Why I voted against the budget...
Since I was the only City Council member to vote against the budget, I want to tell you why.

• First, the budget is not transparent. It raises taxes in the guise of fees and dips too deeply into reserves.
  
  
• Second, it sets us up for greater problems in 2010-11.

This budget raises revenue by increasing taxes on both Dallas Water Utilities and Atmos Energy for a combined $8.6 million and calls it an increased "fee." These "fees" will be paid exclusively by individuals and businesses in Dallas through increased water and gas bills. You pay a user fee when you take a class at a recreation center or park at Love Field.

This "fee" is a tax in disguise.

This budget increases the cost of living and doing business in Dallas at a time when seniors will not get cost of living allowances from social security and retail sales are down 18% over last year. The budget was balanced by taking $22 million out of reserves which cannot be done again next year. If we issue the scheduled $355 million in bonds this year we will face increased debt service of $24 million in FY 2010-11. We are digging ourselves into a hole unnecessarily.

And yet the council was able to walk away saying "We did not raise your taxes."

• See "Budget Overview"

Northwest District 13 initiative
West of Webb Chapel Road, in the northwestern portions of Dallas City Council Districts 13 and 6, residents are facing a litany of problems which stem from the number of single-family rental homes. I am working with neighborhood leaders, code enforcement, senior city staff and police to tackle a number of issues. Read more about this new initiative.

New library hours ... and an opportunity to help our libraries
New hours for all Dallas Public Library facilities begin Thurs., Oct. 1. For more information, visit www.dallaslibrary.org. At this time of budget cuts, I encourage you (and your book clubs) to donate new or slightly worn books, CDs, and DVDs to our libraries. Items may be dropped off at any library location. Here is more information about donating.

Dallas Bikes to City Hall on October 7
Dallas has the dubious distinction of "Worst City in the US for Bicycling," but we're working to change that. In cooperation with DART, the Dallas Parks Department, and Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, join me for Dallas Bikes to City Hall at 8 a.m. on Oct. 7. We'll bike from Union Station to City Hall and learn about Dallas projects that will embrace the Complete Streets initiative.

Dallas' priorities for H1N1 ... also know as "swine flu"
The spread of H1N1 influenza virus, or "swine flu," has been unprecedented. Whereas seasonal influenza viruses typically take six months to circulate the globe, the H1N1 virus reached six continents in six weeks. Learn how the City of Dallas and Dallas County recommend we should prepare for — and respond to — this pandemic.