What happened
Johnson and the newly elected City Council were sworn into office at the Meyerson Symphony Center. With only two new members, 12 of the 14 City Council members are serving at least their second term. Newcomers Kathy Stewart and Zarin Gracey now represent Lake Highlands in District 10 and southwest Dallas in District 3, respectively.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn swore Johnson in for his second term, while Dallas Administrative Judge Preston Robinson swore in the council members. Sen. Ted Cruz was also in attendance at the ceremony.
Quote of note
During the ceremony, Cornyn emphasized a need for bipartisanship and collaboration among political leaders such as himself and Johnson.
“That Dallas is a national powerhouse is no coincidence—it’s the result of strong leadership, effective partnerships and an enduring commitment to the people who call this city home,” Cornyn said. “I’m grateful for everything Mayor Johnson has done to make Dallas a great place to work, live and raise a family, and I look forward to continuing to work together.”
A closer look
During his mayoral address, Johnson noted a two-year decline in violent crime in Dallas as one of his top achievements as mayor so far. Moving into his second term, he said he wants to continue focusing on public safety with a goal of making Dallas the safest major city in the U.S.
Johnson said he plans to lead Dallas to having the best park system of any city in Texas. Having a “vibrant” park system creates opportunities for children and families to experience a “decent quality of life,” he said.
In addition, Johnson said he will advocate “fiercely” for property tax relief. He wants to have the lowest property tax rate of any major city in the region, which he said will enable more people to live and work in Dallas. Currently, the tax rate in the city of Dallas is $0.7458 per $100 in valuation.
“It’s steady progress toward these three goals that’s going to ensure that Dallas remains a place where dreams can come true,” Johnson said during the ceremony.
Stay tuned
The newly inaugurated City Council will have its first voting meeting at 9 a.m. June 28 at City Hall.
