Press Releases

Mayor's Office

Press Releases

Mayor's Office of Communications contact: Janice Evans, Communications Director, Office Phone 832.393.0800, Email to janice.evans@houstontx.gov, or Jessica Michan, Press Secretary, Office Phone 832.393.0804, Email to jessica.michan@houstontx.gov.

May 15, 2013 -- Mayor Parker, TSU Sign Agreement for City Employees to Receive Graduate Degree Credits
May 14, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Unveils FY14 Budget Proposal Focused on Houston’s Future
May 14, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Issues Statement on Property Tax Fairness
May 13, 2013 -- Mayor Parker, Council Member Jerry Davis (District B) Celebrate Near Completion of Leland Woods’ First Phase
May 8, 2013 -- Houston Passes Ordinance to Protect Cyclists, Others from Vehicular Traffic
May 8, 2013 -- Mayor Parker, Houston City Council Increase Minority/Women-Owned/Small Business Participation in City Construction Contracts Citywide Goal Increases to 34%
May 1, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Appoints Hispanic Female as New Director of Administrative and Regulatory Affairs
May 1, 2013 -- National Forensic Experts Join Houston Forensic Science LGC Team
May 1, 2013 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces City of Houston Open Innovation Hackathon and Launches Open Data Initiative
April 30, 2013 -- City of Houston, Collaborative Promotes Preparedness with Inaugural May Day Houston Event
April 26, 2013 -- Mayor Annise Parker Launches New Initiative to Help Houstonians Find Jobs
April 18, 2013 -- Houston Juvenile Court Judge Promotes Text-Free Driving Pledge
April 17, 2013 -- Public to Vote for Mayor's Community Activist to be Spotlighted at 2013 State of the City
April 11, 2013 -- TIRZ 16 Funds to Reforest Memorial Park and Build Post Oak Rapid Transit
April 9, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Announces Selection of Houston’s First Poet Laureate
April 4, 2013 -- City to Build Pedestrian Bridge Over Tracks at Bringhurst
April 3, 2013 -- Houston bike SHARE program expands fleet to include 21 B-Cycle stations
April 2, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Kicks Off Local No Texting While Driving Campaign
March 20, 2013 -- City of Houston Website Wins National Transparency Award
March 13, 2013 -- Houston Selected as One of Five Winners and the Fan Favorite in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge
March 8, 2013 -- Retail Task Force Proves Demand for Downtown Retail
March 7, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Cuts the Ribbon at City's New Houston Recovery Center
February 13, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Announces Plan to Eliminate Backlog of Untested Rape Kits
February 8, 2013 -- Two City of Houston Development Projects Earn Urban Land Institute 2013 Development of Distinction Award
February 6, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Announces Plan to Restore Library Hours
January 30, 2013 -- Mayor Parker’s Hire Houston First Program Keeping City Business Local
January 24, 2013 -- Mayor Parker, Community Leaders Demolish Last of the Infamous "Dirty Half Dozen"
January 23, 2013 -- One and Three-Year Crime Analyses Show Houston Holding the Line on Crime
January 10, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Proclaims Friday Go Houston Texans Day
January 9, 2013 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Major Sponsorship for Houston Bike SHARE Program
January 3, 2013 -- Mayor Parker Kicks Off 2013 with Downtown Retail Task Force Creation
December 21, 2012 -- City of Houston Wins Access to Public Firefighter Pension Information
December 11, 2012 -- Mayor Parker to Formalize Partnership with Governor of Basra Province, Iraq
November 30, 2012 -- Gulfgate Area Next Stop for Three Minutes with the Mayor Neighborhood Office Hours
November 28, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Announces New Public Access Videophones at Central Library and Bush and Hobby Airports
November 28, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Proclaims Friday Dynamo Day
November 21, 2012 -- Mayor Parker/Houston Housing Authority Mark Thanksgiving With $100 Million Commitment to HouseHouston Homeless
November 19, 2012 -- City of Houston Receives Corporate Commitment Award for Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
November 11, 2012 -- 100 Jobs Secured on First Day of Mayor’s Middle East Trade Mission
November 9, 2012 -- Effort to House Houston’s Heroes Reaches More than 200 Homeless Military Veterans
November 8, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Leads Houston Trade Mission to Middle East
November 5, 2012 -- Houston Named as Top 20 Finalist in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge
November 3, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Launches Urban Grows Initiative
November 2, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Announces Settlement with Man Wrongly Convicted by Faulty Analysis of Scientific Evidence
November 1, 2012 -- Houston Dynamo, City of Houston Encourage Fans to Wear Orange Tomorrow for “Dynamo Day”
