Houston: The State of the City is Strong
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February 12, 2026 ~ Houston Mayor John Whitmire delivered his annual State of the City address on February 12, 2026, to a sold-out audience of business and civic leaders. The event was sponsored by the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston First Corporation.

In his speech, Mayor Whitmire focused on three main themes: no new taxes, honest government, and a strong city. He acknowledged that Houston faces challenges like any major city but emphasized that they are being faced head-on. "Houston is strong, and we're getting stronger every day," he said. "Stronger because we work together in collaboration."

The program began with a celebration of the city's cultural diversity, featuring a performance by Mariachi Imperial and Houston Police Officer Alvaro Olivera. The mayor also selected a special performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Rev. Michael Gott and vocalist Kenneth Gayle from Unity of Houston.

During his address, Mayor Whitmire recognized Unite Here Local 23 as his invited guests. The labor organization had gone on strike against the Hilton Hotel last year for higher wages. In support of organized labor members and their families, the mayor postponed his original State of the City address last September. "Thank you for what you do to help make this a great city," he said to the union members in attendance. "These workers knew they would never walk alone."

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Turning to the issues facing Houston, Mayor Whitmire reiterated his campaign commitments to fix the city by removing conflicts of interest, eliminating waste and corruption, balancing the budget without a tax increase, adding more recruits to the police and fire departments, purchasing new trucks for garbage pickup, and investing in neighborhood parks.

He also discussed plans for infrastructure improvements such as replacing water pipes, paving roads, investing in drainage systems and road improvements with $500 million in funding. He also mentioned coordinating with other agencies to improve overall infrastructure in preparation for events like the upcoming World Cup.

"We are increasing public safety and transportation and offering shuttles between downtown and the airports," Mayor Whitmire said. "We're doing many things right in preparation for the World Cup. But, ladies and gentlemen, we have to treat Houstonians like they're our World Cup visitors as well."

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The mayor also highlighted his commitment to making Houston a premier city for both residents and visitors, stating that he is prepared to give six years of his remaining best years to the city. "I'm working 18-hour days with a team that is the best in America," he said.

In conclusion, Mayor Whitmire expressed his optimism for the future of Houston and its progress under his leadership. "We're making progress," he said. "That's what I want to leave you with."

The State of the City address was well-received by the audience, who applauded Mayor Whitmire's dedication to improving Houston and his vision for its future. The event was a testament to the strong collaboration between business leaders, civic leaders, and government officials in making Houston a thriving city.

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