Full Show: The Effect Of Sea Level Rise On Property Values, And Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (April 23, 2019)

On Tuesday’s Houston Matters: How rising tides are affecting property values, workplace fatalities in Texas, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, how the state handles environmental crises, and Galveston poet Lupe Mendez.

Abner Fletcher

| April 23, 2019, 6:00 AM

Listen

On Tuesday’s Houston Matters: Texas should have seen about $76 million more in property value had it not been for sea level rise, according to a new study from the First Street Foundation. Researchers with the non-profit and Columbia University found sea level rise caused property values of coastal homes not to appreciate as much as they could have between 2005 and 2017. We take a closer look.

Then: Houston city leaders today announce a new worker safety and health program for workers building affordable housing in neighborhoods damaged by Hurricane Harvey. The latest data available show Houston accounts for 20 percent of workplace fatalities in Texas, and the state has a higher rate of fatal injuries in the workplace than the rest of the country. We learn more.

Also this hour: Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher talks about her tenure so far and answers listener questions.

Then, we discuss the lawsuits the state has filed against the ITC facility in Deer Park and the KMCO facility in Crosby over recent chemical fires at those companies.

And we talk with Galveston poet Lupe Mendez about his new collection of poetry, Why I Am Like Tequila.

We offer a daily podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other podcasting apps.