Pride Crosswalk vs. Procurement Rules
When it comes to state directives targeting LGBTQ+ symbols, METRO acts with remarkable speed – removing the Westheimer & Taft pride crosswalk shortly after Abbott’s targeting, even arresting community members in the process. Yet when faced with their own procurement rules, the agency’s leadership shows a surprising flexibility.
As Chair Elizabeth Brock stated regarding the Evolve microtransit pilot that exceeds procurement manual limits:
“I personally have a hard time telling people that we have to discontinue this service because We have a process in place. We are leaders in this community and we are leaders because we figure out how to make things work and it is important that we serve the public and we figure out how to make this work…”
This selective approach to compliance raises serious questions:
- Why does METRO fold immediately to vague state directives against pride crosswalks but fight to bypass their own procurement manual limits?
- How can the board justify continuing the Evolve program (worth “several billion dollars” according to Director Trevino) when their manual states pilots should last no more than a year and not exceed $100,000?
- Is the rush to approve an $80+ million road contract without providing board members a complete list of streets part of the same pattern?
Following Rules: Optional When Convenient?
The transcripts reveal a troubling pattern where procedural compliance seems selective:
- For pride crosswalks: Immediate compliance with state directives
- For Evolve microtransit: Rules are flexible because “we are leaders”
- For $80+ million road contracts: Board members expected to approve with incomplete information
Director Fry raised the crucial question: “We have a procedure. We’re not following the procedure. Does that put this board in legal jeopardy, because we’re approving something that is against our procedures?”
Conflicts of Interest
The situation becomes even more concerning when considering potential conflicts of interest, with Chair Brock having served as a founding board member and chair of Evolve Houston before leading METRO.
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