A look ahead at criminal justice policy, and a look back at local governments.
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As nationwide calls for defunding law enforcement grow in the wake of historic protests against police brutality, Houston officials increased their spending on police Wednesday.
But Dallas and Austin officials appear supportive of pulling money from their police department budgets and reallocating that money toward community investments.
The Houston City Council increased its police budget Wednesday from $945 million last year to $964 million for the upcoming fiscal year. That came after the failure of council member Letitia Plummer's amendment that aimed to redistribute some of the money to other areas, including mental health programs and loans for businesses owned by people of color. Wednesday's vote came after Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that he will be launching a task force focusing on police accountability and transparency.
"We started the conversation on police reform. Not one of my amendments passed but I know that I stand on the right side of history," Plummer said on Twitter. "That is the most important take away. I answer to the people who elected me. I will be holding the task force accountable."
Bill Kelly, director of government relations for Turner, said that the increase in police funding was mainly related to "fixed costs," including pensions and pending pay rises. He also added that part of the police funding goes to its already existing mental health program, which includes outreach teams and training for officers.
"Houston has invested a considerable amount in better service for our population that has had to turn to law enforcement for public health crisis," King said in an email.
