Government
BY ANNA LOTZ & ANGELA BONILLA
Houston o cials vote to keep speakers’ contact information private The addresses and phone numbers of Houston residents wishing to address City Council members will no longer be disclosed publicly following an unanimous vote by council members Nov. 6 to amend its council rules of procedure. The gist According to the city’s ordinances, speakers during the public comment period were required to disclose their street address; mailing address, if di erent; phone number; and a brief description of the intended comment. Prior to City Council’s vote, this personal information was available to the general public. The city’s ordinance will now read: “The speak- er’s street address, mailing address (if di erent), and telephone number is for internal, administrative
CenterPoint users to see $1 increase CenterPoint Energy has begun a recovery plan for its customers impacted by the May 16 derecho, which will cost customers about an additional $1 per month for the next 15 years, according to a Nov. 8 news release. The May 16 derecho caused more than an estimated $5 billion in damages across the Greater Houston area, as previously reported by Community Impact . What to know The company led its rst phase of the plan with the Public Utility Commission which would save customers $50 million in interest charges on the $450 million in storm response cost. The $1 monthly surcharge will begin in the second half of 2025 and then decrease to below $1 in 2026.
“This is good public policy, and we appreciate all the residents who have called our o ces, who have come to public session and expressed their concerns. …
Our public sessions should be transparent, but we all must be respectful of individual privacy, especially in today’s times and with the digital age.” MARTHA CASTEX TATUM, DISTRICT K COUNCIL MEMBER
use only by City Council, the city secretary’s o ce and city departments, and shall not be disclosed publicly, except as required by law.” Quote of note “Many Houstonians may choose to not speak at these meetings due to legitimate concerns for their safety and the safety of their households,” said Alexandra Okechi, an educator who spoke during the public comment period Nov. 6 in support of amending the city ordinance.
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