Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced the postponement of a special called City Council meeting as the city continues negotiations with the state over frozen public safety funding tied to its immigration ordinance.
In a statement, Whitmire said the deadline to respond to the state has been extended following discussions with the governor’s office.
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“After discussions with the Governor’s office, our deadline to respond to the state’s freeze on public safety grant funding has been moved from Monday, April 20, to Wednesday, April 22,” Whitmire said. “Therefore, the Special Called Houston City Council meeting has been postponed until Wednesday, April 22, to give my administration additional time to continue productive discussions with the Governor’s office, City Council members, law enforcement, and the community.”
The delay comes as the city faces the potential loss of more than $100 million in public safety grants amid an ongoing dispute with the office of Greg Abbott over Houston’s immigration policy.
Whitmire described the situation as a “crisis,” noting the impact is already being felt.
“We have already lost state grant funding, which affects the Houston Police and Fire Departments, public safety services across our city, preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the Department of Homeland Security,” he said.
The mayor said the extension will allow more time to reach a resolution while minimizing impacts to public safety and city finances.
“This strikes a balance to protect our people, essential services, and our finances,” Whitmire said. “We are making significant progress through constructive conversations.”
City leaders are expected to revisit the issue when the council meets on April 22.