Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a final ultimatum to the city of Dallas, demanding the removal of pavement markings deemed "political" by the end of January or face the loss of millions in critical state funding.
State Rejects City's Appeal for Exemption
The standoff escalated on Monday, 19 January 2026, when the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) formally rejected Dallas's request for an exemption from the governor's order. The directive, first issued in October 2025, targets a rainbow crosswalk in the Oak Lawn neighbourhood and a "Black Lives Matter" mural on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Governor Abbott and state officials contend that the non-standard designs violate Texas's road uniformity standards and could pose a safety risk by distracting drivers. This move aligns with a broader federal push to standardise road markings for safety reasons, following similar actions in Florida under the Trump administration to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Community Backlash and Legal Arguments
Critics of the order vehemently dispute the state's safety justification. Tony Vedda, CEO of the LGBTQ Chamber, told the Dallas Voice that the removal is "an intentional act of erasure, plain and simple." He emphasised that the crosswalks were privately funded and used no taxpayer money, arguing they are targeted solely because they represent LGBTQ+ visibility.
Local business leaders also expressed frustration. Kevin Miller, President of the Cedar Springs Merchants Association, noted the crosswalks have become a recognisable feature that reinforces the district's identity as a welcoming destination, warning that their removal would harm the neighbourhood's character.
In its November appeal, Dallas city officials argued the highly visible crosswalks improved pedestrian safety and that the designs constituted protected speech under the First Amendment. However, in its rejection, TxDOT stated the pavement lacked proper certification and the city failed to provide a document from a licensed traffic engineer certifying the designs' safety.
Financial Stakes and Next Steps
The financial implications for Dallas are significant. Failure to comply by the 31 January deadline could result in the withholding of state funds or the suspension of existing agreements between the state and the city.
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, in a memo to the city council, stated that TxDOT did not clarify how the crosswalks impede safety as requested in the appeal. She confirmed that city staff would now work with the City Attorney's Office to formulate a response, as the agency also directed Dallas to cease the practice of any non-standard pavement markings on its roadways.
