User:Gogreen2026/sandbox

Oscar Leeser
Shelters for Migrants

In September of 2023, Leeser supported the purchase of the abandoned Morehead Middle School from the El Paso Independent School District for $3.8 million. Leeser cited the steep price of housing migrants in hotels as support for the purchase of the school. The middle school will be purchased with federal COVID-19 and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. 

State of Emergency

In April of 2023, Leeser joined mayors of other border cities, such as Brownsville, Texas, and declared a state of emergency in El Paso in preparation for the expiration of Title 42 expulsion on May 11th. The state of emergency could only stand on its own for seven days, at which point it had to be approved for extension by the El Paso City Council. Leeser declared the state of emergency because it allowed the city to gain access to federal funds, which would help the city open and operate migrant shelters and clear the streets. The shelters are intended to be temporary housing for immigrants while they make their way to their long-term destination. 

Veto of Certificate of Obligation

In August of 2021, Leeser vetoed a $96 million certificate of obligation bill passed 6-2 by the El Paso city council. Leeser cited fiscal responsibility and the will of the people as reasons for vetoing the measure. In response, city council member Cassandra Hernandez refuted Leeser's claim that it was the will of the people, citing the need for infrastructure repair. El Paso County, Texas judge Ricardo Samaniego, supported Leeser's actions. Funds from the certificate of obligation would have gone towards parks, the El Paso Zoo, and the Mexican American Cultural Center.

John Bauters
Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety

In April of 2023, John Bauters, in addition to the mayors Indya Kincannon, Danene Sorace, Satya Rhodes-Conway, Cavalier Johnson, Mark Freda of Princeton, New Jersey, Malik Evans, Tishaura Jones, and Caroline Simmons, were voted into The Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety. The institute partners with AARP and Smart Growth America. Emeryville, the city in which Bauters represents, has the smallest population of any city represented by the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety. Nonetheless, Cavalier Johnson praised the addition of Bauters. The mayors meet monthly to discuss solutions to pedestrian safety hazards in cities. 

Nimbee Encounter

While riding his bike in a bike lane parallel to Pennsylvania Avenue during a trip to Washington, D.C., Bauters encountered the Nimbee, who is a satirical characterization of the NIMBY attitude and those generally opposed to change. The Nimbee is known for traveling the country to appear in protests, as well as making a few appearances on virtual meetings. The result of the physical encounter was a line of light-hearted tweets between Bauters and the Nimbee's account. 

John Bauters in Ann Arbor

In September of 2023, Bauters visited the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan for a bike ride in which residents were invited to participate in. The ride was organized by the city council members Dharma Akmon and Erica Biggs. A few days later, Bauters spoke as a guest at the Ann Arbor mobility summit, along with Christopher Taylor (politician).