Amid efforts by the Legislature to address immediate pension crises in Houston and Dallas, some see an opportunity to push for a sea change in how cities fund pensions. Critics predict such a move could drive first responders away in droves.
Houston
Posted in
Economy
Texas leaders to Trump: Houston area needs billions for hurricane protection
Dozens of Texas politicians and business leaders are urging President Donald Trump to commit $15 billion toward protecting the Houston area from a devastating hurricane.
Posted in
State Government
Dallas officials say state lawmakers share blame for city’s pension woes
Amid a legislative session that aims to fix massive pension shortfalls in two of Texas’ biggest cities, Dallas officials argue it’s state law that created some of their current problems in the first place.
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Criminal Justice
In Dallas and Houston, pension fights escalating, sparking unexpected debates
Houston and Dallas leaders were supposed to each be united on how they wanted state lawmakers to address their respective pension shortfalls before the legislative session even began. (Spoiler alert: They’re still not.)
Posted in
Economy
Texas cities predict dozens of canceled events if “bathroom bill” passes
Tourism officials in the state’s four biggest cities expect to lose at least $407 million in revenue from upcoming events if the “bathroom bill” becomes law. Scores more event planners are likely to bypass Texas entirely in the future, they say.
Posted inState Government
Trump signs NASA bill aimed at landing on Mars
President Trump signed a bill Tuesday authorizing $19.5 billion dollars in funding for NASA. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, one of the bill’s sponsors, attended the bill ceremony.
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State Government
Stolen after Super Bowl in Houston, Tom Brady’s jersey recovered in Mexico
After being stolen from the Patriots’ locker room at NRG Stadium in Houston last month after the Super Bowl, quarterback Tom Brady’s jersey was traced to Mexico, according to officials involved in the investigation.
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Criminal Justice
Mayors say Texas, U.S. politics increasingly undermine city needs
A major source of division among cities and state officials is differing opinions on what local control means — and to whom it provides the power to govern.
Posted inState Government
Turner on pensions, recapture and sanctuary cities (video)
Full video of Evan Smith’s 2/27 conversation with Sylvester Turner, the mayor of Houston.
Posted in
Economy
Texas’ rural roots and urban future are on a high-speed collision course
A private firm’s proposed Houston-Dallas bullet train would connect two of America’s biggest metropolitan areas. But the 240-mile line would require a lot of country land that many Texans don’t want to give up.
