Harris County commissioners allocated an additional $19 million to the Harris County Sheriff's and Fire Marshal’s offices to support ongoing capital improvement projects across eight law enforcement facilities.

The overview: The May 14 vote increased funding from $100 million to $119.73 million for the projects, which aim to enhance resiliency and technology at facilities in the HCSO’s patrol districts, according to agenda documents.

Some context: Harris County voters approved a $100 million bond in 2022 to support improvements at public safety facilities, also known as Proposition A. In May 2024, Commissioners Court then allocated approximately $82.7 million in bond funds to HCSO’s proposed projects as well as $10 million for administrative costs and about $7.3 million for contingency—totaling $100 million—county documents show.

More details: The additional funding will help ensure the facilities meet updated safety codes and ensure operational resilience with enhancements such as generators, security infrastructure and structural remediation.

Looking forward: All projects are on track for construction by late 2026 and early 2027, with estimated completion slated for the second quarter of 2028. 

The Lone Star College Foundation marked 35 years since its founding at an annual fundraiser where more than $524,500 was raised to help students in need.

Something to know: The foundation was created in 1991 and has since helped 27,000 students. Designed to help students attend Lone Star College campuses despite financial obstacles, the LSCF offers scholarships, money for textbooks and emergency aid. Since its founding, the organization has raised:

• $30 million in scholarships
• $14.7 million in emergency aid

The April Housing Market Update from the Houston Association of Realtors reports an increase in inventory in the Houston market this month. Along with the increase in inventory, the average price for a single-family home decreased.

By the numbers: According to HAR, the average single-family home price decreased in April by 1.4% to $428,709—a drop from $434,925 last April. Active single-family listings grew by 6.5% year over year, allowing home buyers to have more options in a more stable market, according to the report.

This increase in property sales is in line with the HAR report released in March. As previously reported by Community Impact, the single-family home sales in March increased by 3.7% with 7,644 homes sold.

“More inventory is giving buyers room to breathe again,” HAR Chair Theresa Hill said. “Homes are still moving, but consumers have more time to make decisions and more leverage during negotiations.”

The Texas Supreme Court on May 15 denied Gov. Greg Abbott’s request to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office after the Houston Democrat led his colleagues in a walkout to protest congressional redistricting last summer.

The details: In the court’s majority opinion, Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock ruled that because Wu and other House Democrats “voluntarily returned” to the Capitol two weeks after their August departure, it was not necessary for the court to get involved.

The court also rejected a petition by Attorney General Ken Paxton to expel Wu and 12 other Democrats over the walkout, consolidating the two requests in one ruling.

What they're saying: Wu celebrated the ruling in a May 15 statement, saying that "the Constitution does not let a governor erase voters’ choices when their choices are inconvenient to him."

Abbott's office argued the governor's August lawsuit helped end the walkout and said the state was prepared to fight future quorum breaks: "If Democrats abandon their offices again, the governor will bring them right back to the Texas Supreme Court."