Abby Church

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Abby Church

A high-stakes lawsuit seeking to eradicate Houston’s minority business certification program now has a counterweight in a newly passed disparity study that says the program should remain in existence. Houston City Council on Wednesday approved the study in a 12-3 vote, with Council Members Mary Nan Huffman, Julian Ramirez and Twila Carter voting against the measure. Council Members Fred Flickinger and Abbie Kamin were absent from Wednesday’s meeting.

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Abby Church

Houston Mayor John Whitmire on Tuesday kept his promise to balance the city’s finances, unveiling a $7 billion budget with no tax increase or new fees for city residents. The city was facing a budget deficit of more than $330 million during Whitmire’s time in office. Whitmire credited department consolidations for eliminating part of the deficit. The city also saved money in a legal agreement that requires the city to invest millions more in streets and drainage — but not all at once.

1 week ago | houstonchronicle.com | Abby Church

In a dark, humid storage room at the Carl Walker Jr. Multi-Service Center in Houston’s Fifth Ward, around 150 folded-up cots hide behind tall stacks of cardboard and plastic boxes. In another room out the door and to the right, bean pasta survival meals are stacked from the floor to the ceiling on two adjoining silver shelves. Among the other supplies the center has access to: diapers for children and adults, mini fridges to store medications, water and ladders.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Abby Church

Houston is one step closer to getting a new $4.2 billion East Water Purification Plant off the ground after the city council approved a measure Wednesday aimed at securing more funds for the facility’s construction. Houston City Council rubber stamped an application for $966 million in State Water Implementation Funds for Texas, or SWIFT funds, to help bolster the project’s bill.

2 weeks ago | houstonchronicle.com | Abby Church

Houston’s longtime city secretary Pat Daniel, who has worked for the city for more than 41 years and was the first Black person to hold the role, is retiring. Her last day is May 1. The city secretary works one of the most important behind-the-scenes jobs at City Hall. In her position, Daniel was in charge of keeping all the records that came before the council on a weekly basis, such as agendas, meeting minutes, ordinances and motions.