City of Houston passes conservation district ordinance
Houston officials are aiming to protect historic city neighborhoods, many of which are Black communities, through a new conservation district ordinance.
🔎 Zooming in:
These neighborhoods, such as Independence Heights and Freedmen’s Town are the sites of recent change—such as gentrification through commercial and residential development as well due to extreme weather events, like Hurricane Harvey—which cause a loss of character, said Mayor Sylvester Turner at a Feb. 22 public hearing regarding the draft ordinance.
📍 Who's affected?
Independence Heights
Freedmen’s Town
Manchester/Magnolia Park
Plesantville
Piney Point
Acres Homes.
👍 Those in favor: “You are going to have plenty of community engagement and discussion in these respective districts,” Turner said at the April 5 meeting.
👎 Those opposed: At-large Council Member Mike Knox was among those who voted against the ordinance, arguing for language to be added that would allow for property owners to opt out.
Australian luxury furniture brand Harbour now open at Decorative Center Houston
🎉 Harbour, an Australian furniture company, has landed at the Decorative Center Houston.
🇦🇺 The brand's name comes from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, according to a press release.
🛋️ Some of Harbour's furniture offerings include customizable neutral-toned outdoor sofas, including the Amalfi collection and the Santorini collection.
Texas Senate passes bill to send state funds to private schools
A proposal to use state money to help parents pay for private schools was approved by the Texas Senate on April 6, setting the stage for a contentious debate in the House. Senators also approved a bill that would give public school teachers a one-time bonus.
🔎 Zooming in:
Senate Bill 8, by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would create an education savings account program, commonly known as private school vouchers.
Parents who pull their children out of public schools could receive $8,000 annually per student to help send them to private schools.
The money, which would come from taxes paid to the state, could be used to cover private school tuition or other educational expenses, like textbooks or transportation.
How it affects you:
🧠 The bill would also allow parents to be more involved in what their children learn about in the classroom.
🏫 Deemed the “parental bill of rights,” it would let parents request reviews of their student’s curriculum, permit students to transfer between public school districts and more.
🚫 Schools would also be restricted from teaching students about sexual orientation and gender identity for all grade levels.
💬 Quote of note:“I have always believed in our public school system of over 8,000 campuses,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement following the passage of SB 8. “Many schools are great, most are good, but we also have those that are failing our students. That is why we need school choice for parents who want options other than their failing public school.”
