Whitmire's budget passage comes after months of working to implement cuts and consolidations across city departments.

Council members Edward Pollard, Tiffany Thomas and Abbie Kamin voted against the budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which was supported by the other council members. Their concerns included slashed departmental budgets and more than $70 million in deficit spending.

HOUSTON — Chaos erupted during a Houston City Council meeting Wednesday as protesters critical of Mayor John Whitmire's $7 billion budget were forcibly removed by police after holding up banners and chanting in the council chambers. The council voted to pass the budget Tuesday.