Houston, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive to the Texas Department of Transportation, threatening to withhold transportation funding from cities that refuse to remove symbols and markings conveying political ideologies from public roadways. The measure is said to aim at compliance with traffic safety laws, but critics, including Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, view it as a political maneuver targeting LGBTQ+ initiatives. Cities like San Antonio and Houston, known for their pride crosswalks, could be affected by this directive, raising concerns about civil liberties and community expression.
Houston
Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to withhold transportation funding from Texas municipalities if they do not remove political ideologies from streets. The directive instructs the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure removal of symbols, flags and other road markings that convey social, political or ideological messages, and warns that cities which do not comply may face the withholding of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.
What the directive requires and who is affected
Abbott’s directive aims to eliminate symbols, flags or other markings on any roads that convey social, political or ideological messages for compliance with federal and state traffic safety laws. Although LGBTQ+ pride crosswalks in cities like San Antonio and Houston are not explicitly mentioned, they seem to be among the targets of this directive. Cities that refuse to comply with this directive may face consequences, including the withholding of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.
State actions and enforcement
The governor instructed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure that all political ideologies are removed from roads in Texas. The stated enforcement tools include withholding transportation funding and suspending TxDOT agreements with municipalities that do not remove covered markings. The directive is framed as a compliance and safety measure with reference to federal and state traffic safety laws.
Local response and political context
Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin criticized the governor’s directive as a political stunt and highlighted other local priorities such as healthcare coverage and rising grocery prices. Abbie Kamin represents the district that includes Houston’s rainbow crosswalk, which Abbott’s statement targets. The move follows a pattern of public actions by the governor that critics describe as targeting diversity and LGBTQ+ initiatives.
Comparisons and background
The threat issued by Abbott mirrors similar actions taken by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis against LGBTQ+ street art. Abbott has a history of championing efforts to strip rights from LGBTQ+ Texans and has often criticized wokeness and diversity initiatives. Officials promoting the directive say it protects neutral use of public roadways and enforces traffic-safety-related standards; opponents say the directive targets specific communities and local expression.
Immediate implications
Municipal officials now face a choice between removing or covering certain street markings or risking the loss of state and federal transportation funds and formal agreements with TxDOT. Several cities that have installed pride-themed crosswalks will assess compliance risks and potential responses, and state transportation officials have been instructed to review existing roadway markings.
What remains unclear
The directive does not include a published, city-by-city list of affected markings and does not specify a timeline for enforcement in the public text provided. Officials in affected cities will seek clarification from TxDOT about compliance deadlines and technical standards for removing or covering existing markings on road surfaces.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | Governor Greg Abbott; Texas Department of Transportation instructed |
| Action | Remove symbols, flags or other markings on roads that convey social, political or ideological messages |
| Targets noted | LGBTQ+ pride crosswalks in cities like San Antonio and Houston (not explicitly named but identified as likely targets) |
| Consequences | Withholding of state and federal road funding; suspension of agreements with TxDOT |
| Local response | Criticism from Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin; cities assessing compliance |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| Date not specified | Governor issues directive to remove political ideologies from roads | State-level directive |
| Date not specified | Texas Department of Transportation instructed to enforce removal | State-level directive |
| Date not specified | Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin responds and criticizes the directive | Local response |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did Governor Greg Abbott threaten to do?
Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to withhold transportation funding from Texas municipalities if they do not remove political ideologies from streets.
What does Abbott’s directive aim to do?
Abbott’s directive aims to eliminate symbols, flags or other markings on any roads that convey social, political or ideological messages for compliance with federal and state traffic safety laws.
Are pride crosswalks explicitly mentioned?
Although LGBTQ+ pride crosswalks in cities like San Antonio and Houston are not explicitly mentioned, they seem to be among the targets of this directive.
What are the possible consequences for cities that do not comply?
Cities that refuse to comply with this directive may face consequences, including the withholding of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.
How did local officials respond?
Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin criticized Abbott’s statement as a political stunt, pointing out pressing issues like healthcare coverage and rising grocery prices that need attention.
Who represents the district that includes Houston’s rainbow crosswalk?
Abbie Kamin represents the district that includes Houston’s rainbow crosswalk, which Abbott’s statement targets.
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Additional Resources
- San Antonio Current
- Wikipedia: Greg Abbott
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: Greg Abbott
- The New York Times
- Google Scholar: Gina Ortiz Jones
- Advocate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gina Ortiz Jones
- Express News
- Google News: Texas LGBTQ diversity ban lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
