Houston – Mayor John Whitmire’s $7 billion budget proposal avoids raising taxes—but some say it does so at a cost, cutting essential services.
People packed City Hall on Wednesday, speaking out against what they call a dangerous plan.
Our Re’Chelle Turner has been following the heated debate—and spoke with those demanding change.
Inside council chambers, the pushback was loud and clear.
From activists to everyday Houstonians, many say this budget misses the mark—and could leave vulnerable communities behind.
“I believe we can do better for Houston,” one speaker said.
Houstonians aren’t holding back. They’re pushing back on the mayor’s proposed $7 billion budget. The mayor says his budget puts public safety first by funding HPD, HFD and BARC.
“Mayor, I’m speaking. It is wasteful to build a freeway through Houston that won’t fix traffic as we invite a global audience here for the World Cup. People across the globe make fun of Houston because of our state leadership,” one speaker said.
The budget is officially on the table—a plan that closes a $330 million gap without raising taxes or fees. But critics say the way it balances the books comes with long-term consequences.
It leans on departmental consolidations, voluntary retirements, and citywide cost-cutting—but that also could mean millions slashed from public works, health, parks, libraries, and neighborhood services.
Groups like the Northeast Action Collective say their neighborhoods are already underfunded—and these cuts will only make things worse.
“For us, a big one is Public Works, the Public Works Department. We’ve worked closely with them for like the last three years. They’re losing about a thousand people. They were already understaffed, “Courtney Revels said.
“I live in the North area. The infrastructure is crumbling, and they’re doing nothing about it. They promised, but nothing is being done productive. They may have to do something, but they don’t complete it. They’ll start projects,” Carolyn Addison Rivera said.
Controller Chris Hollins must certify the city has enough money to fund the proposed budget before city council approve the plan.
On Tuesday, Hollins laid out a list of “hard truths” about Whitmire’s proposed budget
“Number one, we have a deficit of over $100 million, and that’s the best-case scenario. It can get a lot worse than that, as I mentioned with the lawsuit. Number two, there’s a tax increase here. The city is projecting an increase in property tax revenue that’s not covered by the actual increase in the value of our properties. And so, there’s an implied tax increase that’s going to have to be voted on this fall to even achieve the numbers that are in this budget. There’s also an increase in fees. Water fees are going to be going up 6% in this budget,” Hollins shared.
The proposal still must pass through City Council. A vote could happen at the next council meeting.
READ:Mayor John Whitmire talks public safety improvements in one-on-one KPRC 2 interview