was happening at the house off Harding street. Even further, new independent forensic reports allege that HPD lied about who shot first. The officers also claimed the family dog attacked them as soon as they entered the door. The forensic report indicates that claim is lie. The apparent lies led to a gun battle that killed both Nicholas, Tuttle, and their dog dead, as well as four officers wounded.
Shortly after the shooting, HPD Chief Art Acevedo announced that future no-knock warrants would only be carried out after approval from top police authorities, a signature from a district court judge, and with support from experienced SWAT teams.
These raids are dangerous to the homeowners and the police officers. At least one court has ruled no-knock raids to be unconstitutional. Additionally, there are no statistics released to the public regarding the results of no-knock warrants and any injuries that take place. The injuries and deaths that resulted from the most recent Houston no-knock raid are also another disastrous result of the War on Drugs.
The reality is that any Houstonian who lives in area of crime or is simply not expecting a guest, would likely do whatever is necessary to protect their home and their family from unidentified intruders. The Houston Police Department did not announce themselves to the couple. If the couple did actually shoot at the officers – as HPD claims – they did so in self-defense.
Solution:
If elected Mayor, I will call for an end of no-knock raids throughout Houston City limits by instructing the Chief of Police to end all no-knock warrants. I will also call on the Houston Police Department to produce all records related to No-Knock warrants.
The Houston Police Department can only be cleansed by rooting out corruption and the culture of covering up mistakes from the police department. I will call for initiating a new platform for regular dialogue between the Houston Police Department and the neighborhoods they patrol.
“Smart City” Technology Is Not the Answer to Houston’s Problems
Under the guidance of current Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston has made strides to becoming a “Smart City”, defined as “a technologically modern urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect specific data“. Mayor Turner promotes a vision of a more sustainable city with driverless vehicles, AI and robot assistants, and data collection to gather data about the environment. To this end, Mayor Turner has partnered with Microsoft, Verizon, and other Big Tech and Big Wireless companies focused on implementing “Smart” technology to bring this vision to life.
Unfortunately, the move towards a “Smart City” will also be the end of privacy for Houstonians. In order to build this vision, Houston must install 5g towers everywhere, as well as sensors which gather all kinds of private information from Houstonians.
When combined with the current surveillance tools being used by the HPD this would be the end of privacy for Houstonians.
Solution:
If elected to Mayor, I will initiate a review of all surveillance tools currently used by the Houston Police Department.
I will call for these programs to be placed on the ballot and let the people of Houston decide whether or not they want to continue to fund this invasive technology.
The People of Houston Will Decide the Future of 5G Networks
The 5th Generation, or 5g, Cellular technology roll out is currently taking place around the United States and around the world. Houston was one of the fist city’s to receive Verizon’s 5g service after Mayor Sylvester Turner partnered with the telecom corporation. Mayor Turner was also awarded the “5g Wireless Champion Award” by the CTIA, the telecom/wireless lobby. Mayor Turner has created a “Smart City” Council to help enact his vision of turning Houston into a Smart Grid City running on 5g technology and the so-called “Internet of Things”. Turner promises that this technology will make Houston a safer, cleaner, more efficient city.
However, a growing number of scientists, health professionals, journalists, activists, and political leaders are raising questions regarding the potential health and privacy concerns related to 5g. Despite concerned Houstonians bringing these issues to the attention of the Mayor and City Council, nothing has been done.
Solution:
- If elected, I will issue a moratorium on 5g until the people of Houston have a chance to express their concerns as part of a public comment period.
- I will also call for an environmental impact assessment and an independent study on 5g’s impact on Houstonians health.
- I will call for a vote to allow the people of Houston to decide whether or not they want to live in a Smart City.
Let’s Talk About Houston’s Animal Welfare Issues.
As a vegan, animal lover and someone who has rescued more than a few animals, Derrick understands the importance of Houston’s animal shelters. Currently, Houston has a growing population of stray animals who can be both a danger to Houstonians, and are often in danger of being run over by vehicles.
The City of Houston has attempted to deal with Houston’s animal issues by using the force of government to pass laws requiring microchipping of animals. It’s clear that Houston’s current animal welfare policies are failing one of Houston’s most vulnerable populations. It’s time to change that.
Solution:
My campaign is built on amplifying the voices of Houstonians and we can’t forget to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. And that means standing up for Houston’s animals. For me this also means being a vegan. As Mayor, I will continue to work with animal rights and vegan activists to help make Houston a friendlier place for all life.
- I believe we need to extend the hours of the BARC facilities to help Houstonians have additional opportunities to turn in a stray, donate, visit, or volunteer with BARC.
