Who Decides

City of Houston

Mayor + 16 City Council Members

Police, fire, water, streets, parks, permitting, zoning, city budget ($6B+)

City Hall, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Harris County

County Judge + 4 Commissioners

Flood control, county roads, jail, courts, public health, property taxes, county budget ($5B+)

Commissioners Court, Tuesdays at 10am

State of Texas

150 House Reps + 31 Senators + Governor

Education funding, Medicaid, criminal law, business regulation, state highways, elections

Capitol in Austin, every odd year (140 days)

United States

2 TX Senators + 38 TX House Reps + President

Social Security, Medicare, immigration, defense, federal courts, interstate commerce

Capitol in Washington DC, year-round

Commissioners Court is the governing body of Harris County. It consists of the County Judge (who presides) and four commissioners, each representing a precinct. Together they set the county tax rate, approve the budget, and oversee county departments.

The court controls flood infrastructure, the county hospital system (Harris Health), toll roads, the jail, courts, and public health programs. Meetings are open to the public every Tuesday at 10am.

What the county funds

Source: Harris County FY2025 Budget

Houston is the largest city in the U.S. with a strong mayor system. The Mayor proposes the budget and appoints department heads. City Council has 16 members — 11 represent geographic districts and 5 serve at-large (citywide). They approve the budget, pass ordinances, and oversee city services.

An ordinance needs 9 votes to pass. Public comment happens at the beginning of every regular session — anyone can speak for up to 3 minutes. Council meets most Tuesdays and Wednesdays at City Hall, 901 Bagby Street.

Our district council member is often the most responsive official to neighborhood issues — potholes, permits, drainage, code enforcement. The at-large members handle citywide policy.

What the city funds

Source: City of Houston FY2025 Adopted Budget