Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Houston public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in budget with medium priority
Transit Budget
METRO just locked in a massive $1.7 billion budget, but it's causing friction by redirecting $40 million away from public transit and straight into local roads. Transit advocates are pretty frustrated because they want those funds used for actual buses and trains instead of car infrastructure.
Solar Energy Funding
Good news for Houston's green energy scene: a federal judge just ruled the EPA illegally yanked $250 million in Texas solar grants, meaning Harris County could soon get its hands back on $54 million for local projects. That's a massive injection of cash that was supposed to fund clean energy right in our backyard.
Mental Health Funding
Houston's mental health response teams are slammed with calls right now, and city leaders are scrambling to figure out how to pay for them long-term. If you care about public safety or rely on these programs, you'll want to keep an eye on upcoming council budget battles.