Editor's note: This is our new politics and government newsletter, The Agenda, going out to all our Launchpad subscribers just this week. If you don't want to miss the next one, click here to subscribe for free.

Hey y'all,

The Houston Landing is reshaping our local government coverage with a renewed emphasis on accountability, from city and county spending to neighborhoods, housing affordability to public safety, and, of course, politics.

Here's what you can expect from us:

Watchdog reporting, tracking the billions of taxpayer dollars spent by Houston and Harris County each year to ensure they are being used as intended.

Additionally, solutions reporter Tim Carlin will look to other cities and states to see what works and what could be adapted here.

We also have two new weekly features:

State of H-Town — A notebook-style column from reporter Paul Cobler, wrapping up the latest in Houston-area politics.

Receipts — A brief spotlight by data reporter José Luis Martínez on the myriad of things the city and county spend your money on that you probably never think about. The first is a look at how much it costs the city to outfit a firefighter (more than you might think).

The Agenda — Want to be the first to read these stories? Make sure you're subscribed to this newsletter. Senior audience engagement editor Angelica Arinze will send it your way Friday mornings, rounding up our government and politics reporting each week.

— Matt Schwartz, team leader

P.S. Got a tip, question or comment for the team? Send it our way.

Houston Landing file photo / Mark Felix

Whitmire recall longshot, appointed judges and misinformation legislation

The politics of parks, recalls and judicial appointments

Paul Cobler

POLITICS REPORTER

It's been another busy week in Houston politics, with the recall effort against Mayor John Whitmire making headlines and a bail reform effort based on misinformation making its way through the Texas Capitol. We have a breakdown on both of those stories, plus a look at losing political candidates receiving a promotion in the form of a judicial appointment by the governor.

Whitmire has rankled multiple activist groups since taking office at the beginning of 2023, leading to a group announcing a recall campaign last year. That effort is nearing its launch of the 30-day window to gather 63,000 signatures, making headlines and drawing a curt response from Whitmire during a City Hall press conference on Wednesday.

We also take a look at losing Republican candidates who are now judges thanks to appointments by Gov. Greg Abbott. Sometimes coming up short in an election can pay off in the long run.

And, it is time to start watching state Sen. Joan Huffman's Senate Bill 40 again. The bill will soon be before a Texas House of Representatives committee for a hearing, despite it being based almost entirely on online misinformation.

COMMUNITY

Newcomer and lifelong resident team up to launch Fourth Ward super neighborhood

By Akhil Ganesh

Antranik Tavitian / Houston Landing

MONEY

Houston expected to spend twice as much on overtime as city leaders budgeted this year

By Hanna Holthaus

Meredith Kohut for Houston Landing

MONEY

Houston's overtime spending expected to top the controller's projections at $148 million

By Hanna Holthaus

Joseph Bui file photo for Houston Landing

We hold leaders accountable. You make it possible.

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José Luis Martínez for Houston Landing

It takes a lot of green to keep Houston's parks green.

And by green, we don't just mean grass, we mean money. Around $25.5 million to be exact.

Who to call: Have you been a victim of mail theft recently? If so, you're not alone — a recent audit conducted by the USPS found that security lapses at some Houston area post offices have made residents increasingly vulnerable to mail theft. If you've been impacted, here's how to report it.

Where to go: Tax season is upon us — and the deadline to file is fast approaching. Does the thought of starting stress you out? Me too. Either way, don't fret: Kendall Neighborhood Library is partnering with AARP to hold a free tax help session this Saturday. Head to the event with your tax documents, leave with one thing crossed off your to-do list.

What to read: How does Sylvester Turner Ave. sound to you? Well one Houston City Council member is considering putting forth a proposal to rename a downtown Houston street to honor the late mayor and congressman. At least 75% of property owners on the street must sign and submit a petition before the change can take effect.

"If the goal is really to get citizens more involved in this process, then you need to bring politics to them, rather than expecting them to come to politics."

— Justin Kirkland, professor of politics and policy at the University of Virginia

That's all, folks!

Thanks for sticking with us 'till the end. What did you think of this week's column? Are you going to any public meetings or other local political events? Let us know!

Angelica Arinze
Senior audience engagement producer

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