ICYMI: Seven voters decide billions in bonds, and more
The Chronicle’s top in-depth stories
In area MUD elections, a handful of voters decide $1 billion in bonds
On the west side of Conroe in Montgomery County, just seven voters were eligible to decide $1.07 billion in bonds for roads, water, sewer and recreational facilities this week. That’s because they were the only residents in newly created municipal utility districts, also known as MUDs, that have been carved out as the county north of Houston continues its rapid population growth. How have MUDs have surged in the counties surrounding Houston?
By Cindy Horswell, @ chorswell
Only four miles separate those who vote from those who don’t
Houston’s voting Precinct 403 near Meyerland sits just four miles away from Precinct 359 in Westwood. Yet the two areas couldn’t be more different when it comes to demographics and voting behavior. While Precinct 403, a neat residential neighborhood, saw a 39 percent voter turnout in the last municipal election, just 18 percent of voters in Precinct 359 — home to many immigrants who are ineligible to vote — appeared at the polls. The contrasting precincts shed light on civic engagement in Houston.
By Katherine Driessen (@KatDriessen) and Mike
Morris (@mmorris011)
Doctor accused in rape unlikely to be held liable in civil court
Columnist Lisa Falkenberg follows up on her reports on a Houston doctor accused of raping a patient - and how tort reform limits the patient’s right to sue. @ChronFalkenberg
Houston area struggles with domestic violence spike
The Montgomery County Women’s Center is the only domestic violence resource in a county of half a million. It is among just 13 organizations in Houston and outlying cities that specifically provide emergency shelter to victims, totaling just 741 beds. The greater Houston area’s burgeoning population growth has translated into a spike in local domestic violence cases, stressing very limited resources. This year, area shelters have operated at capacity and fielded more calls, struggling to keep up with a growing problem.
By Lauren Caruba,
@LaurenCaruba
Loss of insurance plans could devastate cancer patients
Martha Gardenier has struggled to fight back from a rare bone marrow disease and leukemia. She was able to do so because her insurance carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, included the renowned University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. But in late September, Gardenier and as many as 2,000 other M.D. Anderson patients received a letter saying they were being dropped from their Preferred Provider Organization plans. The move made financial sense for Blue Cross Blue Shield, but for some patients, it could be a matter of life or death.
By Jenny Deam,
@jenny_deam
How Houstonians voted on HERO
On Election Day, voters soundly rejected Houston’s embattled equal rights ordinance, one of the most controversial ballot items in recent memory. Yet support and opposition to HERO varied widely across the
city, data shows. Most of the support for the measure was centralized in the inner Loop, near the Heights and Montrose.
By John D. Harden,
@Jdharden