Convenience Big Store: Final mayoral debate takeaways

December 5, 2023

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Good morning, Houston.

It's Tuesday. And don't panic, but Christmas is less than three weeks away.

⛅ Temperature check: High of 71; low of 49. Justin's insight: High atmospheric pressure will keep the sunshine going in Houston through Friday before our next cold front arrives this weekend. Read more here.

Cat DeLaura, Audience producer

cat.delaura@houstonchronicle.com

Best of the Bayou

Today we're talking about the final Houston mayoral debate...

If you read one thing: State Sen. John Whitmire and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee clashed over plans to fight crime and addressed recent controversies they've each inspired in their careers during the final debate of Houston's mayoral race. Here are three key takeaways from the debate.

1. Public safety.

Jackson Lee challenged Whitmire on whether he would seek to take money from Metro to help fund more police officers and other crime-fighting tools after Whitmire said that Metro ought to be working with HPD. In response to the moderators' initial question, Whitmire had said, "We don't need to take their money, although their money will follow them when they work in concert with HPD."

2. Finner will stay.

Both candidates agreed that Police Chief Troy Finner would continue to lead the department. Whitmire said he thinks Finner has been a great chief but has room for improvement. Jackson Lee suggested Whitmire had qualified his words and would only keep Finner to start.

3. Controversies.

Moderators pressed the two candidates about a pair of Chronicle articles last week addressing Whitmire's history of mingling his personal career with lawmaking and Jackson Lee's troubled record as a boss.

Their defenses? Whitmire argued conflicts are relatively unavoidable in the part-time Legislature. And Jackson Lee said she could not recall episodes that former staffers recounted about an "emotionally bruising" atmosphere in her office, where some said she frequently rebuked them with harsh language.

Read Dylan McGuinness' full write-up about the debate here.

Stay in the Loop

Photo by: Susan Barber

📰 Need to Know

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State lawmakers ask HISD to restore Verizon program providing free laptops, internet. "With our children's futures on the line, we urge you to either renew the partnership with Verizon or find an alternative vendor that can immediately provide free internet service for these students," the letter from lawmakers said.
Former Harris County deputy Renard Spivey testifies about fatal 2019 shooting of wife. Bickering and accusations of infidelity peppered Renard Spivey's final hours with his wife, whom he fatally shot during an alleged tussle over a gun, the former Harris County deputy testified Monday.
Houston Mayor Turner introduces 9 city ordinances to fix city's soaring water bill crisis. The outgoing mayor's plan comes shortly after three council members proposed their own ordinance change for water bill relief.

💼 Business

UH survey unlocks reasons EV remain a tough sell in Texas. The lack of charging stations was the leading reason cited by those who were not interested in electric vehicles.
Houston clean energy developer EnergyRe raises $1.2 billion from European investors. The funding is another in a series of multibillion-dollar deals secured in recent months to build the badly needed long-distance power lines that move power generated by solar and wind farms in rural areas to urban centers where electricity demand is greatest.
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🚗 Outside the Loop

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Conroe doctor death should be investigated as a hate crime, family says. A Muslim civil rights group and the family of a Conroe pediatrician stabbed to death in October have called for a federal investigation into the death as a possible hate crime.
Montgomery plans community center, sports fields in a new 400-acre park. The park, which also features pickleball courts, a skate and dog park, hiking and equestrian trials, gardens and an amphitheater, is planned for the Woodforest community.
Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck announces unexpected retirement. Beth Martinez, deputy superintendent for the district, will serve as acting superintendent.

Point of View

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Without aggressive action by Houston's next mayor, the city won't be able to meet President Joe Biden's proposed 10-year deadline for replacing lead water pipes, writes the Editorial Board.

Houston vs. All Y'all

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Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

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As noted by speculators, the third baseman could be lost to free agency after next season. But he remains a vital piece of Houston's 2024 plans.

Interim coach Sarah Lowdon leaves the Houston Dash. Lowdon has stepped down as coach of the Dash just four months after replacing Sam Laity. Lowdon announced her departure via social media.
Could this be an All-Star season for Rockets' Alperen Şengün? The third-year center is one of only four NBA players averaging at least 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists, but wins will be just as vital.
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Dynamo begin busy offseason with several roster moves. The Dynamo will enter one of their biggest offseasons in recent years with a 22-player roster.

Get Out

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Beyoncé fans served, and were served, during Queen Bey brunches at Union Kitchen locations around Houston.

'Killers of the Flower Moon' is available for streaming beginning today. Martin Scorsese's lauded historical drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro is predicted to be a major Oscar contender.

Final reminder: today is the last day of early voting for the runoff election. You can find our Editorial Board's endorsements here.

— Cat DeLaura