Howdy WHA Members!
The November 3rd election brought significant changes to Texas and national leadership. Gina Hinojosa was elected governor, James Talarico won Texas’s U.S. Senate race, and Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress. In Harris County, Letitia Plummer was elected county judge. These results set the stage for new leadership and priorities at every level of government.
For Greater West Houston, the changes will matter as state leaders prepare for the 2027 legislative session and Congress sets its agenda for the next two years. The transition could bring new approaches to infrastructure issues and funding priorities. As the election season concludes, the work of planning for the region continues.
Issues such as sustained investment in water and flood resilience, expanded water supply and reuse, policies that support quality growth and attainable housing, local tools to finance transportation and infrastructure, and workforce partnerships for high-demand jobs will shape those discussions. In the months ahead, WHA will continue bringing public and private partners together to discuss how we can best meet the needs of a growing region.
As growth continues across the Greater Houston region, coordination among counties, cities, special districts, developers, and utilities is as important as ever. The timing of infrastructure investment can affect both new development and established neighborhoods. Planning ahead gives partners a better chance to connect projects, identify needs, and make the most of available resources.
In October, WHA recognized leaders and projects advancing quality growth at our Public Officials & Awards Reception. Congratulations to Marlene Gafrick, our 2026 Star of Excellence; Harry Thompson, our Compass Award honoree; and all of this year’s Mobility Excellence, Sustainability Star, and Quality Planned Development recipients. Thank you to everyone working across the region to make these efforts possible.
Our committees will continue that work throughout November. The Flood Control & Drainage Committee meets November 4. Education & Workforce meets on November 6 to discuss final preparations for their December forum. Government Affairs meets on November 9 to discuss election outcomes and finalize work on our 2027 legislative agenda. Sustainable Infrastructure and Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces both meet on November 10. Regional Mobility will continue discussion on Traffic Impact Analysis policy changes on November 18. The Water Resources committee will meet on November 19 and are starting to plan their Spring 2027 Forum. Meanwhile, the Quality Planned Development Committee will hold an offsite tour on November 18.
On November 13, our West Houston Trails forum will explore how we can better connect parks, neighborhoods, and destinations as the region grows. Greater West Houston has valuable parks and trails, but gaps between them can limit their usefulness. A regional network could give residents more ways to reach schools, community facilities, and open spaces while making better use of corridors associated with drainage and new development. Preserving potential routes often becomes harder as surrounding land develops, so early coordination matters.
Looking ahead, on December 10, WHA will host a forum on the Katy Educational Village. The forum will explore a vision connecting Houston City College – Katy and the University of Houston – Katy with workforce opportunities and the surrounding community. By making education, career pathways, and daily life more connected, the concept could help residents build skills and pursue opportunities close to home while strengthening the region’s talent pipeline.
As we look toward 2027, WHA’s 50th anniversary, we will keep working across boundaries to support thoughtful growth, dependable infrastructure, and stronger regional connections. Thank you for being part of that work!
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association