Government
BY RACHEL LELAND
Manvel resident survey shows desire for projects Results from a Manvel community feedback survey show residents would like to see greater investments in city parks and open spaces as well as the maintenance of existing public infrastruc- ture, yet they are wary of raising taxes. The big picture Between July 1-28, the city of Manvel distrib- uted a survey designed to gather feedback to help inform the city’s fiscal year 2023-24 budget. The survey, which had over 700 respondents, showed strong support for maintaining existing infrastructure and funding city parks. • 63% said city parks and open spaces were the most important city facilities. • 68% said the maintenance of public infrastruc- ture was most important. • 47% said minimizing traffic congestion was
New laws tackle human trafficking
Residents’ priorities Survey respondents were asked to rank their top two priorities.
said maintaining public infrastructure was one of their top two.
House Bill 3579 allows the Texas Depart- ment of Licensing and Regulation to shut down massage establishments where human trafficking is suspected, according to a news release. Other state laws offering preventa- tive measures that affect the TDLR include: • HB 2313 requires rideshare companies to provide human trafficking training to their drivers regarding awareness and how to report suspected trafficking. • HB 2016 prevents someone from getting a massage therapy license if they have been convicted of sexual assault and aggra- vated sexual assault. Although existing laws provide for license ineligibility for some offenses, according to the agency, it does not explicitly prohibit licensure for sexual assault offenses.
68%
said minimizing traffic congestion was one of their top two.
47%
SOURCE: CITY OF MANVEL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
most important. • 71% said introducing a farmers market was the most important event for them and their family. • 76% said safety and security was the most important city issue. About 79% of respondents said they don’t support tax rate increases for these projects.
Development corporation allocates funds for projects to unburden residents As a result of a collaboration between the city of Pearland and the Pearland Economic Development Corp., critical public projects will receive funding from sales tax collected by the PEDC, lifting the burden from taxpayers. Zooming in corporation’s annual sales tax to fund qualified infrastructure recapitalization projects for redevel- opment in targeted areas of Pearland. The projects included Old Town drainage and utilities, Industrial Drive, Alice Street, Shank Road,
What they’re saying Council Member Rushi Patel, who formerly sat on the PEDC board, said he hoped the funding from the agreement would lift the tax burden of funding these projects for Pearland residents. Mayor Kevin Cole said such agreements create a way for smaller projects to get funded.
Woody Road and other potential roads in and around the Hwy. 35 and Old Townsite areas. The allocation will be averaged over a five-year period beginning in fiscal year 2023-24.
On Aug. 14, City Council voted 6-0 in support of agreeing with the PEDC to allocate 20% of the
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