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News from May 2021
Harris County Commissioners Court supports 'the posthumous pardon of George Floyd' in new resolution
By Christina Heath | May 12, 2021
The Harris County Commissioners Court approved a resolution on May 11 that posthumously pardons a 2004 drug conviction on George Floyd's record.
Fletcher: Child tax credit sets ‘children up for success’
By Tamara Browning | May 12, 2021
A United States Congresswoman from Texas is praising a part of the American Rescue Plan after an announcement from Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig saying monthly payments from the new child tax credit will start in July.
Abbott faces Huffines for third term as governor as he strives to 'finish the wall, lower taxes and protect elections'
By David Beasley | May 12, 2021
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has drawn opposition for a third term from within his own party over criticism that he was too slow in reopening the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 hospitalizations at Texas Medical Center up 2% over past week
By Houston Daily reports | May 11, 2021
A total of 626 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Texas Medical Center facilities over the past week, a 2 percent increase from the previous week, according to TMC affiliates in the nine-county Houston area.
'A solemn reminder': National Police Week begins in Texas in midst of loss of two police officers in the line of duty
By John Kelly | May 11, 2021
National Police Week runs from May 9 to May 15 this year.
Turner eyes progress toward 'a renewed sense of international climate cooperation'
By John Sammon | May 11, 2021
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was one of 19 mayors of major cities around the world to participate in a virtual discussion on May 10 with Secretary of State John Kerry on how to deal with global climate change.
Texas Public Policy Foundation calls state House approval of election changes 'good first step'
By W.J. Kennedy | May 11, 2021
Election legislation approved by the Texas House late last week contained many of the changes sought by critics of what they view as loose voting procedures rushed into place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, they argue, the measures are still missing some critical provisions needed to re-instill public confidence in the voting process.
'Our electricity market isn't set up to value reliability': Policymakers criticize Texas energy grid unreliability
By Brenna Dugan | May 11, 2021
Texas policymakers call for reliability over renewability in Texas energy grid.
Abbott 'proud to welcome' NRG Energy headquarters to Houston
By Christina Heath | May 11, 2021
NRG Energy has announced its plan to move the company's corporate headquarters to Houston from New Jersey, Click 2 Houston reports.
Crenshaw makes first appearance post-emergency eye surgery, hopeful to 'return to some sense of normalcy'
By Trina Thomas | May 11, 2021
After emergency surgery for a detached retina, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) provided an update on his sight and recovery.
Energy Alliance analyst sees danger in Texas following 'capacity market' model of California, New York
By Karen Kidd | May 10, 2021
Switching from Texas' current electricity market structure to a "capacity market" will make electricity bills in the state go up but not make the grid, which teetered almost to a halt in February, more reliable, according to a recent report.
Texas House approves bill to ban homeless encampments, protect cities from 'violent or hazardous activity'
By Andy Nghiem | May 10, 2021
The Texas House of Representatives has approved legislation to ban homeless encampments in unapproved public spaces across the state.
'Texas is committed to eradicating human trafficking': House passes bill to raise minimum age of sex workers
By Andy Nghiem | May 10, 2021
To help combat human trafficking, the Texas House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to raise the minimum age of workers employed at sexually oriented businesses.
'We will never forget': Veasey joins fellow members of Congress in looking into Spc. Vanessa Guillén’s death
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 10, 2021
As revelations emerge that U.S. Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén made multiple reports of sexual harassment by her supervisor prior to being killed by a different soldier, members of Congress visited Fort Hood, where both soldiers were stationed, as part of ongoing investigations.
'Tim Tebow Bill' to give Texas home-school students equal access to public school extracurriculars on House floor for debate
By Karen Kidd | May 10, 2021
Legislation proposing that home-schooled children in Texas receive the same opportunities for extracurricular activities as public school students is currently on the State House floor today, indicating progress toward passage.
'This one is historic': Permitless carry bill headed to Abbott’s desk
By Benjamin Kibbey | May 10, 2021
The Texas Senate recently passed a bill that provides for “constitutional carry,” which supporters say removes requirements that individuals be licensed with the state in order to exercise rights related to gun ownership and the U.S. Constitution.
Turner, city council approve digital kiosks – 'We want the best for Houston'
By April Bamburg | May 7, 2021
Houston residents and visitors will soon see interactive digital kiosks in areas that see an abundance of pedestrian activity.
HAPS' Blues, Brews and Barbecue event comes back to 'raise funds for programs dedicated to those affected by Parkinson's disease'
By April Bamburg | May 6, 2021
The Houston Area Parkinson Society’s Blues, Brews and Barbecue event is coming back on Sunday, May 23.
Gonzalez 'honored and humbled' to be named president of Lone Star College Kingwood
By April Bamburg | May 6, 2021
Melissa N. Gonzalez, Ph.D., has been named president of the Lone Star College Kingwood campus, in which she will step into that role on Tuesday, June 1.
Hegar: Texas' 'economic recovery is accelerating' and shows surplus
By Christina Heath | May 6, 2021
Texas' current budget cycle will end on an economic high with a surplus of $725 million in general revenue.