Still No TV Ads, But At Least We're Talking ...

Part of the problem with the complaint that the current crop of Mayoral candidates (the serious ones, anyway) aren't distinguishable enough might just have something to do with the fact that local issues don't exactly break down along the same lines that national issues do.

In the case of financing for the Reliant Stadium, witness Gene Locke vs Annise Parker:

Needless to say, I opposed all of the stadium deals (and oppose the current soccer stadium deal) on the grounds that if stadiums are so profitable for their resident teams, then the teams should pony up the dough for the stadiums. Local governments (and even local Sports Authority agencies) can still play a role in helping to secure financing and fund infrastructure improvements to facilitate the stadiums. In short: help & assist, fine; subsidize, not fine. Unfortunately, that approach hasn't taken root in very many places.

Gene's role in the negotiations obviously doesn't move me back in his direction, but it's not exactly as if Annise Parker is arguing for the type of role I'd like to see played. It's still posturing. As Locke notes, she was on council and approved the agreements that were put up for a vote. Muddled, but it wouldn't be terribly bad if the discussion on how we fund these playgrounds is made a bit more public.