With weeks left in Houston’s mayor race, state Sen. John Whitmire has gone on a spending spree to maintain his lead over Sheila Jackson Lee.
Paul Cobler / Staff writer
Paul Cobler covers politics for the Houston Landing. Paul returns to Texas after covering city hall for The Advocate in Baton Rouge. During two-and-a-half years at the newspaper, he spearheaded local accountability reporting about a variety of topics and local agencies. A University of Texas graduate from Victoria, Paul previously worked in Washington, D.C., for the Dallas Morning News as a post-graduate fellow. Paul's reporting on local and state politics has been published in newspapers across Texas. When he's not working, he can be found playing sand volleyball or petting his cat, Lil Bit.
Posted inElections
New UH poll shows little change in Houston mayor’s race, with Whitmire and Lee still on top
Just four weeks from election day, the Houston mayor’s race remains a two-person contest, the Hobby School of Public Affairs poll shows.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Abbott, lawmakers may target Liberty County housing development during special session
It is unclear what the governor wants lawmakers to do, but he said he was concerned the development is flouting Texas’ ban on “sanctuary cities.”
Posted inEducation
Miles defends Houston ISD overhaul amid hecklers, criticism at Texas Tribune Festival
Miles discussed his “New Education System” at HISD, the roadmap for broader district reform and what his efforts mean for education throughout Texas.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Houston mayoral candidates push permit reform, rental assistance to boost affordable housing
About three-quarters of Houston residents say affordable housing needs to be a priority for the next mayor, according to a Kinder Institute survey.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Lina Hidalgo says she will return to work full time Oct. 2, thanks residents for support
Hidalgo said she will be discharged Saturday from the out-of-state facility she has been at since late July and transition to outpatient care.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Mayor candidates differ on measure to give Houston council members more say on agenda
Voters will be asked to approve a measure that would allow three council members to sign a letter to add an item to the council’s upcoming agenda.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Houston residents want next mayor to tackle housing costs, economic anxiety, survey finds
The Kinder survey found financial anxiety across Houston, particularly in the city’s lower-income neighborhoods and among minority communities.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Candidates for Houston mayor scramble for endorsements, but do they matter?
Frontrunners for Houston mayor rack up endorsements that experts say can make a big difference for candidates seeking votes.
Posted inPolitics & Government
Houston council OKs rules for creating, expanding and eliminating tax reinvestment zones
The rules come three decades after the city launched a TIRZ-creating blitz that locked nearly a quarter of Houston’s property tax base in 28 zones.