Houston is, in fact, the unofficial capital of Texas. And we don't care who disagrees. Chron 6 hrs ago Put some respect on Houston's name — and culture. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was upset on Tuesday, lashing out at Harris County (and the media) for their opposition to Senate Bill 7, which would limit early voting hours, eliminate drive-thru voting and largely limit mail-in voting. Sure, at the time, no one could have predicted how important Houston would become to not only the Bayou City but the rest of the world, but still. In 2012, Houston literally topped Forbes' list of America's Coolest Cities. The list was based on a number of factors, including cost of living, unemployment rates, net migration and recreational opportunities.