<p><img class="alignnone wp-image-530383 size-medium" src="https://cdn.houstonpublicmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09105018/HMCC-Featured-Image-Dark-Blue-2025-1000x563.jpg" alt="A mint green skyline against a dark blue background with the words Houston Matters with Craig Cohen in white" width="1000" height="563" /></p><p>On Thursday's show: When an elected official leaves office, what happens to their campaign funds? Well, it turns out many Texas politicians are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/campaign-accounts-joe-straus-21125020.php" rel="noopener">using those funds</a> on everything from luxury hotels, to steakhouse dinners, to salaries for political operatives. <a target="_blank" href="Taylor%20Goldenstein" rel="noopener">Taylor Goldenstein</a> of the Houston Chronicle tells us what her reporting uncovered.</p><p>Also this hour: We get a better understanding of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.springcreekud.org/what-is-a-mud" rel="noopener">municipal utility districts</a>, or MUDs, which are entities formed for handling water services and other utilities in unincorporated areas across the state. People are often lured to buy homes in them for affordable prices but then are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/property-taxes-special-districts-21124439.php" rel="noopener">surprised by high costs</a> for property taxes or for basic services, like trash collection.</p><p>Then, we discuss what makes a good workplace these days.</p><p>And we visit an annual <a target="_blank" href="https://architecturehouston.org/gingerbread-build-off/" rel="noopener">gingerbread house building contest</a>.</p><p><b>Watch</b></p><p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vosQtB9mAWI?si=p4sZiRmrI5aPauJz&amp;start=467" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>