Southwest Houston

The Harris County Attorney's Office has filed a civil lawsuit seeking to shut down QQ Spa, a southwest Houston massage business near Bellaire Boulevard and Hillcroft Avenue, after years of police raids and alleged violations. According to the lawsuit, Houston police vice officers raided the spa in February and March 2025 and again in September 2026, uncovering prostitution arrests, a lack of a certificate of occupancy, and unlicensed masseuses working at the business.

A civil court judge granted a temporary restraining order against the spa on Tuesday but stopped short of ordering an immediate closure. Instead, the business was given two days to come into compliance with licensing requirements or face shutdown by county constables. County Attorney Abbie Kamin said her office would continue pursuing legal action against businesses that endanger public safety and exploit women, citing cooperation with local law enforcement in the case.

Harris County's population grew by only about 1% over the past year, according to Rice University political science professor Mark Jones, who says the modest growth is driven almost entirely by natural births and international migration. Without immigration, he says, the county's population would already be shrinking.

Harris County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 to approve a $3.1 billion budget that raises the combined property tax rate about 7.9%, to a cap of 67 cents per $100 of taxable value, effective October 1, 2026. The county estimates the average homeowner will pay roughly $193 more per year. Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones supported the hike, blaming state and federal policy under President Trump and Governor Abbott for shifting about $250 million in costs onto the county, including unfunded mandates and Medicaid non-expansion. Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted against it; Judge Lina Hidalgo abstained, warning the increase won't fix long-term finances. Jones warns slower growth means the tax burden falls on fewer residents, risking further migration to Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Southwest Houston businesses report declining sales tied to immigration enforcement fears.