The subsidy presents a conundrum amid the Whitmire administration’s efforts to eliminate a budget deficit that is expected to top $200 million.
Hanna Holthaus
Hanna is the City Hall reporter at the Houston Landing. Previously, she reported at the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville on local government and independent authorities. Prior to that, she worked on The Washington Post’s investigative team as a graduate reporter through American University, where she earned her Master's degree in Journalism and Public Affairs. She previously interned at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She graduated with a degree in Global Journalism and Spanish from Webster University.
Posted inPolitics & Government
City Council OKs contract giving Houston municipal workers 12 percent raises over 3 years
Employees will get an additional $116 per pay period in the first year, and base wages will increase by 3.5 percent in the second and third years.
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Hollins asks to expand pay-to-play investigation to Whitmire’s state of the city address
Hollins said he did not think either office had committed violations, but any probe should be expanded to the mayor’s event to “ensure fairness.”
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Whitmire accuses Controller of ‘pay to play’ politics, but mayor’s events also take sponsorships
Mayor John Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins traded barbs in dueling press conferences Thursday, each alleging the other has conflicts of interest by providing special access to private companies looking to do business with the city.
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Houston will keep last year’s tax rate. Will audits produce enough savings to erase deficit?
Houstonians will not face a tax rate hike, but the city’s finances remain uncertain as officials wait for audits to help offset a sizable deficit.
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Houston council members drop tax hike plan after governor announces disaster relief funds
The governor’s announcement prompted a quartet of City Council members to withdraw their proposal to raise the city’s property tax rate 5 percent.
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Houston may try to expand emergency telehealth program to nearby cities to bolster funding
Under the existing program, residents who call 911 can speak with a doctor to decide the best way to proceed before racking up emergency room bills.
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Houston council members pitch 5 percent property tax hike. Whitmire calls for no change.
The council members say the higher rate would enable the city to avoid $86 million in spending cuts and cover $40 million in disaster cleanup costs.
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Houston has a ‘negative’ credit outlook. Will it push leaders to raise property taxes?
City Controller Chris Hollins warned Houston must provide a plan to stabilize its finances or risk increased costs from a lower credit rating.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Houston libraries will go back to charging for copying, printing despite equity concerns
The library system began offering copy and printing services for free last year, but Director Sandy Gaw now says the cost is “no longer sustainable.”