Houston City Elections - Michael Kubosh Discusses City Finances in Race for City Council

Candidate for Houston CIty Council, At Large Position 3, Michael Kubosh returned to TexasGOPVote to discuss the City of Houstons financial condition and what he would bring to City Council. As an at large member of council, Kubosh would focus on many issues that directly effect the city-wide aspects of our municipal budget.

Kubosh opened the interview discussing a financial management report that was ordered by city council. "That report was published," Kubosh said, "and its on the website, and if you youd like to see it, go to the City of Houston website. Its the long range financial management report, and it says that our general fund balance is going to be deficient in the year 2014. What that really means is that were going broke. Whats happened is, Bob, we have deferred the pension plan payments. Many citizens dont really understand what that means. That means that instead of paying in, as we are obligated to pay, we asked them, can we just defer it and put it off?"


I asked Kubosh how we got into this mess. "We havent balanced the budget since Bill Whites administration because thats where it started," Kubosh responded. "In fact, this mayor, Parker, said that Bill White paid the House note with the credit card. Thats the term she used when she was running for mayor, but the truth of the matter is, while she was the controller, an independently elected official of the City of Houston, she never sounded the alarm."

Kubosh discussed what he believed his role would be as a member of Houstons City Council. "I believe its my responsibility to answer to the citizens of the city. Not to answer to the mayor, not to answer to the other council members, but to answer to the people who put me there. As soon as that council meeting is over, I walk right out of that city chamber, and Ill talk to the press, and Ill tell them what really went on in City Hall," Kubosh said.

Kubosh Coalition

He backed up that claim stating, "Im not afraid of those people down there, and you know, Bob, Ive already proven that. Im the only candidate right now for any race in Houston thats beat City Hall at their own game. We had an election on Prop 3, and 186,000 people said no to those red light cameras. But theres other issues that we have to stand up for as City Council members. We cant allow the Administration to keep shoving things down the throats of the people without somebody standing up and organizing the group to challenge it."

Of course, being a member of council is not just about stopping things. It is also about getting things done. Houston is a "strong mayor" form of government where the mayor sets most, if not all, of the weekly agenda items for council. I asked Kubosh how he would operate in that environment. "Bob, I think its going to the take building of a coalition. Not just of the members of the City Council, which would be ideal, but theyve already cast their lot her way, so were going to have to build it with the citizens."

But then, we know Kubosh is capable of building citizen coalitions. He has proven that time and time again. Many of those skills required to build citizen coalitions will also serve him to build coalitions in council.

Bob Price interviews Michael KuboshKubosh explained one of his first priorities  for when he takes office next January. "Well the first thing Im going to tell the mayor is that I have a covenant with 34,000 people who want to vote on whether or not its legal or not to criminalize the charitable giving to the poor, and to the needy, and to the hungry in this city, and Im not going to leave that alone because those people have signed a petition. These people want to have a vote. Why are we afraid of people voting?" It should be a very interesting first public session meeting!

He went on to lay out other priorities for when he takes office in city council. "I also want to look at whats going on with the pension plans. Weve got to balance the budget, and weve to have some accountability for these terms. We have to have audits. We need to audit them, and Im not an accountant. My brother Paul is an accountant, and I know accountants like Bill Frazer (candidate for Houston City Controller), but the truth of the matter is, Im not an accountant, but I do know how to balance a checkbook, and I am responsible to pay people on my payroll, and I believe its responsible government that only spends what the people give them and dont put the people in debt, and were going to have to hold the people accountable that are in office right now."

Early voting for the Houston City Elections begins on October 21st and runs through November 1st. General election day is November 5th. As a reminder, this is the first election where voters will be required to show a photo ID. Yes, you actually will have to prove you are who you say you are to vote. If you dont have an acceptable form of ID, now it the time to go get one!

Typically, city elections get a low voter turnout. This election promises to be no different. However, with contested races in traditionally conservative areas and a lack of some in traditionally liberal areas of the city, conservatives have a real opportunity to reshape the landscape of the Houston City Council and Controllers seat. Lets get every conservative voter we can to the polls. As Yogi Bear might have once said, "Only you can prevent bad government in Houston!"

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TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW:

Bob Price: As we get closer to the city elections where were going to select a mayor, city council members, and controller for the City of Houston, were back with city council candidate for At-large Position 3 Michael Kubosh. Michael, welcome back to TexasGOPVote. 

Michael Kubosh: Its good to be back. 

Bob Price: Last time we talked a little bit about who you are in your politics and your background. Lets talk about the city council race now and what that job entails. The City of Houston is in some pretty strong financial situations. What issues do you see are important in respect to that? 

Michael Kubosh: Well first of all, there was a long range financial management report that was ordered by the council, by ordinance, by the mayor and the council back in 2011. That report was published, and its on the website, and if you youd like to see it, go to the City of Houston website. Its the long range financial management report, and it says that our general fund balance is going to be deficient in the year 2014. What that really means is that were going broke. Whats happened is, Bob, we have deferred the pension plan payments. Many citizens dont really understand what that means. That means that instead of paying in, as we are obligated to pay, we asked them, can we just defer it and put it off? Well thats what weve done to the fact that were now deeply in debt, and so we havent balanced the budget since Bill Whites administration because thats where it started. In fact, this mayor, Parker, said that Bill White paid the House note with the credit card. Thats the term she used when she was running for mayor, but the truth of the matter is, while she was the controller. An independently elected official of the City of Houston never sounded the alarm. In fact, she had also sat on City Council for many years. As a City Council Member, I believe its my responsibility, and in this office, to answer to the citizens of the city. Not to answer to the mayor, not to answer to the other council members, but to answer to the people who put me there. As soon as that council meeting is over, I walk right out of that city chamber, and Ill talk to the press, and Ill tell them what really went on in City Hall. You know, Ive been saying almost every campaign stump speech Ive had that Im an outsider. Put me on the inside, and Ill tell you whats really going on in City Hall because Im not afraid of those people down there, and you know, Bob, Ive already proven that. Im the only candidate right now for any race in Houston  thats beat City Hall at their own game. We had an election on Prop 3, and 186,000 people said no to those red light cameras. But theres other issues that we have to stand up for as City Council members. We cant allow the Administration to keep shoving things down the throats of the people without somebody standing up and organizing the group to challenge it. 

Bob Price: Now, Houston is a strong mayor form of government, so theres a limited role that the city council members can play. How will you work with the city and the mayor to get things done that are important to get done, and at the same time, block issues that need to be stopped in the city? 

Michael Kubosh: Bob, I think its going to take building of a coalition. Not just of the members of the City Council, which would be ideal, but theyve already cast their lot her way, so were going to have to build it with the citizens. You know, I called a state rep a few years ago, Bob, on an issue. He didnt vote the way he should, and I called him, and in fact, he didnt even show up to vote. He was in the restroom, he said, and didnt even vote. Then he said to me in this tone of voice, Michael. Im only one out of 150." And I said, "It looks like youre one that we dont need. You need to get out." You know, Ive been listening to the radio today, and Ted Cruz is being singlehandedly held responsible for shutting down the government. Its all over the news. Its all Ted Cruzs fault. The truth of the matter is, if one senator from the state of Texas has that kind of influence in Washington, by God, Im happy for him, and I believe we need somebody like me to stand up in City Hall and to do the same thing. 

Bob Price: Well I have to tell you, I cant wait for the first City Council meeting when youre on the Council. I think thatll be an interesting fight to see. 

Michael Kubosh: Well the first thing Im going to tell the mayor is that I have a covenant with 34,000 people who want to vote on whether or not its legal or not to criminalize the charitable giving to the poor, and to the needy, and to the hungry in this city, and Im not going to leave that alone because those people have signed a petition, I have a covenant with them. These people want to have a vote. Why are we afraid of people voting? 

Bob Price: Right. Absolutely. 

Michael Kubosh: We need to stand up for it. 

Bob Price: Yeah, the mayor has learned that when she puts things to a vote that she doesnt always fare to well. 

Michael Kubosh: Not against us. 

Bob Price: Especially when Michael Kubosh is running the opposition. What would you like to accomplish in the City Council? What things are important to you that the city should be doing? 

Michael Kubosh: Well first of all, I want to change that ordinance. I also want to look at whats going on with the pension plans. Weve got to balance the budget, and weve to have some accountability for these terms. We have to have audits. We need to audit them, and Im not an accountant. My brother Paul is an accountant, and I know accountants like Bill Frazer, but the truth of the matter is, Im not an accountant, but I do know how to balance a checkbook, and I am responsible to pay people on my payroll, and I believe its responsible government that only spends what the people give them and dont put the people in debt, and were going to have to hold the people accountable that are in office right now. I wish there was a button that said "No incumbents" so people would know who they were. 

Bob Price: It would be an interesting tag. You know there was a long time where if you had the word incumbent next to your name, that would get you reelected, but in this day in time, it might just get you tossed out on your ear. 

Michael Kubosh: It might just do that. 

Bob Price: So the City Elections are coming up here very, very shortly. Mail voting is underway as we speak. When does early voting start? 

Michael Kubosh: It starts October 21st and it ends November 1st. Now, during early voting, you can go to any polling place thats open, and you can vote at any one of them regardless of where youre registered to vote. If you wait until the election day, you have to vote in your precinct, so thats why I highly encourage everyone to vote early. 

Bob Price: This is the first election where Texas new photo ID law is going into effect, so I want to remind voters that they are going to need to bring a photo identification with them. If you dont have one yet, its time to go out and get one so you can vote. We dont want anyone not to be able to vote because they dont have a photo ID. So, we hope to see everybody at the polls. 

Michael Kubosh: Remember this Bob, your voter ID address must match your voter registration card. You dont have to have the card, but theyll have the addressed you registered to vote with, so the ID must match the address. 

Bob Price: So its important that people take steps early to make sure that they will be able to cast their vote when they get to the polls. I know the Texas Secretary of State has been working very hard on making sure people are educated about this issue, so we want to commend them for that. Well see you at the polls. 

Michael Kubosh: Thank you.

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