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.
Houston
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.
Posted in
Economy
How to pay for a $12 billion bullet train without asking Texas for money
Texas Central Partners says global interest in American infrastructure will fund and finance a high-speed rail line from Dallas to Houston. Experts and critics are more skeptical.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
New Harris County policy reignites marijuana decriminalization debate
After Harris County’s move to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, Texas lawmakers disagree about whether local jurisdictions have the discretion to enact such policies.
Posted in
Politics
Dallas freeway becomes national target for highway teardown movement
After spending years as a target of Dallas activists, I-345 is now among a list of U.S. highways that a national group thinks should be torn down. But a lot may have to happen before city leaders decide the freeway’s fate.
Posted in
Politics
In Houston, DNC chair candidates talk fighting Trump, turning Texas blue
At a forum in Houston Saturday, the 10 candidates for Democratic National Committee chair trained almost all their fire on President Trump, assailing him as a threat to Democracy who deserves little, if any, Democratic cooperation.
Posted in
Politics
Tens of thousands participate in Texas women’s marches
The day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, tens of thousands of Texans took part in marches across the state Saturday during Texas’ multiple iterations of the Women’s March on Washington.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Whitmire may avoid some pension votes amid conflict-of-interest concerns
After some Dallas City Council members voiced concerns this week over Whitmire’s work at a law firm whose client list includes city pension fund boards, the Houston Democrat said he would likely abstain from voting on Dallas-specific bills.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Rangers launch criminal probe into Dallas’ pension shortfall
Mayor Mike Rawlings blames former pension administration for a “grave breach of trust,” but it’s unclear who is the target of the state inquiry.
