Greater Houston Green Party: The Platform

A Political Platform that puts People, Planet & Peace Over Profit

For decades, both major parties have told us that markets solve everything, that our democracy is working fine, and that we should expect less while corporations take more. This platform starts from a different premise: people, planet, and peace come before profit — democracy should work for everyone, not just donors.

We cannot demand better until we can envision better. That begins with discussing what lies beyond the restricted political landscape our current status quo offers.

Our platform is broken into three parts: (1) Saving Democracy (apolitical procedural policies), (2) Green Party Platform (eco-socialists/leftist policies) and (3) Local Platform (Houston policies).

Each topic includes links to explainer videos, think-tank proposals, and active legislation (where available) — we aren’t attempting anything that hasn’t been proposed before. We encourages all visitors of the website to explore the platform and send feedback.

Not familiar with socialism? Checkout some of the below videos as a starting point:

Join the Movement

By joining the Greater Houston Green Party, you’ll become part of a growing community of people working to create a cleaner, more affordable, and more democratic future. Whether you volunteer your time, share your skills, or support our work financially, you’ll help expand our movement, reach more people, and make a lasting impact across Greater Houston. Join us today and be part of the change our community deserves.

Volunteer

(1) Saving Democracy: Project 2028

Want to save our democracy? Look no further.

The below was inspired by Project 2028 — a comprehensive reform agenda to rebuild American democracy and the economy, so that political power and wealth serve ordinary people instead of corporations, billionaires, and entrenched incumbents.

Money Out of Politics

Overturn Citizens United by co-sponsoring and advocating for the Democracy for All Amendment — a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore the power of Congress to regulate political spending
Ban Lobbyist Gifts — no more direct or indirect incentives for politicians
Ban Stock Trading in Congress by co-sponsoring and advocating for the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act
Advocate for public financing of campaigns

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)

Co-sponsor the Ranked Choice Voting Act and push for federal incentives for states to adopt RCV in primaries and general elections
Support federal standards for fair ballot access, including nonpartisan primary systems

Tie Politician Salaries to Average Wage

Introduce legislation tying congressional salaries to a multiple of the median income of their home district
No pay during government shutdowns

Term Limits for Politicians

Co-sponsor and advocate for legislation capping term limits for Congress
Congress is unlikely to vote to limit its own power (see H.J.Res.12) so advocates are using Article V of the Constitution to bypass Washington. If 34 state legislatures pass resolutions calling for a "Term Limits Convention," an amendment can be proposed without congressional approval.

(2) Green Party Platform (Ecosocialism)

Prioritizing people, planet & peace — the following policies are for the eco-socialists and democratic socialists alike and are based upon the 10 Key Values of the TX Green Party Platform.

Universal Healthcare (Single-Payer)

Co-sponsor bills like the Medicare for All Act to establish a single-payer universal healthcare system
Oppose privatization of Medicare or Medicaid
Advocate for increased funding for community clinics in TX-7

Raise Federal Minimum Wage to $25/Hour + Scale to Cost of Living

Co-sponsor legislation to raise the federal minimum wage in line with modern cost-of-living realities. Force wages to pace with inflation.
Introduce bills that allow regional cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) indexing, starting with $25/hr

America First. No More Aid to Israel. No More Endless Wars

Advocate and vote for all legislation that reins in the military industrial complex
Vote against unconditional military aid packages (i.e., Ceasefire Compliance Act)
Condition aid (if any) on compliance with U.S. human rights law (i.e., Leahy Law)
Support bills that compel the Department of Defense (DOD) to achieve a clean audit by imposing financial penalties for failures
Reduce or eliminate Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
Restore funding to UNRWA
Support recognition of Palestinian statehood

Regulate Data Centers

Data centers must serve communities, not drain our water, overload or grid, and collect public subsidies for private tech monopolies
Endorse legislation like the Data Transparency Act

Codify Women's Rights and Parental Leave

Propose and co-sponsor legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act
Advocate for amending the constitution to enshrine women’s bodily autonomy.
Push for nation-wide paid parental leave

Revitalize American Education

Support legislation that builds a Progressive Vision for Education in the 21st Century
Push-back on school voucher programs in Texas
Forgive student-loan debt
Resuscitate the Department of Education

Tax Billionaires Out of Existence

2% annual tax on net worth above $50 million (i.e., Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act)
3%+ annual tax on net worth above $1 billion
Tax annual unrealized capital gains of billionaires
Expand the IRS to crack down on tax evasion of the ultra-wealthy
Increase corporate tax rates based on CEO-to-median worker pay ratios

(3) Houston Platform (Local Issues)

Career politicians put their donors ahead of their constituents. The following policies are for all Houston residents - not just political donors.

Affordability & Population Loss

Pursue former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich’s proposed 10 Ways to make America Affordable Again
Increase appropriations to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and pair with a pilot program to acquire aging multifamily homes and convert into Community Land Trusts
Keep Wall Street out of the residential housing market
Advocate for tenant right of first refusal + tenant right to organize programs

Flood Mitigation and Disaster Preparedness

Expand and streamline FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and Individual Assistance (IA) Program, so money goes directly to applicants within a set number of days, rather than being held by state and municipal entities
Increase Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding and keep federal match requirements workable for lower-income communities
Tie federal mitigation dollars to measurable outputs (i.e., structures protected, prevention capacity added, repetitive-loss properties flagged)
Prioritize grant applications for bayou/drainage networks near Alief, Sharpstown and Gulfton

Improve Road Safety and Reduce Traffic

Expand the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program to improve walkability with sidewalks and street safety upgrades; remove red-tape so the state and city can’t withhold the funds for political games
Implement a pilot program for participatory budgeting for road and public transit projects
Protect and expand Federal Transit Administration (FTA) bus program funding for TX-7
Advocate for corridor-specific earmarks (i.e., dedicated bus lanes, 10-minute peak frequency targets) and a Zero-Fare pilot program

Food Insecurity