THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR CONGRESS

 

Proven Leadership

The Right Choice for Congress

While on City Council, I brought back a total of $1.9 Billion Dollars to my District for Infrastructure Projects.

Libraries & Parks

• Over $17 Million allocated for Library/Parks projects and renovations
  
  

	Dixon Neighborhood Library-Replacement	$6.3 M
	Fifth Ward Deluxe Theater-Renovation	$6.8 M

• Over $8 Million allocated for Parks Projects in District B
  
  

	Hobart Taylor Park	$1.2 M
	Highland Park	$120,000
	Keith Weiss Park	$2.8 M
	Stuebner Airline Park	$1.6 M
	Squatty Lyons Park	$1.5 M
	Busby Park-Redevelopment	$700,000

Multi-Service Center Renovations

• Over $8 Million
  
  

	Fifth Ward Multi -Service Center	$1 M
	Acres Homes Multi-Service Center	$2.8 M
	Kashmere Multi-Service Center	$4.3 M

Storm Drainage

• Over $24 Million allocated for Storm Drainage projects in District B
  
  

	Drainage repair-Laura Koppe to Crestview	$5 M
	Homestead Road Drainage Improvements	$11.2 M
	Pleasantville drainage improvements	$6.6 M
	Drainage repair-Trinity Gardens
	Lockwood to Homestead	$1.2 M

Water/Waste Water

• Over $30 Million for Water/Waste Water Projects in District B
  
  

	Northside Sewer Relief Tunnel	$30M
	Houston Hope Area Projects	$750,000

District B Abatement Activity

	Buildings Demolished	412
	Weeded Lots Cut	2,024
	JMV Towed	156

Community Projects

• Only Council office with a Senior Coordinator-to-work with seniors on Medicaid Part C and D.
  
  
• Seniors Visit City Hall-Provided transportation for over 350 seniors to visit City Hall and tour Houston’s central business district.
  
  
• Host monthly community conversations with community residents in Fifth Ward, Scenic Woods, Kashmere Gardens and Pleasantville to devise specific plans of action for community improvement.
  
  
• Served over 400 seniors during the Thanksgiving Holiday party.
  
  
• Served over 300 at-risk youth during the annual “Winter Wonderland” Christmas party. Each child was able to partake in a sit-down dinner, Christmas play and receive two gifts.
  
  
• Chaired the Houston International Jazz Festival to raise money for Jazz Education Inc.’s community programs to benefit economically disadvantaged youth-over $60,000 raised.
  
  
• Host over 300 seniors annually for the senior prom “Hawaiian Luau Style”.
  
  

Expanding Business Opportunities

• Hosted annual “Proximity to Opportunity” Business Forum with over 200 Small and Minority/Women certified businesses to discuss contracting opportunities for HAS 1.2 B Terminal B expansion. My efforts resulted in the “unbundling” of large contracts to allow opportunities for Small and Minority/Women owned businesses to go after and secure city contracts.
  
  

Bridging the Digital Divide

• Appropriated 3.5 M for Wireless Empowered Community Access Network (WeCan) Initiative. WeCan will bring wireless internet connectivity and programming to underserved communities in District B.
  
  

Legislative Highlights/Voting Record

• Expanded the boundaries of the 5th Ward TIRZ to stimulate new development and add millions in new revenue increment.
  
  
• Amended Article II of Ch. 44 of the Code of Ordinance to put restrictions on game rooms to monitor illegal gambling.
  
  
• In October of 2008, Council Member Johnson testified before the Senate Committee on State Affairs to change state law to completely ban 8-liners.
  
  
• Amended Ch. 28 of the Code of Ordinances to regulate convenient stores to address public safety issues that cause crime.
  
  
• Restrict trucks over 22 feet long from parking on residential streets over 24 hours.
  
  
• 1.2 B Terminal B Expansion (Bush) creating business opportunities for small businesses.
  
  

Legislative Highlights/Voting Record continued

• Ordinance approving and authorizing settlement agreement to make Clear Channel remove certain billboards in District B and the City of Houston.
  
  
• Created a dedicated Drainage Fund specifically for drainage infrastructure projects.
  
  

Accomplishments

• During this year budget review Council Member Johnson submitted and received council approval on an amendment to allow HPD to appropriate 0.50% of its annual General Fund budget to fund juvenile prevention programs. 0.25% of appropriated funds will be earmarked for programs in apartment complexes and/or city owned facilities in Houston Hope Neighborhoods. HPD will submit quarterly reports to the Human Service and Technology Access Committee to evaluate the effectiveness of each funded program, Council Member Johnson is the Chair of this committee.
  
  
• Council Member Johnson not only drafted a Zero Tolerance Policy for the Houston Fire department he also submitted and received the approval of all Council for an amendment to the City of Houston’s Fiscal Year 2010 proposed General Fund budget for the Fire Department to allocate Cadet Training Funds $60,000, as funds specifically allocated for diversity training.
  
  
• Council Member Johnson submitted and received council approval on an amendment HPD shall appropriate 0.50% of its annual General Fund budget to fund juvenile prevention programs. 0.25% of appropriated funds will be earmarked for programs in apartment complexes and/or city owned facilities in Houston Hope Neighborhoods. The Program shall include, but are not limited to, D.A.R.E. and HPD's Explorers and Mentor Programs. HPD will submit quarterly reports to the Human Service and Technology Access Committee to evaluate the effectiveness of each program.
  
  

Ordinances Proposed

Vacant Abandoned Properties Code Enforcement
Purpose- Proposal of more options for enforcement.

Equal allocation of City of Houston Park revenues
Purpose- To protect parks in socioeconomically depraved areas.

Adjudicated property dollar lots
Purpose- To reduce the amount of weeded and abandoned lots.