Sylvester Turner served as Houston’s mayor from January 2016 to January 2024. Throughout his tenure, he worked on various initiatives and legislative accomplishments.
Here are 10 of the biggest legislative or policy accomplishments under his leadership:
Houston’s $2.5 Billion Infrastructure Improvement Plan (2016)
Turner was key in launching an extensive infrastructure upgrade program designed to repair and modernize Houston’s streets, drainage systems and other public services. This initiative was part of his broader plan to enhance the city’s infrastructure and improve the living conditions for its residents.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Affordable housing was a cornerstone of Turner’s administration, particularly through policies addressing homelessness and supporting low-income housing developments. He worked tirelessly to secure financial support for affordable housing projects, ensuring more residents could access reasonably priced living options.
Flood Control and Resilience Funding
In the aftermath of catastrophic flooding events like Hurricane Harvey, Turner focused on enhancing flood control systems. He was instrumental in securing funding for flood prevention measures and strengthening Houston’s ability to withstand future storms, including the passage of a $2.5 billion flood control bond in 2018.
Houston’s Legalization of Ride-Hailing Services (2017)
In 2017, Mayor Turner played a critical role in bringing ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft back to Houston after they had suspended operations due to regulatory issues. He worked with local and state officials to establish a regulatory framework allowing these services to operate within the city.
The “Complete Communities” Initiative
Turner introduced the “Complete Communities” initiative, a program to revitalize historically underserved neighborhoods in Houston. This initiative focused on improving economic development, public safety, education and infrastructure to help communities that lacked investment.
Support for the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO)
Even though the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance was overturned in 2015 before Turner’s tenure as mayor, he strongly advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. Under his leadership, the administration has worked on various measures to foster inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Notably, Turner earned an “A+” rating from Equality Texas in 2015 for his advocacy on LGBT issues.
The $1.1 Billion Housing Bond (2021)
In 2021, Turner helped secure approval for a $1.1 billion housing bond to develop affordable housing and support homelessness initiatives. The bond focused on increasing affordable housing stock, rehabilitating existing units and funding programs designed to combat homelessness.
Police Reform Measures
Turner introduced various reforms to enhance police-community relations and improve public safety. His administration implemented changes to increase transparency within the Houston Police Department and established measures for greater accountability, especially in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Environmental Initiatives
Turner has championed a number of environmental initiatives, particularly in the areas of air quality, waste management, and green space development. His administration worked to create more parks, promote sustainability, and increase efforts toward recycling and waste reduction.COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Turner was essential in leading Houston’s response, including implementing public health strategies, coordinating testing and vaccination efforts and providing economic relief to businesses and workers. Additionally, he advocated for federal aid to support the city’s recovery.
