Hou Decide and the HERO Saga: Monday’s Show (October 19, 2015)

The final debate before early voting in the Houston mayor’s race was held Saturday night. Houston Public Media, KHOU 11 News and Free Press Houston co-presented the debate called “Hou Decide,” which was geared, in part, towards younger voters, as evidenced by Tweet-like opening statements, and some questions coming from Millennials at a watch party in Montrose. The seven major candidates were also encouraged to use tablets and smart phones, as they responded to questions on a wide array of issues, from the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, to housing and gentrification, police oversight, road repairs, city debt, human trafficking and cycling — among other topics. On this edition of Houston Matters, we feature some highlights, as well as analysis from, among others, the debate’s editorial panelists: KHOU’s Doug Miller, Free Press Houston’s Omar Afra, and News 88.7’s Laurie Johnson.

View Full Debate (video at bottom of the page).

Also this hour: The Houston Matters team (Edel Howlin, Craig Cohen, Paige Phelps, Michael Hagerty and Maggie Martin) offers a comprehensive look at the entire Houston Equal Rights Ordinance saga, examining what the ordinance says and the language of Proposition 1 on this election’s ballot, the major objections to the ordinance opponents have expressed, potential misinformation in dueling ad campaigns, why there’s been so much gamesmanship about the ordinance, and what the mayoral candidates have had to say about it.

Then: A new report from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition looks at expanding Harris County's drug diversion program and how it might improve public safety outcomes and save tax dollars. We learn more from Jay Jenkins, the coalition’s Harris County project attorney.

Plus: The Houston Texans defeated the Jaguars 31-20 Sunday (Oct. 18, 2015) in Jacksonville, improving to 2-4 on the season. Still not good, but in a weak AFC South, with ten games still ahead, they’re in the playoff hunt. That faint sense of hope may have soothed Houston sports fans’ hearts after the Houston Astros’ season concluded this past Wednesday night, in a 7-2 loss at the hands of the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series. We recap the season — and the return of playoff baseball to Houston for the first time in a decade — with Evan Drellich, who covers the Astros for the Houston Chronicle.