The details
The city's legislative principles help instruct the Houston's Intergovernmental Relations department staff and lobby team in Austin, according to the agenda item.
Houston City Council unanimously approved seven legislative priorities for the city, according to the agenda:
General government
City officials said they oppose unfunded state mandates that would negatively affect the city's fiscal operations, as well as legislation that would diminish the city's local authority on its rights of way, municipal premises, public safety, revenue collection, city operations or other local programs.
The city does support legislation that would fund community needs such as water infrastructure, air quality, health care, public safety, housing, transportation and disaster recovery.
Water
The city is supporting efforts to bolster the city’s water infrastructure for drinking water transportation, supply and treatment. The city also wants to support initiatives that allow local governments to access resources to quickly provide financial recovery services, such as grants and zero interest loans from the Texas Water Development Board. Finally, the city supports legislation that would aid in the city’s efforts of flood mitigation and resilience.
Public safety and criminal justice
Public safety has been a constant priority in Whitmire’s administration, an issue he has touted and emphasized as he bolsters city initiatives to increase police staffing and oversight, according to prior reporting.
When it comes to public safety legislation, the city supports legislation that provides increased funding for law enforcement agencies to increase personnel, invest in new technologies and preserve the current workforce. They also support legislation and funding that would expand on mental health system accessibility and best practices for systemwide improvements.
Most recently, the city of Houston and Houston Police Department have been working on cleaning up the police department’s evidence room, filled with 1.2 million pieces of evidence, causing “drug-addicted rats” to infest the room. Relatedly, city officials said they support legislation and funding in coordination with Houston Forensic Science Center to better address workforce development and the processing and storage of evidence.
Addressing homelessness
Homelessness in Houston is an ongoing issue in the city. Whitmire announced in November tentative details on a $70 million pilot program intended to deal with the city's homelessness issue.
To help address homelessness, Houston officials support legislation that would fund resources in the public mental health sector, support reasonable enforcement of emergency detention orders and involuntary commitment for the safety of those in need of mental health services. The city also supports legislation that provides flexibility in arranging affordable and stable housing.
Mobility
Houston officials said they support legislation and administrative efforts to expand transportation funding that would connect the region, implement transportation projects, decrease traffic congestion, increase pedestrian safety and enhance mobility to allow for economic opportunities for Houstonians.
Economic development
City officials support legislation that would enhance economic development and foster job creation in Houston, as well as allow continued cooperation between special districts and municipalities to enhance community development.
Additionally, city officials pointed out their support to improve the economic viability of the Houston Spaceport at Ellington, including funding for the Spaceport Trust Fund. The Houston Spaceport is the nation's 10th commercial spaceport and functions as a launch and landing site for suborbital, reusable launch vehicles. It also offers laboratory office space with large-scale hardware production facilities for research purposes. The Spaceport Trust Fund is funding to support the development of infrastructure necessary for establishing a spaceport.
Environment and public utilities
Houston has been hit with environmental issues for years, according to prior reporting, most recently Hurricane Beryl that left some Houstonians without power for weeks. The city supports legislation that can reduce demand on the grid while providing better electric security for residential and commercial purchasers.
City officials support legislative efforts to assist Houston in improving air quality and addressing flooding and drainage challenges. They also support legislation that would give residents more influence in environmental permitting in their neighborhoods.
In the energy field, the city supports legislation that would strengthen local governments’ regulatory authority and oversight over the energy industry to protect local interests and make delivery systems more reliable and resilient.
Finally, Houston supports legislation that requires facilities that house seniors and other vulnerable populations to provide backup power during a disaster.
What council members said
Pollard asked if the city will have outside lobbyists who can allow Houston to be heard during the legislative session.
“With every other city, with every other corporate entity and advocacy group having consultants and lobbyists, I do think it is important for the city of Houston to protect our interests with individuals that can be there full time for us that are outside the administration,” Pollard said.
Whitmire said he believes the city doesn’t need lobbyists, as it has “six very capable, diverse qualified outside assistants” from the city of Houston Intergovernmental Relations team to be the voice for Houston.
Whitmire also pointed out that before he took office, City Council approved a two-year agreement with Locke Lord LLP for state lobbying services for the city of Houston. However, the contract was cancelled once Whitmire took office.
“We’re not going to have 17 members, as you voted on two years ago,” Whitmire said. “That’s what’s creating an issue in Austin, some cities like Houston go out and hire 17 outside lobbyists, most identified as friends of the mayor.”
Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum said she hopes to see legislation restricting “bandit signs.” According to the Office of the Harris County Attorney, bandit signs are illegal posters visible from the public right of way, usually stapled to a telephone pole or sidewalk, that blocks a driver’s field of vision or infringes on sidewalk access.
“I’ve tried to pass bandit sign legislation for two sessions,” Castex-Tatum said. “We have gotten it through the Senate, and not through the House twice. I’m hoping that this third time will be a charm, and that we can really increase the fines for folks that blanket our communities with these predatory signs.”
