May 13, 2025      5:38 PM

Updated: Frustrations boil over as House Transportation votes to advance bill to take $25 million per year from Harris County and give it to the City of Houston

Opponents call it a “money grab” and a “bailout” for Mayor Whitmire’s administration; supporters argue toll road money in Houston has become a “slush fund” for Harris County Commissioners Court

What do you know? It’s Houston people fighting with each other.

During a formal meeting of the Texas House Transportation Committee, tensions boiled over because of a vote to advance a long-stalled proposal to move millions from the Harris County Toll Road Authority to the City of Houston to help pay for police and firefighters.

Opponents call it a “money grab” by Mayor John Whitmire’s administration but supporters fire back that the city’s police and fire operations need to recoup costs for responding to emergencies on the toll roads.

For his part, Mayor Whitmire has tried to appear hands off about this. But the legislative veteran – formerly the longest serving member of the Texas Senate before this gig – was seen in the back hall of the Texas House in recent weeks to personally lobby the speaker’s operation about it.

He has good reason.

Copyright May 13, 2025, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved