Office of the Houston City Controller

The mayor just dropped that new budget‼️Are we getting Finessed?!🧐 Join me and @houcontroller @cghollins this Saturday at @axelradhouston for “Reality Check,” a town hall series meant to enlighten us upon and facilitate discussion about where our funds are really going📑 What’s better than some live violin to lighten the mood?🎻 SEE YOU SUNDAY! . . . #houston #townhall #houstontx

Mayor John Whitmire unveiled his proposed budget for the next fiscal year, but Houston City Controller @cghollins is raising concerns about the budget and what it could mean for taxpayers and city services. Want to watch the full conversation? You can always catch full episodes on our YouTube channel.

Mayor John Whitmire has unveiled his proposed budget plan aimed at helping the city avoid a major financial shortfall. We spoke with city Controller, Chris Hollins about the mayor’s budget proposal, what it could mean for Houstonians, and the financial challenges facing the city moving forward. Watch his full interview OUT NOW on YouTube! @houcontroller @cghollins

Three weeks of planning. 20 sponsor pitches sent. 7 sponsors said yes. 24 self-care baskets created for Mother’s Day. Over 200 items donated. 35 women showed up. We donated every basket to @missionofyahweh The Mission Of Yahweh a women and children’s shelter. This was always bigger than us. But beyond the numbers… we built something that mattered. We created a space for community. We showed up for one another. We poured into women navigating difficult seasons and reminded them they’re not alone. Mission of Yahweh mom said: “this made me feel normal again.” To everyone who donated, sponsored, helped set up, and stayed to break down thank you. Your support made this vision real. This was my first event I’ve ever created… and the impact exceeded anything I imagined. Thank you to everyone who partnered with me! All photography from 📸@foreverinfocusmedia @semorahevents @sereneeventstx @flygerian_43 @middlesweetss @signedinsugar @foreverinfocusmedia @houcontroller @missionofyahweh

ICYMI: Today, Mayor Whitmire told Houstonians that his new budget is about “reality,” and he’s “not raising fees.” But that’s not true. This budget shifts costs onto working families, hides the true price tag of city services, and puts Houston on a dangerous financial path.

Talking to Houstonians and seeing what they know about our city’s finances!

I didn’t always have it together. There were seasons where I didn’t have my own home. I was in between jobs, trying to figure out what was next. I’ve felt confused, sad, lost... even depressed at times. And truthfully, I didn’t have a big support system or a village to lean on. I had me, my boys, and God. That’s exactly why I created Petals & Purpose by Darling. A space for mothers navigating real life - the in-between seasons, the rebuilding seasons, the “I’m trying my best” seasons - where community isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. This Sunday, I’m hosting my very first Mother’s Day event ✨ We’ll be: Networking & building genuine relationships Having honest conversations about self-care and showing up through every season🙏🏼 Hearing from a powerful panel of mothers! Creating self-care baskets to donate to Mission of Yahweh Making flower bouquets and pouring into one another This is about curating a real village - the kind so many of us needed. A special thank you to the City Controller for supporting this vision and showing up for mothers here in Houston. It truly means so much. @cghollins And to every partner who helped bring this together in just 3 weeks... I’m beyond grateful. Your willingness to show up, support, and pour into this vision does nor go unnoticed.And to every partner who helped bring this together in just 3 weeks... I’m beyond grateful. Your willingness to show up, support, and pour into this vision does not go unnoticed. To everyone who donated through my Amazon registry - thank you, thank you, thank you. Your generosity is helping make this day special for so many women. I’m excited. I’m grateful. And I’m believing this is just the beginning. If you’re looking for any services, I highly recommend the incredible people I’ve had the honor of working with - truly top tier. We need community. And we’re building it. #fyp #houston #community #houstoninfluencer #explore

🍽️✨ IT’S BACK, HOUSTON ✨🍽️ AAPI Restaurant Weeks returns May 1 – June 15! Get ready to experience 40+ AAPI-owned restaurants across the city in a celebration of culture, community, and incredible food. With a $15 donation, unlock exclusive deals and explore new favorites all across Houston for over 6 weeks. 🍜🔥 Every bite supports local businesses and helps fund year-round community programming. 💛 ✨ Mark your calendars 👯‍♀️ Tag your foodie crew 👀 Follow us to discover deals, new spots, and all our restaurant announcements. 🔗 Visit our site in our bio #AAPIRestaurantWeeks #HoustonEats #SupportLocalHouston #AAPIHeritageMonth #HoustonFo

📢 #HTOWN! We’ve got another volunteer opportunity coming up this week! Saturday, April 25 😎🌟 Join Clean & Green in keeping Houston clean! Help us support the District Attorney’s efforts in combating illegal dumping in Harris County by attending this month’s Cleaner Communities event. This 3-hour event will create a lasting impact as Allison Rd. is what Clean & Green considers a hotspot for illegal dumping. Plus, all volunteers will be provided lunch! Come out to network, eat, and give back to the city!💪💫 Hope to see you there!

Grateful that Harris County will be in good legal hands for the foreseeable future. Congressman Christian Menefee and County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne have done excellent work, and I am confident Council Member @abbiekamin , soon to be County Attorney Kamin, will do the same.

We commend the @houcontroller for recognizing March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in Houston.

One of the most meaningful days I’ve had in this role. Last week, we had the privilege of hosting 45 current Morehouse men at Houston City Hall for Morehouse Takes City Hall, a stop on the Morehouse Takes Houston tour organized by their SGA president who just happens to be a Houston native. Watching those young kings walk through all the doors we opened for them with so much curiosity, confidence, and purpose reminded me exactly why this work matters. A sincere thank you to City Controller Chris Hollins for his leadership and for creating space for this moment. It says everything that the CFO of the fourth-largest city in America opened his doors and said come see what’s possible. Thank you to all the brilliant panelist that broke bread and shared the wisdom gained since they themselves were in the same seats as the young man we were pouring into. Y’all probably sick of hearing it but Dear Old Morehouse doesn’t just give you a degree, she gives you a standard. And every man in that room carried it. To the 45 young men we met that day, we see you… Chase your dreams. Build things that last. The world is waiting on what you’re going to do next.