Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered that all cities and counties remove street markers representing "political ideologies" or risk losing state transportation funding. The order targets rainbow crosswalks in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned Wednesday to withdraw state road funds from towns and counties that fail to remove “political ideologies” from public streets, including rainbow crosswalks in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Abbott orders TxDOT to restrict social and political emblems, flags, and marks on roadways statewide. “Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not to advance political agendas on Texas roadways,” Abbott stated. We must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas to keep Texans moving safely and distraction-free.”
This summer, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote to the governors, urging them to participate in a federal initiative aimed at removing road art and political messaging. “Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks,” Duffy wrote on X.
Following Abbott's decision, TxDOT wrote to cities and counties Wednesday that “pavement markings such as decorative crosswalks, murals, or markings conveying artwork or other messages are prohibited” unless they serve a safety purpose. Cities have 30 days to comply with the new regulations, or they will risk losing funding and state agreements. A “demonstrated public safety benefit or compelling justification” may warrant an exception.
Houston Metro announced it would re-stripe Westheimer and Taft to meet federal standards. “We recognize the significance this crosswalk has to the community,” the agency emailed, “but given the recent directive, we will comply with the order.” Early this month, the city repainted rainbow crosswalks after construction.
Houston Council Member Abbie Kamin said Abbott has “no legal right to interfere with the people of Houston.” She termed it a diversion from “real problems that deserve real leadership.”
In 2017, Houston's Montrose crosswalks were painted to remember 2016 hit-and-run victim Alex Hill. The $15,000 Pride Houston-funded crosswalk is Texas' first Pride project and is now at the center of a national dispute regarding color, culture, and public space.
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