October 24, 2012 -- Houston Airport System Launches Aviation Club to Boost the Next Generation of Aviation and Aerospace Leaders
October 22, 2012 -- Mayor Parker and Council Member Laster Announce Removal of Dangerous Condos
October 18, 2012 -- Commemorative Tree Planting at Hermann Park Japanese Garden for Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial
October 17, 2012 -- Houston Businesses Secure Hundreds of Thousands in Bonds through Bonding Education Program
October 16, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Releases Statement on The Passing of Texas State Senator Mario Gallegos
October 15, 2012 -- Houston Mayor, NASA Administrator & Russian Ambassador Dedicate Gifts of Artworks Honoring Russian and US Space Pioneers
October 3, 2012 -- American Planning Association Designates Buffalo Bayou a Top 10 Great Public Space for 2012
October 1, 2012 -- City of Houston Recognized as One of Houston’s Best and Brightest Employers
September 27, 2012 -- Yale Street Bridge Load Limit Further Reduced by TxDOT
September 26, 2012 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces World-Class Skate Park and Park Without Limits for North Houston
September 14, 2012 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Houston Meets Challenge to House Homeless Military Vets
September 12, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Launches Healthy Houston Initiative
September 4, 2012 -- City of Houston Awards More Than $339M in Contracts to Small, Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Houston Businesses
August 27, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Releases Statement on Passing of Ernest McGowen, Sr.
August 22, 2012 -- City of Houston to Launch First Municipal Electric Vehicle Car Sharing Program
August 16, 2012 -- City of Houston Breaks Ground for New Houston Center for Sobriety
August 3, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Releases Statement of METRO Proposal
July 26, 2012 -- After Recent Shooting, City Officials Reinforce Run.Hide.Fight.
July 20, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Calls for Renewed Negotiations in Janitors' Strike
July 13, 2012 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces New Water Conservation Task Force
July 11, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Proposes $410 Million Public Improvement Bond Package
July 10, 2012 -- Mayor Parker, City of Houston Victorious in ReBuild Houston Appeal
June 29, 2012 -- Houston Named Among Top U.S. Cities for Best Businesses and Careers by Forbes Magazine
June 13, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Touts Houston City Gardens Mentioned in First Lady Obama’s New Book
June 8, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Urges Fair Resolution of Labor Dispute Between Local Janitors and Their Employers
June 7, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Announces Federal Grant to Expand Solar Installations
June 5, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Wins City Council Approval of Independent Crime Lab
June 5, 2012 -- HERO Urges Public Help Following City Worker’s Death In Accident While On Duty
May 31, 2012 -- Mayor Parker, City Council Appoint Directors for Housing and Neighborhoods Departments
May 30, 2012 -- Houston's Mayor Parker, City Council Approve Southwest Airlines' International Expansion Proposal for Hobby Airport
May 24, 2012 -- New Report Confirms Positive Economic Impact from International Service at Hobby Airport
May 23, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Strikes Deal for Southwest to pay for Entire Hobby Expansion
May 17, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Recommends Board of Directors for Proposed Houston Forensic Science Center
May 16, 2012 -- City of Houston Takes Legal Action to Gain Access to Public Pension Information
May 16, 2012 -- City Council Approves New Houston Sobering Center
May 15, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Unveils Budget Proposal That Maintains Focus on Jobs, Public Safety
May 9, 2012 -- Mayor Parker, HUD, Community Leaders Announce Target Areas to Receive $151M in Disaster Recovery Funds
May 3, 2012 -- City of Houston Launches Enhanced Effort to Collect Delinquent Water Payments
May 2, 2012 -- Mayor Annise Parker Launches Public Bike Share Program
May 1, 2012 -- Houston to get Help for Housing Market with Wells Fargo 'NeighborhoodLIFT' Homebuyer Event and Home Preservation Workshop
April 27, 2012 -- City of Houston Receives State Grant For Solar Installation And Wind Turbines For City's New LEED Gold One-Stop Permitting Center
April 25, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Gives President Calderón Key to the City
April 18, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Announces "Love Your Block" Grants
April 12, 2012 -- Mayor Parker, Houstonians Join Nationwide Water & Energy Saving Contest
April 12, 2012 -- RE-Plant Memorial Park Forestry Plan Announced Multi-Part Project To Be Covered By Private Donations
