The measures are only awaiting the governor’s signature.
Local Governance
Houston City Council Approves $7 Billion ‘Balanced’ Budget
The budget uses city reserves to close a $107 million shortfall.
Court Approves Drainage Settlement, Allowing Houston’s $7B Budget to Move Forward
Controller Chris Hollins had refused to certify the budget until the settlement was approved.
Harris County Bureaucrats Among America’s Highest-Paid Government Employees
Nine county employees now make more than the president of the United States, and forty-five make more than cabinet secretaries.
Houston Ends Traffic Stop Quotas in Unanimous Vote
The Houston Police Department rescinded the policy imposing traffic stop quotas, and the city council amended the city code to ensure a similar policy could not be put in place again.
Houston Faces Lawsuit Over Continued Membership in Regional Planning Council
Voters approved Prop B in 2023, mandating that the city achieve proportional representation or leave the council.
Federal Court Temporarily Permits Llano County To Remove Explicit Books
The Fifth Circuit’s decision cuts into 30 years of its own precedent and could set the stage for a showdown before the U.S. Supreme Court.
House Advances Legislation on Prayer and Ten Commandments in Schools
Two of the three measures considered were legislative priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Harris County Commissioners Vote To Give Sheriff Deputies Pay Parity With Houston Police
Commissioner Rodney Ellis and County Judge Lina Hidalgo voted against the proposal.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Plans Return of Outsourced Inmates
District Attorney Sean Teare said earlier this year that he would not prosecute “nuisance crimes” in an effort to reduce jail overcrowding.