In January, Houston experienced two weekends of frigid, below-freezing weather. Recalling the aftermath of 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, which left many without power for days, Houstonians feared a repeat. While comparing this year’s freeze to Uri, Mayor John Whitmire said, “The real hardship of the ‘21 winter storm was we had to end up boiling water.” Actually, 246 people died across the state due to that freeze. 

This year’s weather event was less severe. The city opened 12 warming centers largely used by the unhoused to escape the extreme weather. Some of them turned into impromptu clinics. 

The city didn’t open any warming centers in District F, so Councilmember Tiffany Thomas stepped in, activating the District F Disaster Plan, which partners with faith and nonprofit organizations to provide shelter and supplies to those in need. At the January 28 council meeting, Thomas said the city doesn’t fully grasp what’s needed to help people who are unhoused. “We literally had to go into the woods,” she said. “Go into the hidden parts of Houston.” Thomas said this experience was transformational for her in thinking about what more the city needs to do to help unhoused people.

For months, concerned citizens have been showing up at city council meetings to protest US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Houston and the city’s response to it. Things got particularly rowdy on January 26, during one of the few opportunities for evening public comment. There were chanting crowds and long lines to enter the chamber, and city disorganization kept some people from speaking. 

Mayor Whitmire ended the meeting, but agitated crowds were demanding to speak, so Councilmember Edward Pollard, District J, convened an impromptu session in another room. The next day, At-Large 2 City Councilmember Willie Davis criticized people’s decorum, calling the prior night’s public comment session “utterly ridiculous.” Several councilmembers supported the speakers, including newcomer Alejandra Salinas, who pledged to do everything in her power to prevent ICE-related violence in Houston. “Sometimes democracy is hard, and that's part of our job here,” Salinas said. 

Mayor Whitmire has defended the city’s policy on ICE, saying on January 21 that harsher consequences, such as losing federal funding, can result from disobedience. “We're doing exactly and only what the law requires. There are consequences of not following the law,” he said.

Some Houstonians support continued compliance with ICE. On February 18, five people spoke in support of ICE and HPD, saying they are “horrified” by rumors that the City Council will restrict HPD from reporting warrants to ICE or reduce minor traffic stops. Councilmember Salinas responded that state law is clear about how HPD reports warrants to ICE, and the city cannot break that law. She asked the speakers for help correcting the spread of that misinformation. Councilmembers Abbie Kamin of District C, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz of District D, and Pollard pushed back on some of the speakers’ points, condemning the inhumane treatment occurring at detention centers, police violence against nonviolent offenders, and some minor traffic stops that have triggered violent and fatal ICE interactions around the country. Discussion became heated when Evans-Shabazz and one of the speakers clashed on the topic of racial profiling during traffic stops.

HPD will continue to stick to state and federal law, reporting relevant warrants to ICE. Council did not discuss any official plans to restrict minor traffic stops, although Councilmember Salinas alluded that it might be a possibility.

On February 4, Controller Chris Hollins said the city is “dramatically over budget” on overtime spending with police, fire, and solid waste. Hollins said this is not shocking because it happens every year, and his office predicted it would happen again this year. Mayor Whitmire defended the budget excess by saying Houstonians expect service from police, fire, and solid waste, no matter the cost. District I Councilmember Joaquin Martinez said Hollins was being overly doom-and-gloom. “The sky is [not] falling,” Martinez said. “The sky's been where it's at for the last 10 years.” Both Councilmember Martinez and the mayor cut off Controller Hollins, talked over him, and would not let him reply. 

On February 11, City Council quietly approved $2 billion in bonds to expand the George R. Brown Convention Center. Bonds are to be repaid from future hotel revenue and occupancy tax, a mechanism made possible by a bill Whitmire passed in 2023 while he was a Texas state senator. (Voters usually approve bonds, but since these are financed by future tax revenue, this bill lets the city loop around that restriction.) The first phase of the expansion is set to open in 2028 and be completed in 2038. Best wishes to area residents and people who will have to deal with the resulting traffic and construction for the foreseeable future.

Primary elections are upon us. Early voting lasts until February 27, and Election Day is March 3. Visit harrisvotes.com to see where to vote and what’s on your ballot. Be warned: The ballot is long. Those down-ballot races are usually the most local, though, so don’t skip them. Plus, if you have been following City Council for a little while (which you have, right? because you’ve been reading this column…right??), you’ll recognize current and former councilmembers in other races, including Kamin, who is running for Harris County Attorney, and Leticia Plummer, who’s running for Harris County Judge.

Speaking of Plummer, one of her initiatives on City Council was apartment inspection reform. It didn’t get done before she left council, but it’s still in the works. Councilmembers Tiffany Thomas and Martha Castex-Tatum of District K hosted a community meeting on February 19 and have another planned for March 5, leading up to a committee meeting before the issue returns to council. Apartment living should still be good living. Let’s hope they can make it happen.