As swamped officials struggled to respond to a deadly crisis Sunday, southeast Texans were bracing for their troubles to multiply over the coming week. Harvey is on track to produce even more devastating floods.
Houston
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Why not evacuate before Harvey? Houston leaders defend their calls to stay put
As Harvey’s waters strand thousands of folks in their homes and send some onto rooftops — a chorus of onlookers have asked: Why didn’t more local officials order mandatory evacuations?
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Ahead of Hurricane Harvey, officials send Texans mixed messages on evacuations
In the hours before Hurricane Harvey hits Texas, some local leaders told residents to flee their homes, while others urged them to stay in place and wait out the storm.
Posted inEnvironment
Boomtown, Flood Town: Unchecked development and the risks for Houston
Rapid development continues in Houston, creating some economic gains but also contributing to flood risks. This 2016 project, done in partnership with ProPublica, looks at those risks and the debate over what to do.
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Criminal Justice
How a “perfect storm” of problems has shrunk Texas’ largest city police forces
Texas’ two biggest city police departments are losing officers because of troubled pension funds and low pay. The shrinking ranks have paired with rising violent crime rates, longer call response times and fewer solved crimes.
Posted in
Demographics
Houston votes to join other Texas cities in lawsuit over new immigration law, Senate Bill 4
The Houston City Council voted 10–6 Wednesday morning to join a growing lawsuit against Senate Bill 4, an immigration enforcement law that allows peace officers to question the immigration status of people they legally detain.
Posted in
Blocked Out
Despite “Texas miracle,” affordable housing difficult for many urban dwellers
A new Harvard study found that Americans — especially poorer ones — are having a harder time find a suitable place to call home. Texas lawmakers, experts and development industry leaders say there are plenty of reasons why that’s true here, too.
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State Government
Houston pension bill heads for governor’s desk, but firefighters are still mad
The House passed a controversial Senate version of a Houston pension bill, angering firefighters. But in Dallas, leaders appear to have coalesced around a bill that once divided the mayor and first responders in that city.
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Transportation
Opponents of proposed Dallas-Houston bullet train push lawmakers to kill it
As the legislative session reaches its final weeks, opponents of a private firm’s plans to build a bullet train line between Dallas and Houston are urging lawmakers will pass one of several bills that would likely kill it.
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State Government
Texas Senate passes bill overhauling Houston’s troubled pension systems
On a 25-5 vote, the Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at overhauling Houston’s troubled pension funds. The bill’s author also added a provision that could shift future employees to new retirement system if shortfalls worsen or persist.
