League of Women Voters election survey: Steve Salazar, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 6

by Staff of League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on May 9 features a number of city council races.

The responses of Steve Salazar, who is running for re-election for the District 6 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. Salazar is being challenged by Fernando Rubio, Jr.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

Salazar: I am running for City Council District 6 because I am the best qualified candidate. Having served as councilman for 3 terms in the District and previously 3 terms in District 1, I have the experience to understand the workings of City Hall and the politics which go with it.

LWV: The City of Dallas has a potential $100M shortfall in the next city budget. How would you close the gap? If you would cut services, which ones would you cut?

Salazar: I would first assure residents that Police, Fire and City Employee salaries and benefits be maintained. Second, I would look at departments such as courts to prioritize programs to increase collection of fines owed the city. This includes working with Dept. Public Safety to suspend licenses of individuals who have outstanding warrants and fines with the City of Dallas. Third, moving the city to once weekly trash and recycle will cut costs in fuel.

LWV: Are you in favor of a convention center hotel? If yes, do you support the current plan to finance its construction with revenue bonds and have the city own the hotel?

Salazar: I am supportive of a convention center hotel because the City of Dallas is in the Convention business. A convention hotel is a requirement to attract larger conventions which use the hotel as their headquarters. The current plan of using revenue bonds has proven successful in Houston which is a competitor to Dallas.

LWV: What is your response to recent reports (e.g., Corps of Engineers, North Texas Tollway Authority) regarding the Trinity River tollroad/levee issues?

Salazar: I am concerned that the new post Katrina standards which were revealed to the City in March 2009 did not give much notice of the drastic changes. That said, the City must continue with the engineering and planning to meet the new standards and address them in the designs of the tollroad, bridges and levees.

LWV: Do you think the City of Dallas Ethics Code needs to be strengthened? If yes, in what way(s)?

Salazar: It has been nearly 8 years since the Mayor and Council Charter amendments which provided salaries and twice defeated strong mayor referendums. I believe that we should create a charter commission to review the issue of powers, salaries and ethics and submit for a vote in 2011.