April 11, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Welcomes 200 New Jobs as Direct Energy Moves Headquarters to Houston
April 9, 2012 -- Statement from Mayor Parker Regarding Proposed International Service at Hobby Airport
April 4, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Selects City's Electricity Provider Consistent with Hire Houston First
April 3, 2012 -- Spring Branch Next Stop for Three Minutes with the Mayor Neighborhood Office Hours
March 29, 2012 -- Fifth Day of Mayor's Brazilian Trade Mission Yields 6th Agreement
March 29, 2012 -- Lone Star College System Workforce Training Partnership Latest Agreement Signed in Brazil
March 28, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Officially Launches Houston's Partnership with Rio de Janeiro
March 26, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Signs Cooperative Agreement with Sao Paulo Mayor
March 23, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Leads Local Business Delegation Trip To Brazil
March 22, 2011 -- Houston Partners with Shanghai, China, in Cross-Promotion Efforts
March 21, 2012 -- Mayor Parker, Astros Announce Details of Welcome Home Parade for Iraq Vets
March 20, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Recommends Further Discussion on Charitable Food Service Ordinance
March 15, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Announces City of Houston Receives IBM Grant
March 14, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Releases Statement on Firefighter Passing
March 8, 2012 -- City of Houston Wins National Award for Website Transparency
March 7, 2012 -- Mayor Parker and Comcast SportsNet Houston Announce Major Local Sports Media Investment and Jobs
March 6, 2012 -- Houston Mayor Proposes New Safeguards for Charitable Feeding
February 29, 2012 -- Mayor Parker's visit to Texas Children's Hospital (TCH)
February 29, 2012 -- City of Houston Given Highest Award in Texas for Employer Support of National Guard, Reserve Employees
February 28, 2012 -- SPRING BREAK HOUSTON Planning for visitors
February 28, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Unveils Plan For Sobering Center
February 27, 2012 -- Mayor Parker First to Announce Participation in Comcast Local Media Initiative, Houston's Voice to Highlight All Things Houston Through Video
February 13, 2012 -- Occupy Houston Effort Ends to Allow Work on Downtown Park
January 26, 2012 -- Houston Joins New Nationwide Energy Efficiency Challenge
January 21, 2012 -- City of Houston Negotiates End to Red Light Camera Vendor Lawsuit
January 19, 2012 -- City of Houston Claims Victory as Illegal Signs Come Down
January 11, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Selects New Leadership for City IT, Fleet Departments
January 11, 2012 -- Mayor Parker Rescinds Stage Two Water Shortage Measures
January 9, 2012 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Third Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Class
January 4, 2012 -- Houston’s Murder Rate Hits Historic Low in 2011
December 22, 2011 -- Temporary BBQ Pit & Smoking Ban Lifted in All COH Parks
December 20, 2011 -- City of Houston Helps Local Civic Club Fight Negligent Neighbor
December 14, 2011 -- $55 Million Buffalo Bayou Park Project Receives Green Light
December 5, 2011 -- Temporary Barbecue & Smoking Ban To Be Lifted In All But Twelve City Parks
November 29, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Announces New Partnership with HUD
November 15, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker and Mayors of Major US Cities Visit Israel to Explore Areas for Bilateral Cooperation
November 9, 2011 -- Houston To Celebrate Citizenship Week
October 28, 2011 -- City to Convert Historic Fifth Ward Deluxe Theater for TSU
October 27, 2011 -- Clear Direction Urged for Saving NASA Jobs
October 26, 2011 -- Houston Goes Global; Flexes its International Muscle to the World
October 24, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Plan to Preserve Historic Rufus Cage Elementary School
October 3, 2011 -- Mayor Parker, Community Leaders Present Houston's First Graduating Class from Goldman Sachs Foundation Small Business Educational Program
September 28, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Improved Business Opportunities for Minority and Women-Owned Firms
September 16, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Extends Parks Burn Ban To Include Smoking
September 9, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces New Fire Safety Campaign for City Parks
August 25, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker Welcomes Federal Grants for City of Houston Homeland Security Projects
August 24, 2011 -- Houston Job Watch
August 17, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Releases Statement on Passing of Helen Chang, Mayor's Director of International Trade & Development
August 15, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Orders Mandatory Water Conservation Measures
August 6, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Partners With Reliant Energy To Air Condition Hot Houston Homes
