Michael Adkison/Houston Public Media

In her first major comments since the rainbow crosswalks were removed from the intersection of Westheimer and Taft, the chair of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) defended the department's handling of the removal.

"It was something that we had to do because of a mandate," Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock said during a METRO board meeting Thursday. "And whether we did it in 12 days or whether we did it in 30 days, we had a responsibility and we met our responsibility."

Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order directing the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure all cities and counties removed political messaging from roadways, including rainbow crosswalks, within 30 days. Hours later, METRO agreed to do so.

D

See Full Page