Houston · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Houston public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Withdrawal of DOJ Model Cities Grant Application
Texas Civil Rights Project and Rice Houston coalition speakers pressed the council to adopt five policy reforms requiring full-council votes and public hearings before applying for public-safety or surveillance grants, after the city's Model Cities application became public. The mayor has talked about withdrawing the application, but speakers want structural safeguards.
Multi-Family Rental Building Safety
Two elderly residents said gates and building doors at the 144-unit Campanile complex repeatedly block fire and EMS crews, with keys missing and gates left open for days. Council Members Peck and Davis committed to working with HFD and the property owner on a fix.
Adviser Salary Dispute
Houston's Mayor and City Controller got into a messy public fight at a city council meeting over how much a top adviser is getting paid. It's a bad look for city hall as top leaders publicly clash over taxpayer dollars.