Rodeo Protest is Still On

Exactly one week after Go Tejano Day set an all time paid attendance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a coalition of community leaders will stage a protest outside of the rodeo grounds.

This is the news release sent to 2 on the Beat. 

 

NEWS ADVISORY

Protest of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

 

 

Elected officials, community leaders and business leaders will protest the practices of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo on Sunday, March 22, 2009, at 1:00 pm. The protest will begin at Kirby Dr. and Old Spanish Trail and will proceed south on Kirby Drive to the 610 Loop.

 

The purpose of this protest is to bring forth two issues of concern to the community at-large.

 

1. Transparency

 

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is a non-profit organization using a government facility. It brings in approximately $85 million per year; $12 million, of which, are given to college bound students via scholarships. The community is asking the HLSR board to be transparent in regards to the remaining $73 million being spent. Community concerns have led to the filing of a bill in the state legislature that would require the HLSR to open their records. In response, the HLSR has hired a lobbyist to prevent this bill from being passed to avoid full disclosure of their records.

 

2. Inclusivity

 

The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo has millions of dollars in contract opportunities every year. Yet, HLSR does not publicize these opportunities to the business community at-large. Only a select few are invited to participate in the contracting process. The community is asking the HLSR to change their current contracting process to give the business community at-large an opportunity to do business with the HLSR.

 

 

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