July 28, 2011 -- Hiring Local Keeps Local Jobs
July 26, 2011 -- Houston Mayor and METRO Seek Common Ground on East End Line
July 6, 2011 -- City of Houston Seeks Permission to Appeal Red Light Camera Decision
June 18, 2011 -- Mayor Parker's Statement on Ratification of Firefighter Contract
June 18, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Partners with Local Pest Control Group to Provide Free Extermination Services for Needy Houstonians
June 17, 2011 -- United States Conference of Mayors Names Mayor Annise Parker as First Place Winner for 2011 Mayors' Climate Protection Award
June 17, 2011 -- Mayor Parker's Statement on Red Light Camera Ruling
June 16, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Announces New Drainage Fee Structure
May 24, 2011 -- City of Houston Prevails in Prop 1 Language Lawsuit
May 21, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Kicks Off Demolition of 400 Hazardous Buildings with 2nd Annual Demo Day
May 19, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Unveils Budget Proposal that Preserves Public Safety as Priority
May 18, 2011 -- Mayor Parker and HPOPS Announce Deal to Save Police and Jailer Jobs
May 17, 2011 -- Distinguished Author, Historian and Noted Preservationist Receives Mayor's Award for Outstanding Efforts in Historic Preservation
May 16, 2011 -- Mayor Parker's Comments On Fire Union Negotiations
May 10, 2011 -- Mayor Parker, Community Leaders Present Consensus Redistricting Map
May 9, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Calls for Consolidation of Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department with Hotel Corporation
April 22, 2011 -- City of Houston Scores Major Victory in Water Rate Lawsuit
April 21, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Unveils Revamped SafeClear Program
April 20, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Encourages "LightsOut" Houston, Invites Public to Celebrate Earth Day
April 18, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Picks Director for New Office of Business Opportunities
April 18, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Issues Statement on Passing of Joe Roach
April 14, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Reveals New Detention Area and Future Neighborhood Center in NW Houston
April 12, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Issues Statement on Shuttle Decision
March 31, 2011 -- Sundance Cinema to Open in Bayou Place
March 28, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Launches HoustonSERVICE.org
March 25, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Announces New Rebuild Houston Funding Plan with Exemptions and Assistance for Low Income
March 3, 2011 -- City of Houston Launches New Arterial Travel Time Tool in West Houston
February 24, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Announces $25 Million Partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative in Houston
February 18, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Announces New Police Oversight Initiatives
February 17, 2011 -- Mayor Parker Issues Statement About 2010 Census Numbers
February 8, 2011 -- Three City Facilities Recognized for Preservation Efforts
January 27, 2011 -- City of Houston Signs 5-Year Agreement to Remove Graffiti
January 6, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Energy Efficiency Incentive Program
December 7, 2010 -- Mayor Parker and HISD Superintendent Grier Propose Possible Cooperative Green Initiatives
December 6, 2010 -- Demolition Begins at Ella Square Apartments
December 3, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Details Voluntary Furlough Plan for City Employees
December 1, 2010 -- City Hall Goes Red for World AIDS Day
November 19, 2010 -- City Legal Claims Another Victory in Fight Against Slumlords
November 17, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Selects New General Services Department Director
October 30, 2010 -- City of Houston Negotiates Plan for Angel Ridge Apartments
October 29, 2010 -- Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Local Team Chosen to Help Address Land Use Challenge in National Fellowship Program
October 22, 2010 -- Houstonians Shatter Previous Census Participation Records
October 21, 2010 -- 59 Illegal Billboards to Come Down Following City of Houston Court Victory
October 15, 2010 --Mayor Parker, Elected Officials in Houston Region Receive $3.75M Grant to Promote Smarter and Sustainable Planning for Jobs and Economic Growth
October 14, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Announces New Low-Cost Prescription Drug Program
October 8, 2010 -- Houston Public Library Awarded $3.7 Million Federal Grant To Increase Public Computer Access, Connectivity Digital Inclusion Initiative to Benefit from $5.9 Million Expansion
October 6, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Names Blue Ribbon Task Force on Building and Standards
October 1, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Announces 2010 Hispanic Heritage Awards Recipients and Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board
