Politics
Houston City Council Approves 18% Salary Increase For Firefighters
Posted on · Despite the federal dollars, the years-long battle between Mayor Sylvester Turner and the firefighters union over pay may not be over yet.
Flooding
Northeast Houston Communities Call For Equity In Harris County Flood Control Funding
Posted on · The county is struggling to fund part of a sweeping $5 billion improvement plan.
City of Houston
Houston City Council Approves Water Bill Price Increase For The Next Five Years
Posted on · The increase will go into effect starting on September 1.
Texas Legislature
Gov. Greg Abbott Could Veto Funding For The Legislature This Week In Retaliation For Democratic Walkout
Posted on · Legislative staffers could lose their paychecks beginning September 1, but insiders say if Abbott does follow through with his threat, the decision would almost certainly be reversed before going into effect.
Housing
Houston Renters Brace For Expiration Of Federal Eviction Moratorium, Unemployment Benefits
Posted on · Renters facing eviction could lose two key pandemic safety net measures this month.
Politics
Harris County Democratic Party Precinct Chair Resigns After Racist Email
Posted on · John Robert Behrman questioned whether party members of Nigerian descent are loyal to the United States.
Politics
Houston Passes $5.1 Billion Annual Budget, Using Federal Aid To Plug Deficit
Posted on · The city avoided budget cuts and layoffs, though Mayor Sylvester Turner said the pandemic caused the worst deficit in the city’s history.
Politics
As Abbott Opts Out Of Federal COVID-19 Jobless Benefits, Houstonians See A Tough Road Ahead
Posted on · Unemployed workers planned to get additional assistance through September, but Gov. Greg Abbott is cutting off the aid in June.
Houston
Mayor Turner Proposes 18% Houston Firefighter Pay Increase Over 3 Years
Posted on · Earlier this month, a state appeals court sided with the firefighters union, ruling that firefighters have the right to negotiate pay and contracts under state law.
Housing
There’s $159 Million In Rent Relief Up For Grabs In The Houston Area. But Many Landlords Don’t Want The Money
Posted on · Some are wary of conditions and red tape, so they’d rather get the eviction judgment than wait for rent relief to come through.
City Of Houston
Houston Avoids Budget Shortfall With $607 Million In Federal Funds
Posted on · The $5.1 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 is a $227.96 million increase over last year’s spending.
Houston City Council
Houstonians Will Soon See Digital Ad Kiosks Pop Up On Sidewalks
Posted on · The city is setting up the kiosks as a new revenue stream, but not everyone is happy about it.
Flooding
Texas Landlords Don’t Have To Disclose Flood Risk To Renters. A New Bill Would Change That
Posted on · Texas’ renter protections surrounding flood risk disclosure could become among the strongest in the nation.
Criminal Justice
Mayor Turner Promises Police Reforms Including New Body Camera Policy, Revamped Oversight Board
Posted on · The changes include revamping the department's body-worn camera policy, an overhaul of the Independent Police Oversight Board, and a complete ban on no-knock warrants for nonviolent offenses.
Criminal Justice
Houston Will Spend More Than $1 Million To Fight Harding Street Raid Lawsuit
Posted on · The $1.25 million will go to Beck Redden LLP in the first phase of what the city described as a two-phase approach to defending itself against the civil rights suit filed on behalf of the victims' families.