Residents voiced concerns at a Pearland City Council meeting that the current early voting window for the upcoming general election, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., overlaps with business hours, making it difficult for working people and families to vote.

What you need to know: Residents’ concerns at Pearland City Council’s March 16 meeting prompted the city to commit to ask Brazoria County for data on voter turnout from previous elections where the voting window was extended and discuss the possibility of expanding that window for future elections at a December joint election planning meeting.

In their own words: Pearland resident Susan Matthews said she felt the early-voting hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. were “not exactly user-friendly to working families,” and pointed to nearby communities with longer voting hours. 

Next steps: Mayor Kevin Cole said that in previous elections, the window to vote early had been wider, and he supported asking the county for clarity on why the hours changed this year.

Manvel City Council will apply for funding through the State Homeland Security Program’s LETPA, or Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities, which is designed to help cities respond to threats of terrorism and targeted violence, following approval at its March 16 meeting.

What you need to know: Regional security assessments by the Houston Galveston Area Council identified ongoing capability gaps in first responder preparedness and response to complex coordinated attacks, according to city documents.

The city will request between $250,000 and $350,000 to address the gaps, according to city documents. If awarded, the projects could begin in early September, according to the Texas Governor’s Public Safety Office grant website.

If awarded, the projects could begin in early September, according to the Texas Governor’s Public Safety Office grant website.

Harris County Commissioners Court will review more than 450 agenda items March 19, including a public hearing on the proposed parkland acquisition for Ben Taub Hospital's expansion as well as potential changes to the county's criminal legal system.

The overview: In compliance with Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Code, commissioners will hear from community members about the proposed acquisition of 8.9 acres of Hermann Park to make way for a $410 million expansion of Ben Taub Hospital. 

Hospital officials say the expansion is critical to address bed capacity limitations at the Level I trauma facility. However, some residents are concerned with the potential environmental implications. 

Also on the agenda: Commissioners are also set to discuss potential operational and fiscal changes to county's legal system as a result of Senate Bill 9, a 2021 law that shifted bail-setting authority for certain violent offenses to elected judges.

Stay tuned: Harris County Commissioners Court meetings are held at 9 a.m. in Downtown Houston. The administration building is located at 1001 Preston St., Houston.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials have announced a new dress code for entry, beginning March 17.

Sorting out details: The Rodeo has provided an update on its code of conduct for guests, according to its website.

The following is prohibited:

• Clothing with "objectionable" material, such as obscene language or graphics
• Excessively torn clothing or visible undergarments exposing excessive portions of the skin
• Clothing or other attire of affiliation with a criminal street gang
• Clothing or apparel that intentionally obscures the face, unless worn for cultural or religious reasons or a medical condition