Five stories that have North Texas talking: Local mayors want to have a word with Gov. Abbott; why Roy Oliver’s indictment is rare; a brief history lesson on “RoboCop”; and more.
In a letter, mayors of 18 Texas cities are expressing concern over some of the agenda items in the special session, which kicked off Tuesday, and are asking to meet with Gov. Greg Abbott.
Many of those concerning items for the city leaders pertain to local control, like limiting the power of cities to annex land outside their boundaries and to enforce local tree ordinances.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Fort Worth’s Betsy Price and other North Texas leaders with signatures on the letter sent Monday believe such legislation would “impede the ability of Texas cities to provide vital services that reflect the priorities of local residents.”
When Abbott announced his priorities for the special session last month, he said that cities’ over-regulation of certain matters threatens the state’s economy, the Texas Tribune reports. But, tensions between Texas mayors and state leaders have been brewing for a while.
It’s unclear if Abbott has granted the mayors’ request for a meeting. Read the full letter below. [KUT, The Texas Tribune]
Mayors Letter to Governor_July 2017 by Brandon Formby on Scribd
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- A transgender woman posted a now-viral photo with Gov. Abbott last week: "How will the Potty Police know I'm transgender if the Governor doesn't?" [The Dallas Morning News]
- A former Balch Springs officer, who’s white, has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of a black teenager. Here’s why that’s incredibly rare. [The Texas Tribune]
- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lucky Whitehead has been reunited with his dog Blitz that was allegedly kidnapped by a Fort Worth rapper named Boogotti Kasino. [D Magazine]
- “RoboCop,” the 1987 sci-fi classic turned 30 this week. Later this summer, the film will be screened at OCP HQ in New Detroit — also known as Dallas City Hall. [KERA News]
The High Five is KERA’s daily roundup of stories from Dallas-Fort Worth and across the state. Explore our archives here. And sign up forour weekly emailfor the North Texas news you need to know.
