Congressman Sylvester Turner is headed to Washington D.C. to signify Texas’ historic 18th Congressional District after being sworn in on Jan. 11. The Houston Defender received an unique interview with the Congressman earlier than he departed for Washington, D.C. Turner listed the problems he plans to prioritize and mentioned the political surroundings within the U.S. Home of Representatives.
Working with a conservative Congress
When requested if he might work with the conservative Congress and the newly elected president, Turner mentioned he “discovered methods” to work alongside President Donald Trump when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017 and has had related encounters in his political previous.
“In 2003, when the Texas Home, the Texas Senate, and the Governor have been all Republican-controlled,” Turner mentioned. “Democrats have been the minority. I discovered a solution to work with them, and we have been nonetheless in a position to advance measures that have been in one of the best curiosity of the districts…We’ll stand agency on the values and the issues which are vital to the folks within the 18th. If they carry up issues which are the antithesis of what’s in one of the best curiosity of the folks in 18th, I’ve no drawback standing up and opposing and doing the whole lot I can to stop these measures from turning into a actuality.”
Turner’s prime priorities through the time period
Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who accomplished the remaining days of her mom’s time period in workplace, mentioned the historic district grapples with a number of points.
“I sit up for seeing him (Turner) standing robust within the face of plenty of challenges on the federal degree and all the time preserving Texas first,” Carter mentioned. “You continue to should work the place there is a chance, and there could also be a chance on prison authorized system reform, healthcare, which is a ardour of his, the most cancers cluster, environmental toxins, (and) so many different challenges. I do know that he’s dedicated to addressing these.”
Difficulty: Well being care
Turner mentioned well being care is a prime subject as a result of Republicans have indicated they need to do away with Obamacare, which he “strongly opposes.” Contemplating his just lately well being challenges, he mentioned he would work on increasing Obamacare, decreasing premiums to make them inexpensive, and elevating the standard of life for 18th district residents, whose life expectancy is decrease than that of different zip codes.
“Healthcare can be primary,” Turner mentioned. “After which, you have got the environmental injustice points springing out of Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens space with the most cancers cluster.”
Difficulty: Infrastructure and housing
Turner mentioned he’ll handle infrastructure points and the scarcity of inexpensive housing, together with excessive mortgage charges and insurance coverage, in an upcoming assembly with the Nationwide League of Cities in DC this week. He additionally referenced the mixed $382 million Houston and Harris County will obtain from the U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth (HUD) for restoration efforts from Hurricane Beryl and catastrophe resiliency.
“We want infrastructure as a result of folks in marginal communities, particularly within the 18th or within the fixed state of want and restoration areas which are flooding,” Turner mentioned. “The price of housing is constant to rise, driving folks out of their neighborhoods or onto the streets in a state of homelessness. I need to do the whole lot that I can in working on the federal degree to offer extra inexpensive housing.”
Difficulty: Financial improvement, jobs and entrepreneurship
Turner will prioritize financial improvement and the creation of well-paying jobs, in addition to supporting entrepreneurs.
“We have to work with the Small Enterprise Administration and others, working with the trade and the non-public sector to create good paying jobs for folks to care for themselves and their households,” he mentioned.
Working with Whitmire
Addressing a rumored rift between Turner and present Mayor John Whitmire, Turner referenced his former mayoral race opponent, Bob Lanier. In 1991, Turner was within the state legislature when Lanier turned mayor.
“He [Lanier] and I labored collectively,” Turner mentioned. “It’s all about what’s in one of the best curiosity. I’m ready to work with this mayor and his administration within the curiosity of individuals within the 18th and Houston generally. However it will be important that after we work exhausting on the congressional federal degree to deliver sources to the town and to the 18th that these {dollars} are utilized for the very functions which they have been meant.”
Turner said that his job is to “deliver again federal {dollars}” and make sure the acceptable utilization.
Serving his constituents
Reflecting on his time period, he mentioned he’ll construct on the legacy left behind by Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington and Sheila Jackson Lee however may also deliver his views. He added he’ll host city corridor conferences along with his constituents to interact with the group
“I can’t consider anybody within the state of Texas who has been a legislator, mayor, and now a member of Congress,” he mentioned. “I believe I deliver my very own distinctive experiences and perspective to the 18th Congressional District.”
The Swearing-in Ceremony
Turner stepped into his position surrounded by relations, congressional colleagues, and others who had served with him within the legislature and Metropolis Council.
Amongst these current have been U.S. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Al Inexperienced, Texas State Senator Molly Cook dinner, Harris County Decide Lina Hidalgo, Houston Councilmembers Abbie Kamin, Martha Castex-Tatum, Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, and Tiffany D. Thomas, Chair of the 18th Congressional District Linda Bell Robinson and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
Staci Childs, a Texas State Board of Schooling member representing District 4, mentioned Turner’s speech instilled hope amongst Houstonians, and “you could possibly really feel the historical past within the room.”
