Protests erupt at Houston City Hall after council passes Mayor Whitmire's $7.5B budget
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Protests erupted in Houston City Hall on Wednesday afternoon after the city council passed the new annual budget.
In a vote of 15-1, Mayor John Whitmire's $7.5 billion budget proposal was passed by the city council. Whitmire has said his budget protects city services and puts Houston on a solid financial path moving forward.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Houston's $7.5 billion budget proposal soon to be finalized
"We're heading in the right direction," Whitmire said. "It's very transparent. No one says this cures all of our challenges."
One of the more notable aspects of the new budget is a $5-a-month fee for trash collection.
Whitmire said the city will start charging the fee in July. Neighbors will start to see it on the water bills in August.
Right now, it applies to anyone who uses the services. However, in two weeks, the council will consider tapping into a fund to provide financial assistance.
"Since the new leadership in solid waste and public works has been assisting them for several months now, there's been a reduction in calls and concerns," Whitmire said. "Response time has improved. I think you can expect noticeable improved services real soon."
Whitmire's office also sent a statement at the beginning of June in support of the budget, stating in part:
"His proposed budget has strong support from a cross-section of business, labor unions, and nonprofit organizations. This budget is about protecting services, protecting workers, and putting Houston on solid financial planning."
After the vote was passed on Wednesday at about 1:30 p.m., a group of people began blowing whistles and chanting in the city council chambers, seemingly in protest against the new budget.
"Red card, red card, budget cuts have gone too far," the group repeatedly chanted once they were removed from the chambers.
Eyewitness News was at the scene when the budget passed and captured video of the protests at City Hall.
ABC13 spoke with protestors afterwards. They expressed budget concerns about the city's sewage fund, which will receive less money because of a new utility right-of-way fee.
"We see year after year cuts to our drainage, to our water systems, to solid waste, and to sewage and police continue to get raises year after year," Northeast Action Collective member Stephany Valdez explained.
Whitmire said there's enough money to still do wastewater projects, and he added the change won't impact drainage or flooding projects.
The budget has also been a point of contention between Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins.
Hollins didn't get a say in what goes into the budget, but he is responsible for certifying the final version of it. His office has gained notoriety in recent weeks for posting memes online that criticize Whitmire's proposal.
"It's disappointing that Council approved a budget that repeats deficit spending, pushes the City closer to minimum reserve thresholds, and shifts more costs onto working families," Hollins stated in part after the passing of the budget. "This budget is not sensible, sustainable, or good for Houston's future. We need to protect Houston's long-term financial health. There is no question today's budget makes that job more difficult."
The budget goes into effect on July 1.
