Following Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive to remove surface markings, signage, and symbols that do not directly support traffic safety—including rainbow crosswalks—Houston METRO has announced plans to re-stripe the city’s rainbow crosswalks in Montrose.
Abbott’s order, issued Wednesday, instructed cities and counties across Texas to eliminate “symbols, flags, or other markings conveying social, political, or ideological messages” or risk penalties. Those penalties could include the withholding or denial of state and federal road funds, as well as possible suspension of TxDOT agreements.
“Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott said.
Wednesday evening, Houston METRO issued an email confirming that it would comply with the directive.
“We recognize the significance this crosswalk has to the community, which is why our project team restored the infrastructure to its pre-construction condition,” the agency said. “However, given the recent directive, we will comply with the order to preserve support that is essential to our mission of providing safe, clean, reliable, and accessible transit to all communities that depend on our services.”
The Montrose crosswalks were first painted in rainbow colors in 2017 to honor Michael Alexander Hill, a man killed in a hit-and-run at the intersection the year prior. LGBT organization Pride Houston 365 funded the project at a cost of $15,000.
Last month, the crosswalks were temporarily repainted white during nearby construction. Metro said at the time that “the temporary white striping was applied to ensure pedestrian safety while the repairs were being carried out.” The rainbow colors returned last week, reportedly using federal funds, according to Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin.
Since Abbott’s announcement and Metro’s subsequent statement, Kamin has publicly criticized the order.
“Abbott has no legal right to interfere with the people of Houston,” she said. “While Abbott wastes time twiddling on unhinged stunts and an obsession with paint colors, over a million Texans may lose their health care coverage, grocery prices are skyrocketing, Houstonians are at risk of flooding and extreme weather — we have real problems that deserve real leadership, not wanna-be Trump authoritarians trampling on the rights of our communities.”
Texas Scorecard contacted METRO regarding the cost to taxpayers for the three repaintings over the past month but did not receive a response as of publication.
