The Houston City Council is set to meet on Friday to discuss whether or not to repeal the recently passed anti-ICE ordinance. But the fireworks got started early.
In their first gathering since Governor Greg Abbott said the state would withhold to $110 million in public safety grants from the city and block it from future funding, if the ordinance is not repealed, the City Council opened it up for more anti-ICE comments from the public.
And then the members started weighing in, until finally mayor John Whitmire went off and said it's not a threat that the city can take lightly.
"We do not have local monies for the replacement of grant money" Whitmire said, "I've been sitting here being tolerant, but it's time to quit playing political games."
In the letter to the mayor, Governor Abbott’s office said the city must respond by April 20, or risk the grants’ termination.
That prompted progressive Democrat Alejandra Salinas to announce her plan to fight back.
"The City Attorney could walk over to the Harris County courthouse and file a temporary restraining order (TRO), and that same day we could get a judgement from the court that says the state cannot pull funding."
But according to a spokesperson from the Governor's office, Andrew Mahaleris, as of right now, future funding is on hold. In a statement, Abbott's office said: Additionally, under the terms of the contract between the City of Houston and Texas, the State will submit a bill to the City if it does not immediately reverse course for the $110 million the City would owe the State. If the City refuses to pay, the Texas Comptroller is required to deny the payment of any funds to Houston until the debt is paid.
The session also featured heated exchanges between the mayor and members of the City Council, along with Councilwoman Shabazz going off on HPOU chief Doug Griffith.
The countdown is on to Friday.