Texas lawmakers have $20 billion in surplus
As Texas lawmakers saddle up and make their way to Austin, they can leave their budget cutting tools at home if they choose. That's because State Comptroller Glenn Hagar recently told business leaders that legislators will have about $20 billion surplus dollars at their disposal.
As Texas lawmakers saddle up and make their way to Austin, they can leave their budget cutting tools at home if they choose. That's because State Comptroller Glenn Hagar recently told business leaders that legislators will have about $20 billion surplus dollars at their disposal.
D.A. Sean Teare's recusal from alleged public corruption case
In his first major announcement, newly sworn District Attorney Sean Teare announced he's formerly recusing himself from any role in the prosecution of Judge Lina Hildago's trio of top aides facing felony charges.
In his first major announcement, newly sworn District Attorney Sean Teare announced he's formerly recusing himself from any role in the prosecution of Judge Lina Hildago's trio of top aides facing felony charges.
'Wasted dollars' on county administration role
"County Administrator." It is an unelected post created by the Democratic majority in 2021 to do a job previously performed by members of the Commissioners Court. Since then, Harris County Precinct Three Commissioner Tom Ramsey says the office has cascaded to 73 employees at an average cost of more than a quarter million dollars per position - with the administrator collecting a salary of $418,000 per year. Total annual cost of this previously unnecessary layer of government - nearly $24,700,000 tax dollars per year.
"County Administrator." It is an unelected post created by the Democratic majority in 2021 to do a job previously performed by members of the Commissioners Court. Since then, Harris County Precinct Three Commissioner Tom Ramsey says the office has cascaded to 73 employees at an average cost of more than a quarter million dollars per position - with the administrator collecting a salary of $418,000 per year. Total annual cost of this previously unnecessary layer of government - nearly $24,700,000 tax dollars per year.
Remembering former president Jimmy Carter
The nation will pay final homage to the 39th President on Tuesday. A Commander in Chief who drew enormous praise for the leadership and the service he consistently delivered long after his White House years.
The nation will pay final homage to the 39th President on Tuesday. A Commander in Chief who drew enormous praise for the leadership and the service he consistently delivered long after his White House years.
Houston man radicalized by ISIS attacks in New Orleans
The 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran responsible was a Houston resident, who, prior to striking, pledged his allegiance to ISIS.
The 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran responsible was a Houston resident, who, prior to striking, pledged his allegiance to ISIS.
What's Your Point? Dec. 22, 2024
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan and the "What's Your Point?" panel discuss the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan and the "What's Your Point?" panel discuss the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
Predictions for 2025
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan talks the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan talks the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
Push to legalize online betting in Texas
Texans who enjoy making a wager should keep an eye on the upcoming legislative session, where advocates of state-regulated online betting are once again making a strong push for legalization.
Texans who enjoy making a wager should keep an eye on the upcoming legislative session, where advocates of state-regulated online betting are once again making a strong push for legalization.
One-on-one with Senator Bettencourt
We are 16 days from the launch of the 89th Texas Legislative session. And when the gavel drops in the state Senate, few, if any lawmakers will have as much pure stroke as Houston Republican Paul Bettencourt, who's now pledging to eliminate the loophole which allows Democrats on Harris County Commissioners Court to pass the most punishing tax hike in recent history.
We are 16 days from the launch of the 89th Texas Legislative session. And when the gavel drops in the state Senate, few, if any lawmakers will have as much pure stroke as Houston Republican Paul Bettencourt, who's now pledging to eliminate the loophole which allows Democrats on Harris County Commissioners Court to pass the most punishing tax hike in recent history.
What does Trump's energy plan mean for Texas?
What Donald Trump's frequent battle cry could actually mean for the energy-rich state we all call home.
What Donald Trump's frequent battle cry could actually mean for the energy-rich state we all call home.
President-elect Trump promising to broker peace between Ukraine, Russia
Hundreds of thousands dead, even more gravely wounded as Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine nears completion of its third year. Can Donald Trump broker peace?
Hundreds of thousands dead, even more gravely wounded as Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine nears completion of its third year. Can Donald Trump broker peace?
President-elect Trump promising to pardon Jan. 6th rioters
The perpetrators of the Jan. 6th Capitol riot were promised a pardon by the incoming president. Will Donald Trump pick and choose or simply, order a mass release?
The perpetrators of the Jan. 6th Capitol riot were promised a pardon by the incoming president. Will Donald Trump pick and choose or simply, order a mass release?
Potential impact of tax cuts
Will Donald Trump's tax relief dig the deficit hole deeper or ignite a fresh era of prosperity and self-sustaining economic growth?
Will Donald Trump's tax relief dig the deficit hole deeper or ignite a fresh era of prosperity and self-sustaining economic growth?
President-elect Trump threatens new tariffs on Mexico, Canada
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan talks the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
FOX 26 Houston Political Reporter Greg Groogan talks the latest in local, statewide, and national politics.
Mayor Whitmire on dealing with future natural disasters
Live in Houston long enough, and you learn weather related disaster is more irregularity than anomaly. During his first year, Mayor Whitmire dealt with both a destructive windstorm and a full blown hurricane. While he had nothing but praise for first responders, both command and rank and file, Whitmire found himself absolutely furious over a major deficiency.
Live in Houston long enough, and you learn weather related disaster is more irregularity than anomaly. During his first year, Mayor Whitmire dealt with both a destructive windstorm and a full blown hurricane. While he had nothing but praise for first responders, both command and rank and file, Whitmire found himself absolutely furious over a major deficiency.
Mayor Whitmire's plans to deal with homelessness
According to Mayor John Whitmire's, 2025 will be a year of change for many of Houston's homeless. Whether they like it or not.
According to Mayor John Whitmire's, 2025 will be a year of change for many of Houston's homeless. Whether they like it or not.
Mayor Whitmire orders outside audit of tax increment reinvestment zones
Lately, members of council pretty shamelessly referred to tax increment reinvestment zones as a means of circumventing the voter approved property tax cap. So instead of combating blight, the Baker Institute at Rice says terraces have morphed into a mechanism which makes Houston's richest neighborhoods richer at the expense of less affluent areas of the city.
Lately, members of council pretty shamelessly referred to tax increment reinvestment zones as a means of circumventing the voter approved property tax cap. So instead of combating blight, the Baker Institute at Rice says terraces have morphed into a mechanism which makes Houston's richest neighborhoods richer at the expense of less affluent areas of the city.
Mayor Whitmire on 800 Middle St. project
John Whitmire takes aim at a corrupt and contaminated low income housing project that is likely to cost taxpayers more than $100 million.
John Whitmire takes aim at a corrupt and contaminated low income housing project that is likely to cost taxpayers more than $100 million.
Whitmire initiates outside audit of every facet of municipal government
As John Whitmire took office, there was no more glaring example of dysfunction than the city's chronically broken water billing system, a system which spit out inexplicable four and five figure monthly tabs blindsiding everyday Houstonians with liabilities they couldn't pay.
As John Whitmire took office, there was no more glaring example of dysfunction than the city's chronically broken water billing system, a system which spit out inexplicable four and five figure monthly tabs blindsiding everyday Houstonians with liabilities they couldn't pay.
Mayor Whitmire forgoes major tax hike, collaborates with Austin
Holding the line on taxes and mending the city's fractured relationship with leaders at the state capitol. In his first year, Mayor John Whitmire managed to do both.
Holding the line on taxes and mending the city's fractured relationship with leaders at the state capitol. In his first year, Mayor John Whitmire managed to do both.