Charles Blain - Urban Reform Joins Houston's Morning News

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yeah, wouldn't that be nice? Six twenty three is our
time here in Houston's Morning News. But Lena Hill Dago,
I think maybe into a certain sign of desperation to
leave behind some sort of legacy, even if you have
to pay for her legacy, wants to raise still would
like to raise taxes, even though she told us on Friday,
and by the way she delivered her speech on Friday,

(00:21):
I think I said today, that's my mistake. She delivered
that on Friday, even though she said on Friday she
rents because she can't afford the property taxes in Harris County.
Charles Blaine joins US urban reform. Where's the disconnect there, Charles,
that you want to raise taxes on everybody in Harris County,
but you don't own a home. You rent because you

(00:43):
can't afford to pay the property taxes.

Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yeah, good morning, you're being thanks for having me, and exactly.
I think that is just kind of representative of her
entire time as county judge, that she just is completely
removed and disconnected from the policies as she's supported. I
kind of was just dumbfounded when I watched it and
she said that, she said, yeah, you know, I can't
afford to buy a home, so I read, But then
in the next breath encouraged everyone to vote for her
tax increase that she's trying to put on the ballot

(01:08):
for this early childhood education program, like you said, to
fulfill her legacy and have her have something carry on
after she leaves.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Unfortunately, for all of us Harris County taxpayers, it would
be better for us if her legacy was that she
fixed the roads, or that she improved the infrastructure, or
she made Harris County a flood control of priority, or
a whole laundry list of other things that are under
her job description as the county judge.

Speaker 2 (01:37):
Right exactly, anything that we actually, you know, expect our
taxes to go towards and pay for. But those seem
to not be a priority for her. And I think
as she kind of continues to get further and further
iced out of Commissioner's Court, and this kind of is
she or is she not running for office again continues
to loom. She keeps just doubling down on this early
childhood education thing. So I think that's the only thing
we're going to get her to focus on from now

(01:59):
until the end of her term.

Speaker 1 (02:00):
Well, and speaking of running, do you think she's going
to run?

Speaker 2 (02:03):
You know, it's hard to say. Every day. It seems
like it's a new thing, you know. And I think
she kind of backed herself into her corner here because
she announced that she was going to announce so soon.
And then you know, if she announces that she's not running,
well she's even a lamer duck than she currently is.
Or she announces that she's running for something else, effectively
she would resign from that office, you'd be forced to.
And so she really can't say much of anything. And

(02:24):
I think that this early childhood education thing, I think
that's going to kind of determine what her future looks like,
because I think if she has something to leave as
a legacy, she might be willing to walk away from it.
But if she doesn't, then she might keep fighting.

Speaker 1 (02:35):
Okay, I'm mistakeous for the rest of us. So let
me see again, Lena logic here. I was staying this
job until I have something I can say I did
whatever whatever that is, or however long that takes exactly.

Speaker 2 (02:51):
Just give her something eventI.

Speaker 1 (02:52):
Go well, said Charles appreciated. Charles Blaine from Urban reform.
It's six twenty six