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Houston approves purchase of 35 electric vehicles for Houston Airport System
The Houston Airport System will receive 35 electric vehicles as part of the entity’s goal to commit to carbon neutrality by 2030 after Houston City Council approved the purchase Aug. 20.
The details: The $2.3 million purchase will provide the Houston Airport System, which manages and operates the William P. Hobby, George Bush Intercontinental and Ellington airports, with 25 light-duty electric vehicles, replacing 25 internal combustion emissions vehicles. This is expected to reduce the airport system’s carbon footprint, according to the agenda item.
Additionally, the purchase includes 10 electric service vans that will be used for the information technology and electrical support department, including operations and maintenance between Houston Airport System facilities, according to the agenda.
Something to note: The purchase of the vehicles is part of the airport system’s efforts to enhance its sustainability. HAS is a participant in the Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, according to a Sept. 11 news release in 2024.
Gulf Coast Blood opens new donor center, expands medical research program
Founded in 1975, the nonprofit recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and announced the opening of a new donor center, along with expanded programs, according to an August 19 news release from Gulf Coast Blood.
The details: The release stated the new donor center is located inside the Texas Medical Center and will feature next-generation technology, modern donation stations and calming design elements.
Additionally, representatives from Gulf Coast Blood said the nonprofit is partnering with biotech, pharmaceuticals and academic institutions to increase medical innovations and improve patient outcomes.
DATA: Housing affordability remains steady across Houston region
Home affordability in the Houston region decreased slightly according to the second-quarter housing affordability report from the Houston Association of Realtors.
At a glance: Out of the five major counties in the Houston region, Montgomery County had the highest rate of home affordability, with 46% of residents able to afford a median-priced home. The least affordable area was Harris County, where only 34% of residents are able to afford a median-priced home.
What else?: For those who rent homes, the average monthly payment across the region dropped from $2,190 to $2,100 a month. Galveston County saw the highest increase in monthly home rental prices, going from $2,100 to $2,175 per month.
Texas House approves mid-decade congressional redistricting plan
The Texas House signed off on a plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts Aug. 20. The vote came two days after approximately two dozen House Democrats ended a two-week walkout in protest of the redistricting effort.
The overview: Rep. Todd Hunter, a Corpus Christi Republican who filed the proposed map, said 37 of Texas’ 38 congressional districts would be redrawn, with “the primary changes focused [on] five districts for partisan purposes.”
“While there's no guarantee of electoral success, Republicans will now have an opportunity to potentially win these… five new districts,” Hunter said.
The debate: House Democrats decried Texas’ proposed map as “illegal and racially discriminatory,” arguing that it would “dilute” minorities’ voting power by dividing historically Black and Hispanic communities into multiple districts.
“Texans and Americans all across the country are watching,” Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, said. “They know this map before us is a calculated maneuver to diminish the voices of the very communities that power Texas.”
House Republicans maintained that race was not considered when the new lines were drawn.