- Houston needs to increase communication between private organizations working on animal adoption. We need a closer relationship with Houstonians who are out in the streets everyday rescuing animals. Together the City of Houston and animal advocates can increase adoption and decrease animal deaths.
- I support the efforts of local animal advocates and groups who work to increase the presence of no-kill animal shelters in Houston. As Mayor I would work with council to provide additional funding for no-kill shelters and end all taxpayer dollars which are going to kill shelters.
- I would support the creation of a specific animal advocacy citizen review board which gives Houstonians a voice at the table. This would allow for animal issues to be communicated directly to the council and Mayor.
- As Mayor I would support working with non-profits and the private sector to increase education about plant-based diets. To be clear, Houston taxpayers would not pay for educational events about plant-based diets. Rather, I would work with vegan and animal rights organizations to host public events to further educate Houstonians about the benefits of a plant based diet.
The People
Amend the City Charter
It’s Time To Take Away The Power Of The Mayor
Currently the City of Houston is what is known as a “Strong Mayor” city. This gives the Mayor of Houston an immense amount of power over city affairs. For example, the Mayor of Houston has the power to decide what issues make it on the official City Council Agenda. This allows the Mayor to dictate what issues will be discussed and voted on.
Ideally, amending the City Charter to take away the Mayor’s power would incentivize City Council members to listen to the concerns of their constituents and bring those issues to discussion at council meetings. The goal of this amendment is to turn the Mayor’s power back to the council and further empower the people of Houston.
In 2019, Derrick was the only candidate calling for taking away the power of the Mayor, and he is doing so again to make sure Houstonians have a voice in City Hall.
Solution:
If elected, I will change the City Charter and transform the Mayoral position from one with near control of the City Council agenda, to a position that is equal to City Council members. The Charter change will also make it so any issue which has the support of one third of City Council will be placed on the agenda for debate and potential vote. From there, I will focus on removing roadblocks that stand in the way of a successful Houston.
Protect Freedom of Speech & Civil Liberties
Derrick Will Defend the Civil Liberties of All Houstonians.
No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it should be obvious to any critically thinking person that censorship is on the rise. I have personally experienced this online as a journalist and an activist. Between attacks on press freedom from the U.S. government and censorship from social media/tech companies with close connection to that same government, freedom of speech and the right to self-ownership is under attack. Whether we are talking about invasive search and seizure of Americans laptops and phones while traveling, or abuses of political power on the federal, state, and local level, it is clear that the civil liberties owed to every free human being are not being respected by institutions of power.
Solution:
As Mayor, I would always stand in defense of freedom of speech and civil liberties. No individual, group, or government should be allowed to violate the liberties of another person in our city. I will actively defend all Houstonians right to speak their truth and live their life as they choose so long as they are not initiating force, violence, or coercion on another person.
Overturn the City's Anti-Food Sharing Ordinance
It’s Time To Address Houston’s Growing Houseless Problem
In 2012, former Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council passed an ordinance which made it illegal to share food with more than 5 people without permission from the property owner. This “anti-food sharing” ordinance (Chapter 20-19 of the Houston Code of Ordinances) was opposed by a massive coalition of organizations across Houston with more than 100,000 Houstonians signing petitions to overturn the ordinance. Parker ignored Houstonians and Mayor Turner has continued the agenda by passing additional anti-homeless laws.
Solution:
As Mayor, I will overturn the food sharing ordinance and step out of the way of groups like Food Not Bombs Houston who seek to support the growing number of Houstonians who find themselves without a home or a job. The homeless population has grown in Houston, but criminalizing this population simply for being without a home or in need of support is not the answer. I want to work with homeless advocates and directly with those living on the streets to find solutions.
Covid-19 & Health Freedom
Defend Health Freedom
From 2020-2022, Houston’s current Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Health Department enacted unscientific policies, calling for masking, injections for children, and the use of the flawed PCR method. Additionally, Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo push stay-at-home orders. Finally, Turner forced employees of the City of Houston to be receive the COVID19 injection or be tested bi-weekly.
Derrick is the only candidate in Houston’s Mayoral race who exposed the various flaws and lies in Houston’s COVID19 response during 2020-2022. As a journalist, Broze questioned Houston Health Department Director Dr. David Persse about the use of the flawed PCR test, the insanity of giving children the COVID19 jabs, and much more.
SOLUTION:
As Mayor I will defend bodily autonomy by passing an ordinance to ensure that future Mayors can never mandate medical interventions for Houstonians, city employees or otherwise.
