The holiday season is a special time to celebrate with friends and family and reflect on our accomplishments and goals for the new year. As we prepare to end 2022, I am counting my blessings and grateful for our progress together over the past several months.
I hope you had a chance to hear my State of the City speech, which is my annual update on how we are doing. This year’s theme was, Building A Bridge to the Future. Here are just a few highlights:
- Since I became Mayor, we have hired 1,991 Police Officers. To hire even more officers, I increased cadet pay by 29 percent resulting in a $10,000 increase in their annual salary.
- In February 2022, we launched One Safe Houston. As a result of the comprehensive initiative, crime is down in every major category.
- During my administration, we have reduced homelessness by 30 percent and have decommissioned 57 homeless encampments.
- The “Dinner to Housing Program.” In partnership with the Bread of Life and Pastor Rudy Rasmus, we will provide meals, housing, and supportive services to help transition people experiencing homelessness to permanent supportive housing.
- 22 Parks will get a major makeover scheduled to be completed by end of next year.
During my speech, I also predicted the Houston Astros would win the 2022 World Series. Sure enough, they did, and the city held a fantastic parade that drew more than one million fans downtown.
Finally, I also shared, for the first time, that I had been diagnosed in June with osteosarcoma. After surgery at M.D. Anderson Hospital, and after months of radiation, I am cancer free, according to my doctors. I encourage you to take your health seriously and see your doctor if you do not feel good.
As we end the year and prepare to ring in 2023, I am genuinely grateful for my health and my family and that you allow me to be your Mayor. It is one of the greatest honors of my lifetime. Thank you.