September 30, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Launches City Hall Victory Garden
September 30, 2010 -- Houston Awarded $10 Million to Hire Police Officers
September 30, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Applauds Bipartisan Effort to Save Human Space Flight
September 23, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Names Cameron Waldner the City of Houston's First Chief Service Officer
September 23, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Emphasizes Need for Uniform National Public Safety Communication Network to U.S. Senate Committee
August 25, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Taps Terry Garrison to be Houston’s New Fire Chief
August 6, 2010 --Mayor Parker Greets TSU Students Halfway Around the World
August 6, 2010 -- Reorganization of Houston Housing and Community Development Department Announced
August 5, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Takes First Steps to Open Air Travel from Houston to Chonquing, China
July 28, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker announces the City of Houston Challenge to CenterPoint Energy Electric Rate Increase
July 26, 2010 -- Houston Teens Invited to Apply Now for Mayor's Youth Council
July 22, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker announces expansion of Electric Vehicle program
July 20, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Announces Proposed Historic Preservation Ordinance Amendments
July 16, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Optimistic About Senate NASA Plan
July 14, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Makes Her Pick for Public Works Director
July 5, 2010 -- Neigborhood Eyesore In South Houston To Finally Come Down
June 30, 2010 -- City Receives $200K Grant to Promote Volunteerism
June 11, 2010 -- Local Pest Control Group to Help Two Houston Neighborhoods
June 3, 2010 -- Sen. Cornyn, Houston Mayor Parker to Host Press Conference Announcing Introduction of Bill to Stop Sale of Murderabilia
June 2, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Forms Advisory Panel On Continental Merger
June 1, 2010 -- 2010 Hurricane Readiness Addressed by Harris County Judge Emmett, Houston Mayor Parker
May 28, 2010 -- City Debuts Virtual Newsroom
May 22, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Orders ‘Demolition Day’ of Dangerous Buildings in Houston
May 19, 2010 -- Mayor Parker's Statement on Officer Mani
May 11, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Balances City Budget Without Tax Hike Or Major Service Cuts
May 7, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Releases Statement About Frank Wilson’s Resignation
May 2, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Releases Optimistic Statement About Airline Merger
April 30, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Named Among Top 25 Leaders in 2010 Time 100 List
April 28, 2010 -- Houston Census Response Tops 2000
April 27, 2010 -- $1.3M Grant Awarded to City of Houston for Solar-Powered Generators During Emergencies
April 21, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Picks Municipal Court Director
April 14, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Selects Houston Airport System Director
April 7, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Picks new City Attorney and Housing Director
March 30, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Names Charles McClelland as Houston Police Chief
March 26, 2010 -- Houston Makes Top Ten List for Most Energy Efficient Buildings
March 25, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Invites President Obama to JSC
March 24, 2010 -- Mayor Names Ada Edwards Interim Director of Housing and Community Development Department
March 23, 2010 -- Mayor Parker Plans Police Chief Announcement By End Of Month
March 18, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Names Five New METRO Appointees/Releases METRO Transition Team Reports
March 15, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Fights for NASA/METRO Funding in Nation’s Capitol
March 9, 2010 -- Mayor Parker to sign agreement to promote trade and business opportunities in Mexico
March 9, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker announces City of Houston Challenge to CenterPoint Energy Gas Rate Increase
March 8, 2010 -- Olympic Medalist and Houstonian Chad Hedrick To Be Honored At City Hall
February 10, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Names Human Resources Director
February 5, 2010 -- Municipal Court Presiding Judge Steps Down
February 5, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Announces Electric Vehicle Partnership With Nissan
January 25, 2010 -- City of Houston Launches Wastewater Treatment Plant Energy Efficiency Project
January 24, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker Issues Statement on the Passing of Robert Mosbacher
January 2, 2010 -- Mayor Parker and City Controller Sworn In
December 29, 2009 -- City of Houston Inaugural Events Announced
December 17, 2009 -- Mayor-elect Annise Parker announces transition team leaders