Mayor John Whitmire released the City of Houston’s proposed $7 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 operating budget, which includes a balanced General Fund. For Houston’s business community, sound fiscal management at City Hall is more than just good governance – it’s essential to maintaining the services and infrastructure that enable our region to thrive. Perhaps most significantly, this plan reduces General Fund spending – the city’s primary tax-supported budget – by 2.4%, or $74.5 million.  “We applaud Mayor Whitmire for making hard choices to put forward a balanced budget proposal,” said Steve Kean, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership. “The mayor has made good on his commitment to address waste and duplication, and the Partnership is committed to working with his administration to put the City on a sustainable path, delivering the quality services Houstonians expect.”  Explore the City’s structural deficit and potential solutions in our report, State of the City’s Finances: A Deep Dive into Houston’s Fiscal Issues Facing the City. Key savings in the budget come from a combination of:  Workforce reductions: Over 1,000 city employees took advantage of the Voluntary Municipal Employee Retirement Payment Option, resulting in over $99 million in annual savings across all funds, including $29 million for the General Fund.  Operational efficiencies: Department budget reductions reached $16 million in savings.  Strategic reforms: $19 million associated with the consolidation of departments.   These efficiencies recommended in the Ernst & Young Citywide Efficiency Study underscore the city’s commitment to fiscal responsibility moving forward. The proposed budget also addresses critical public safety needs, funding the first year of a new police contract and the second year of the firefighter contract. While also providing infrastructure investments, as the budget sets aside $184 million from property tax revenue for street and drainage projects, aligning with the recent drainage settlement agreement.  During the press conference, the mayor highlighted that while this budget is balanced through efficiency and cost-cutting, the door remains open for future revenue discussions: “It would be wrong for me to say we are not going to allow Houstonians to consider a garbage fee or other matters,” the mayor said. “My responsibility is to balance the budget and provide services. I made a commitment to address waste and duplication. [Later] we will talk to Houstonians about the type of city they want to live in.” What’s next: Over the next two weeks, department directors will present their budgets in a series of workshops providing a deeper look into the FY 26 budget through Tuesday, May 20. After these sessions, City Council will review the budget, with a final vote expected in June.  

The Greater Houston Partnership welcomed 18 new member companies in the month of April. The Partnership works to connect companies with resources, information and networking opportunities to help increase business while also providing a platform to influence the direction of the region.  New members who joined in the month of April include: 512 Financial: Headquartered in Austin, 512 Financial is a business and consulting service with experts in accounting, finance, HR, and marketing, offering sophisticated fractional services to propel businesses forward. Website. 7th Echelon: 7th Echelon is a cybersecurity company based in Houston, specializing in providing tailored security solutions and services to help organizations protect their digital assets and infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. Website. Allstar Pizza & More: Allstar Pizza & More is a pizza company with locations in Clute and Lake Jackson, Texas, known for serving up a variety of pizzas, along with other menu items. They aim to provide delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere for the community in the Brazosport area. Website. Avatar Innovations: Avatar Innovations is a Canadian-based venture studio focused on driving energy transition by partnering with the oil and gas sector to develop and implement innovative CarbonTech solutions. Website. Bot Auto: Bot Auto is an L4 autonomous trucking company based in Houston, Texas that operates an autonomous truck fleet and offers Transportation as a Service (TaaS) to freight customers. Website. BrightMind Consulting Group: Based in Houston, BrightMind Consulting Group is a business management consulting firm that partners with organizations to drive strategic growth and operational excellence through tailored solutions in areas like business transformation, technology adoption, and organizational development. Website. Charles River Laboratories: Charles River Laboratories provides essential products and services to help accelerate the discovery, early-stage development, and safe manufacturing of novel drugs and therapeutics. They offer a comprehensive portfolio that supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide in their efforts to improve human health. Website. Dayforce: Dayforce is a global human capital management (HCM) software company that offers a unified platform for payroll, benefits, workforce management, talent management, and HR service delivery, empowering organizations to manage their entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement. Website. Galaxy Technology Hires: Galaxy Technology Hires is an engineering and technology recruitment firm, headquartered in Houston, Texas providing custom solutions to name generation and sourcing, to research and organizational mapping, to full cycle recruiting. Galaxy Technology Hires also offers retained search, contingent search, executive search, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) services. Website. K & K Data Service Inc.: K & K Data Service Inc. is a company based in the United States specializing in comprehensive data center construction, operational maintenance, and related integrated solutions. Website. League of Women Voters of Houston: League of Women Voters of Houston is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Website. Libyan National Oil Corporation: The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) Houston Branch serves as a crucial hub for managing and executing turnkey procurement on behalf of all Libyan oil subsidiaries. This branch is tasked with selecting professional suppliers, establishing key framework agreements, and supporting vital training programs to enhance the industry's capabilities. Website. Logica Corp: Logica Corp delivers innovative technology solutions and consulting services, specializing in areas like data analytics, cloud computing, and custom software development to help businesses optimize their operations and achieve their strategic goals. Website. Maintenance Warriors: Maintenance Warriors provides comprehensive commercial and residential property maintenance services, offering solutions for everything from handyman repairs and cleaning to landscaping and preventative maintenance. Website. Markovich Grover PLLC: Markovich Grover is a Houston-based law firm specializing in complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy and restructuring, and energy litigation, representing clients across various industries with a focus on achieving favorable outcomes through strategic and effective legal advocacy. Website. MetroNational: MetroNational is a prominent Houston-based real estate development and investment firm known for its diverse portfolio of commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties that have significantly shaped the city's landscape. Website. Shell Federal Credit Union: Shell Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution serving the Houston, Texas area, offering a range of financial products and services such as checking and savings accounts, loans, and investment options, with a focus on providing personalized service and supporting the financial well-being of its members. Website. Weltrio: WelTrio is a Houston-based company specializing in providing comprehensive language solutions, including translation, interpretation, and localization services, to help businesses and individuals communicate effectively across diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes. Website. Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory. To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.