Politics
What to know about Harris County's election challenges
Photo: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg via Getty Images
With furniture mogul Jim McIngvale's new lawsuit targeting public records from Harris County's 2022 election, here's your catch-up-quick on the long list of election challenges the county is facing in response to voting issues, including a paper shortage and late poll openings.
Driving the news: McIngvale, known to many as Gallery Furniture's Mattress Mack, is suing the county over records related to the election.
Houston might lose LGBTQ+ representation in City Hall
Houston City Hall lights up in rainbow colors in 2016. Photo: Jay R. Jordan/Axios
Houston is at risk of losing LGBTQ+ representation in elected office.
State of play: Since Annise Parker joined city government in 1998 as a City Council member and went on to serve as mayor from 2010 to 2016, Houston has always had at least one LGBTQ+ leader in elected office.
How to spend our share of the state surplus
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
It's raining money here in Texas. What could be in it for Houston?
Driving the news: Texas is sitting on an unprecedented $32.7 billion state surplus.
Another push to eliminate Texas' Confederate holiday
Houston state Rep. Jarvis Johnson is once again trying to abolish Confederate Heroes Day.
Why it matters: In the same week that the country celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.'s racial justice and civil rights legacy, Texas continues to honor the Confederacy with a holiday.
Houston-area legislators to watch in the 2023 session
State Sen. John Whitmire. Photo: Sergio Flores/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Houston has some high-profile lawmakers headed to Austin for the session.
- See who represents you here.
League City creates book challenge process
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
League City approved a plan where books for minors that contain "obscenity or other harmful content" in the public library can be challenged by residents.
Driving the news: City Council members voted 4-3 on Tuesday night to prohibit the city from spending tax dollars on children's books that feature certain topics.
What you could buy with Harris County judge's race spending money
This year's Harris County judge's race was expensive.
Driving the news: If you combined all the money Alexandra Mealer and Lina Hidalgo spent on the Harris County judge's race since July 1, you could buy 2.9 million $4 tacos.
Some Texas schools closing for Election Day due to safety concerns
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Some Texas schools will be closed on Nov. 8 as districts navigate the safety risks that come with being polling sites in the wake of school shootings and threats to poll workers.
Yes, but: That won't include Houston ISD. The largest school district in the state, serving more than 194,000 students, will mostly remain open.
Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Houston.