Environment
Regenerate Houston
Protect the Environment and Encourage Local Food Production
Houston is a beautiful city filled with vacant lots that often end up as a dumping ground for trash and waste. Houston has a growing homeless population and thousands of Houstonians living in “food deserts” or living in “food insecure” regions. Additionally, while Houston has a growing number of farmers markets and community gardens, the city could do more to encourage this activity.
Permaculture is key to a truly regenerative future.
Solution:
1. If elected, I would identify all vacant lots owned by the City of Houston and turn them over to interested neighborhoods and communities for the purpose of building urban farms, food forests, and community gardens. Houston should take steps to become a “Food Oasis”. To do this we must decentralize and localize food production so Houstonians are not dependent on food being shipped from thousands of miles away.
2. I would encourage the reallocation of resources away from water fluoridation ($5 million) towards the creation of Non-GMO seed distribution programs.
3. Finally, I would encourage the creation of community run programs that offer homeless or jobless Houstonians the opportunity to obtain organic produce and gardening related employment opportunities.
Flood Mitigation
Use Permaculture to Reduce Flooding in Houston
Flooding is a perennial issue in the city of Houston. Every administration seems to face a hurricane disaster yet the lessons do not appear to be taken to heart. Houston needs a new vision to address the ever present flooding problems.
Solution:
Under our Regenerate Houston plan, I will work with local permaculture groups, native plant associations, and food forest proponents to plant native plants and industrial hemp along the bayous and waterways to help reduce flooding and erosion.
I will also promote community programs for cleaning out the bayous to remove the waste from Houston’s waterways.
End Water Flouridation
Protect Houston’s Children by Ending Water Fluoridation.
Like most major cities in the United States, Houston has been adding fluoride to the municipal water supply for more than 40 years. While the public has been told that this practice of water fluoridation is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century.
However, dozens of studies over the last decades have shown that fluoride is actually a toxin that can negatively impact health, particularly the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and bones.
As of 2023, the U.S. government’s National Toxicology Program has acknowledged that exposure to fluoride can reduce IQ in children.
Solution:
As Mayor, I would immediately end Houston’s contract with Mosaic Co. and end the practice of water fluoridation.
Additionally, under the Regenerate Houston plan we would give Houstonians an opportunity to decide if they want the money from the contract to go back in their pockets, or reallocate the funds towards the creation of seed distribution programs and funding forests.
Police & Privacy
End the Surveillance State in Houston
Your Privacy Matters
Over the last decade, the City of Houston and the Houston Police Department have installed thousands of surveillance cameras in and around the downtown Houston area. In addition, the HPD has partnered with the Harris Corporation to use so-callled “Stingrays”, devices with the capability of gathering data from innocent Houstonians’ cell phones. HPD is also using dangerous and privacy violating “gun shot detectors” from Spot Shotter. HPD also operates a “Real Time Crime Center”, a command center where Houston Police can continuously monitor cameras and feeds from around the City.
Altogether, this surveillance apparatus represents an extremely grave threat to the privacy of Houstonians. It is also another area where the people of Houston have not had an opportunity to voice their support or opposition for such programs.
Solution:
If elected to Mayor, I initiate a review of all surveillance tools currently used by the Houston Police Department.
I will call for these programs to be placed on the ballot and let the people of Houston decide whether or not they want to continue to fund this invasive technology.
End "No Knock Raids"
No Knock Raids Endanger the Police and Houstonians.
On January 28, 2019, Houston Police Department narcotics officers conducted a no-knock raid on the home of Dennis Tuttle and his wife Rhogena Nicholas at 7815 Harding Street after allegedly receiving reports that the couple was involved in selling black tar heroin. We now know the warrant approved by a municipal court judge contained false information about an informant that didn’t exist.
In other words, at least one of the officer lied about what was happening at the house off Harding street. Even further, new independent forensic reports allege that HPD lied about who shot first. The officers also claimed the family dog attacked them as soon as they entered the door. The forensic report indicates that claim is lie. The apparent lies led to a gun battle that killed both Nicholas, Tuttle, and their dog dead, as well as four officers wounded.
Shortly after the shooting, HPD Chief Art Acevedo announced that future no-knock warrants would only be carried out after approval from top police authorities, a signature from a district court judge, and with support from experienced SWAT teams.
These raids are dangerous to the homeowners and the police officers. At least one court has ruled no-knock raids to be unconstitutional. Additionally, there are no statistics released to the public regarding the results of no-knock warrants and any injuries that take place. The injuries and deaths that resulted from the most recent Houston no-knock raid are also another disastrous result of the War on Drugs.
The reality is that any Houstonian who lives in area of crime or is simply not expecting a guest, would likely do whatever is necessary to protect their home and their family from unidentified intruders. The Houston Police Department did not announce themselves to the couple. If the couple did actually shoot at the officers – as HPD claims – they did so in self-defense.
