Former Mayor Tom Leppert argued in yesterday’s Dallas Morning News that supporting public safety means voting for proposition A. Apparently, it doesn’t matter what’s in the bond, what it costs, or whether taxpayers can trust how the money will be spent.
Dallas voters know better. They can support public safety AND fiscal responsibility by voting AGAINST prop A. They’re demanding a BETTER BOND.
Unlike 2017 and 2024 bonds, there were no community meetings to develop this proposal. Projects aren’t individually identified on the ballot, dollar amounts aren’t guaranteed, and the city council can redirect the money.
Voters deserve separate propositions to judge each project on its merits, especially the controversial proposal to move 911 out of City Hall.
But let’s talk about what being pro-pubic safety actually means.
Dallas police officers and firefighters are working without a contract, without negotiated step raises or assurances of competitive pay. Even after extending their contract an extra year, management failed to reach an agreement.
Their associations tell me negotiations haven’t resumed since the City Manager skipped a meeting to take a photo with President Trump.
I proposed additional funding for competitive first responder pay during the budget deliberations last month. That’s supporting public safety.
Dallas first responder retirees haven’t had a cost of living increase since 2016, and the City’s pension agreement could leave them without one for another twenty years. Imagine retiring after a career protecting Dallas residents, knowing your pension won’t keep up with inflation for decades.
That’s not how we honor public safety professionals, and it’s certainly not a recruiting or retention advantage.
Our civilian employee pension has given cost of living increases annually. I’ve never heard of a city with better benefits for the civilian employees than first responders.
Supporting public safety means showing up for police and fire academy graduations, promotion ceremonies, and funerals. I do that, often as the only current or former elected official present.
Leppert mentions the police property room in his article. Did he ever visit it while mayor or in the 15 years since he was mayor? I did, and I was told I was the first elected official to tour it.
Leppert’s interviews suggest he hasn’t studied the details of this bond. Instead, he’s repeating the familiar Allyn Media playbook. Label something as public safety, manufacture urgency, and expect voters to say yes, using Highland Park dollars to drag it across the finish line. But this time, Dallas voters are paying attention.
Leppert also supports abandoning and demolishing our Dallas City Hall. It’s no coincidence that this bond includes moving 911 out of the building. Thanks to the Save Dallas City Hall coalition, residents recognize what’s at stake, and opposition to prop A is growing.
Other than the police academy, if these projects are so urgent, why weren’t they included in the $1.25 billion bond voters approved just two years ago?
They weren’t even considered. Now City Hall wants another $443 million, costing tax payers approximately $629 million with interest over twenty years. That’s real debt, repaid with your property taxes. It isn’t free money.
Dallas voters have heard promises with bonds about a new police academy four times before. This would be the fifth. Public safety deserves more than promises, political messaging, and another blank check.
Supporting public safety doesn’t require abandoning fiscal responsibility.
Vote AGAINST prop A, the last item on your ballot. Demand a BETTER BOND.
The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Dallas Express.
