Critics Wary Of Houston's New Form Of Annexation

Largely blocked from annexation following a contentious battle eight years ago, America's Fourth City is entering into "strategic partnership agreements' with unincorporated commercial districts. In these deals, Houston and the rural area split the higher sales tax while the city promises not to annex the suburb for 30 years. Advocates think hundreds of these schemes will damage efforts to promote regional cooperation in the notoriously-sprawling metropolis.