Solution:
If elected Mayor, I will call for an end of no-knock raids throughout Houston City limits by instructing the Chief of Police to end all no-knock warrants. I will also call on the Houston Police Department to produce all records related to No-Knock warrants.
The Houston Police Department can only be cleansed by rooting out corruption and the culture of covering up mistakes from the police department. I will call for initiating a new platform for regular dialogue between the Houston Police Department and the neighborhoods they patrol.
Technology
Stop "Smart City" Plans
“Smart City” Technology Is Not the Answer to Houston’s Problems
Under the guidance of current Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston has made strides to becoming a “Smart City”, defined as “a technologically modern urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect specific data“. Mayor Turner promotes a vision of a more sustainable city with driverless vehicles, AI and robot assistants, and data collection to gather data about the environment. To this end, Mayor Turner has partnered with Microsoft, Verizon, and other Big Tech and Big Wireless companies focused on implementing “Smart” technology to bring this vision to life.
Unfortunately, the move towards a “Smart City” will also be the end of privacy for Houstonians. In order to build this vision, Houston must install 5g towers everywhere, as well as sensors which gather all kinds of private information from Houstonians.
When combined with the current surveillance tools being used by the HPD this would be the end of privacy for Houstonians.
Solution:
If elected to Mayor, I will initiate a review of all surveillance tools currently used by the Houston Police Department.
I will call for these programs to be placed on the ballot and let the people of Houston decide whether or not they want to continue to fund this invasive technology.
Moratorium on 5g Technology
The People of Houston Will Decide the Future of 5G Networks
The 5th Generation, or 5g, Cellular technology roll out is currently taking place around the United States and around the world. Houston was one of the fist city’s to receive Verizon’s 5g service after Mayor Sylvester Turner partnered with the telecom corporation. Mayor Turner was also awarded the “5g Wireless Champion Award” by the CTIA, the telecom/wireless lobby. Mayor Turner has created a “Smart City” Council to help enact his vision of turning Houston into a Smart Grid City running on 5g technology and the so-called “Internet of Things”. Turner promises that this technology will make Houston a safer, cleaner, more efficient city.
However, a growing number of scientists, health professionals, journalists, activists, and political leaders are raising questions regarding the potential health and privacy concerns related to 5g. Despite concerned Houstonians bringing these issues to the attention of the Mayor and City Council, nothing has been done.
Solution:
If elected, I will issue a moratorium on 5g until the people of Houston have a chance to express their concerns as part of a public comment period.
I will also call for an environmental impact assessment and an independent study on 5g’s impact on Houstonians health.
I will call for a vote to allow the people of Houston to decide whether or not they want to live in a Smart City.
Animal Welfare
Support Houston's Animal Population
Play Video
Let’s Talk About Houston’s Animal Welfare Issues.
As a vegan, animal lover and someone who has rescued more than a few animals, Derrick understands the importance of Houston’s animal shelters. Currently, Houston has a growing population of stray animals who can be both a danger to Houstonians, and are often in danger of being run over by vehicles.
The City of Houston has attempted to deal with Houston’s animal issues by using the force of government to pass laws requiring microchipping of animals. It’s clear that Houston’s current animal welfare policies are failing one of Houston’s most vulnerable populations. It’s time to change that.
Solution:
My campaign is built on amplifying the voices of Houstonians and we can’t forget to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. And that means standing up for Houston’s animals. For me this also means being a vegan. As Mayor, I will continue to work with animal rights and vegan activists to help make Houston a friendlier place for all life.
- I believe we need to extend the hours of the BARC facilities to help Houstonians have additional opportunities to turn in a stray, donate, visit, or volunteer with BARC.
- Houston needs to increase communication between private organizations working on animal adoption. We need a closer relationship with Houstonians who are out in the streets everyday rescuing animals. Together the City of Houston and animal advocates can increase adoption and decrease animal deaths.
- I support the efforts of local animal advocates and groups who work to increase the presence of no-kill animal shelters in Houston. As Mayor I would work with council to provide additional funding for no-kill shelters and end all taxpayer dollars which are going to kill shelters.
- I would support the creation of a specific animal advocacy citizen review board which gives Houstonians a voice at the table. This would allow for animal issues to be communicated directly to the council and Mayor.
- As Mayor I would support working with non-profits and the private sector to increase education about plant-based diets. To be clear, Houston taxpayers would not pay for educational events about plant-based diets. Rather, I would work with vegan and animal rights organizations to host public events to further educate Houstonians about the benefits of a plant based diet.