Behind Bill White

Women make their mark in city ranks

Andrea White answers questions during a Girl Scout video interview in the JuliaIdeson Library.
Luke Kelly
The salute to government women took place at the historic Julia Ideson Library.
Luke Kelly

If it's true that behind every successful man there is a woman, Mayor Bill White should be destined for truly greater things. That is if you consider the 30 powerhouse women in his administration who took bows at the Julia Ideson Library earlier this week.

Houston first lady Andrea White spearheaded the "Great Women in Government" reception that applauded the formidable females for their six years of helping Bill White move the city to a higher place. As Andrea White said, they have "changed the landscape and quality of life in Houston for the better." (Scheduling conflicts had the mayor elsewhere. But on this, as on many occasions, Andrea White delivered the goods in fine form.)

Among the familiar faces saluted for their efforts were the mayor's agenda director Marty Stein, director of planning Marlene Gafrick, Houston Library director Rhea Brown Lawson and special events deputy director Susan Christian. They were lauded for initiatives that included keeping kids in school, transforming concrete into parks, preserving city history, getting more people into affordable houses, increasing the number of books on library shelves and on and on.

Young Girl Scouts joined the program for what had to have been a meaningful, if quickie, mentoring session — powerful women in success mode setting the example for the up-and-coming leaders.

Consider, for example, the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department leader Dawn Ullrich. Or director of Finance Michelle Mitchell.Or Nancy Beren of the CitizensNet e-mail network. All women who wield a certain influence across the city.

It was applause, applause all around for the female forces of the White administration.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana