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GHP examines region’s international trade outlook Staff Reports Editor’s note: In its “Economy at a Glance” report for May, the Greater Houston Partnership – the regional chamber of commerce – examines Houston’s central role in the global economy, with a focus on its trade volumes in 2024. On May 1, the Greater Houston Partnership released its “Global Houston ‘25” report. A summary of the document follows. The summary includes updates to data not available at the time the original publication was sent to the printer. [Editor’s note: Read the Fort Bend Star’s coverage of the release here.] The global economy is expected to continue growing in 2025. But recent changes to U.S. trade policy are likely to temper that growth, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revising its global growth forecast for 2025 down to 2.8 percent in April from 3.3 percent in January. Parts of Houston’s economy may be vulnerable to slowing global growth or increased trade tensions. But its relationships with other countries are deep and multi-faceted: • Houston consistently exports more goods and commodities than any other U.S. metro. • The Houston/Galveston Customs District routinely handles more foreign tonnage than any other U.S. customs district. • Almost 1,000 foreignowned firms operate over 1,800 offices, factories, warehouses, and service centers in Houston. • Almost 150 Houstonbased firms operate over 3,200 business establishments across 111 foreign countries. • Over 1.8 million Houston residents, nearly one in every four, were born outside the U.S. • Eighteen foreign banks, 41 foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations, and 11 trade and commercial offices promote trade and investment in the region. • Eighty-six foreign governments have consulates or honorary consuls in Houston. These ties have benefited the region’s economy in years past and will continue to be important to its success in 2025. Metro Houston Exports Houston led the nation in exports in 2024, shipping $180.9 billion in goods and commodities abroad. This is more than the combined value for New York and Los Angeles, the second and third highest exporting metros. Houston has ranked as the nation’s top exporting metro in 12 out of the past 13 years. The exception was in ’16, when OPEC flooded the market with crude and oil traded under $50 per barrel most of the year. Those conditions limited exports of oil and oil field equipment from Houston. Houston’s export value has increased by 3.1 percent since ’23 and now totals $51.3 billion – 39.6 percent higher than
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Texas Democratic Party removes Taylor as Fort Bend County chair By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The executive committee of the Texas Democratic Party in Austin voted Monday night to remove Fred G. Taylor as chair of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party after a majority of the local party’s precinct chairs reported a host of irregularities, purportedly including more than $97,000 missing from the local party’s accounts, according to a press release. “Tonight, the State Democratic Executive Committee met and voted to remove Fred Taylor as Chairman of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party on a vote of 73 to 12 with 6 abstentions,” Jonathan Marcantel, the local party’s secretary said in the release. “In the coming months, the Fort Bend County Democratic Party County Executive Committee will elece an Interin County Chair,” he said.
Taylor was elected to the post in June 2024 runoff election, narrowly defeating Jennifer Cantu with 50.56 precent of the vote. Taylor replaced Cynthia Ginyard, whom Taylor told the Fort Bend Star in an interview before the vote that he was himself investigating for the improprieties. For her part, Ginyard told the Star that Taylor had been making accusations against her for a year, and that all of them were found to be without merit. The situation involving Taylor and the state party’s vote was first reported by Houston Public Media. Fort Bend precinct chairs April Jones, Oto Cantu, and Jennifer Stroh all told the Fort Bend Star that since he took office last June, Taylor had increasingly acted as if was the sole decision-maker in the local party. When the party’s membership elected Jones as its treasurer, Taylor refused to add her as a signatory on the party’s bank accounts or to provide documentation.
The precinct chairs said they later discovered that more than $97,000 in contributions and other monies deposited through an online portal was unaccounted for. They said they later were able to access some record from the party’s bank. They said they made a report of their findings to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. Wes Wittig, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office said that there had been an investigation of Taylor at one time, but that it was closed without any finding of criminal conduct, adding that no other information would be made available. “We do not want to damage a person’s image with allegations that are unfounded,” he said. Before the vote, Taylor told the Star that he was in the midst of presenting information on his own investigation to the Texas Rangers, the investigatory division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The executive committee of the Texas Democratic Party voted Monday to remove Fred G. Taylor as chair of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party. Photo via Fort Bend County Democratic Party
CULTURAL DAY IN RICHMOND
Members of the North American Youth Chinese Orchestra perform on traditional instruments in Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at George Memorial Library in Richmond on Saturday. The performance was part of the Friends of George Memorial Library’s annual Multicultural Day, which included performances by other groups, games, crafts, and samples of cuisine from all over the world. The festival coincided with Art in the Bend, an annual arts show and performing arts event held in downtown Richmond. See more photos on Page 5. Photo by Ken Fountain
Sienna Branch Library to host program on obesity Community Reports Fort Bend County Libraries’ Sienna Branch Library will present a wellness program, “Balance & Beyond: A Healthier Approach to Obesity,” on Saturday, May 17, from 2-3 p.m., in the Meeting Room of the library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City. Dr. Gini Dutt, M.D., will explain obesity as a disease process that can be affected or triggered by genetics, epigenetics, hormones, insulin resistance, and other factors that can increase the risk of physical and mental complications.
Attendees will learn about lifestyle adjustments that can impact obesity, as well as medical treatment options that are available. Dutt is board certified in internal medicine and is a diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She has been practicing medicine for more than 10 years and enjoys teaching her patients about healthy obesity management. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbendlibraries.gov) or call the Sienna Branch Library (281-238-2900).
Dr. Gini Dutt, M.D. will present a wellness program on dealing with obesity at the Sienna Branch Library on Saturday, May 17. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries