Category Archives: City

Trump wins, glass ceiling still solid

Around 1:30 pm CST on November 8, Hillary Clinton (D), the first female presidential candidate from a major political party  was stunned by Republican businessman Donald Trump in an upset victory for the 45th President of the United States of America. Running mate Mike Pence called the victory “A Historic night.” With his family standing near him, Pence (R) Governor from Indiana said that he was deeply grateful in being given the opportunity serve. He then introduced the president-elect business tycoon and television personality Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. He has never held any job in government and made a decisive win. In front of a crowd chanting USA, he began by saying Hillary has worked very hard and we owe her a debt of gratitude. Trump having won the necessary 270 electoral college votes to become President said that he will bring the country together and unify the people of America.

Clinton, leading in the popular vote did not speak to supporters on election night instead, deferring to make a statement on Wednesday.

The Houston Sun’s Endorsement

 

Sun recommends the following candidates to the offices they are seeking because after review of their candidacy, they will serve the public best.

Federal

President and Vice President

Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine

United State Representative, District 9

Al Green

United State Representative, District 18

Sheila Jackson Lee

United State Representative, District 29

Gene Green

Statewide Texas

Railroad Commissioner

Mark Miller

 

Judge, Supreme Court, Place 3

Debra Lehrmann

Judge, Supreme Court, Place 5

Dori Contreras Garza

Judge, Supreme Court, Place 9

Eva Guzman

Judges

 

Chief Justice, 1st Court of Appeals:

Sherry Radack

Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 4

Barbara Gardner

Justice, 14th Court of Appeals, Place 9

Tracy Elizabeth Christopher

District Judge, 80th Judicial District

Larry Weiman

 

District Judge, 125th Judicial District

Kyle Carter

 

District Judge, 127th Judicial District

R.K. Sandill

 

District Judge, 129th Judicial District

Michael Gomez

District Judge, 133th Judicial District

Jaclanel McFarland

District Judge, 151th Judicial District

Mike Engelhart

District Judge, 164th Judicial District

Alexandra Smooth-Hogan

District Judge, 337th Judicial District

Renee Magee

District Judge, 351th Judicial District

Mark Kent Ellis

 

 

Harris County

 

District Attorney

Kim Ogg

Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 1

(unexpired term):

Clyde Raymond Leuchtag

County Attorney

Vince Ryan

Sheriff

Ed Gonzalez

County Tax Assessor-Collector

Ann Harris Bennett

Referendum

Houston ISD, Proposition 1

NO

 

 

 

 

 

Fitch Releases Preliminary Analysis of Pension Reform Plan

According to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s communication staff Janice Evans released that in the first analysis of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s pension reforms by a financial market expert, Fitch Ratings writes the proposal “includes reforms to benefits and contribution practices that could improve the sustainability of the city’s pensions.”  Fitch also comments on the plan’s use of Pension Obligation Bonds, noting this is not deficit financing because the POBs will replace an existing liability rather than as a substitute for the City’s required annual pension contributions.

“This early validation from a global leader in credit ratings and research is encouraging and a sign we are on the right track,” said Mayor Turner.  “The plan we have put forth is the only plan that provides both immediate and long-term financial benefits and takes the pension issue off the table for good.”

The proposal the mayor will present to state lawmakers for consideration in the upcoming 2017 legislative session will immediately reduce and later eliminate the City’s $7.7 billion unfunded pension liability and costs considerably less next year and every year after when compared to what the City would need to pay in the absence of reform. The plan includes:

  • Benefits changes that immediately reduce the unfunded liability by $2.6 billion while still maintaining defined benefit plans for City employees
  • A closed 30-year payoff period
  • $1 billion in POBs
  • A more realistic rate of return of 7% for future investments
  • A requirement that the city makes the full required annual contributions to the pension systems
  • Limits on annual costs going forward and mandatory negotiations on benefits changes to bring costs back in line if they exceed the specified limits

According to Fitch’s analysis released Friday, “use of POBs alone typically is insufficient to correct underlying sustainability concerns and provides only temporary relief in the absence of broader reforms. However, POB use in conjunction with reforms to benefits and contribution practices increases the odds of strengthening funding positions and improving long-term sustainability.”

Fitch and other credit rating agencies have previously cited Houston’s pension liabilities and voter-imposed revenue cap as credit concerns.  Once the City’s pension problems are fixed, Mayor Turner has said that he will ask voters to repeal the revenue cap. 

Mayor Turner intends to ask City Council to approve his plan within the next few weeks.  Bill filing begins in Austin in mid-November.

Alma A. Allen, Texas State Representative seeks HISD top job

Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen
Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen

Within the 150-member assembly of the Texas House of Representatives is a woman by the name of Alma Allen.

Currently serving as the state’s Representative of District 131, Allen has put on quite a résumé. But elected to one of the governmental jobs in the Lone Star State is just another destination to her tirelessly life journey.

Growing up in Livingston, Texas, Allen wanted to make a difference as a young girl, and education became an essential part of that difference.

“(I believe) education is the key,” Allen said.

Allen, 77, would eventually excel in elementary all the way up to college. She initially picked Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) as one of those universities which helped minorities like herself until she ultimately chose Texas Southern University (TSU).

“TSU gave me the background to put me as an educator,” Allen said.

She would soon have Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees under her belt.

“Having a degree has put me at a difference in quality of my life,” said Allen soundly.

One of Allen’s dear friends, Wilma Jordan, says that her love for people, her love for children is what makes her stand out from everyone.

“She will go out of her way, saying, ‘If you need help, I’ll help you do it’,” Jordan said.

Allen then goes after her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction along with a certificate in administration and supervision, which she received from the University of Houston. As an alumna, Allen worked at the Houston Independent School District (HISD) before working as an adjunct professor for PVAMU, then for TSU. Afterwards, she got elected to the State Board of Education in 1992.

Current PVAMU professor William Parker, who is also a former colleague of Allen, knows the type of professional and person that she is.

“She holds all her colleagues, professors, and students to a standard of excellence,” Parker said.

“As long as she has a tone vision of education, she makes an impact in the community. She is known as an educator of Texas, and in the country”

Later, Allen would land at the Texas House of Representatives having being reelected for two-year terms since 2004 while viewing Houston as a condition of betterment.

“There’s always a lot to improve and I want to be a part of it,” Allen said.

A woman of integrity like herself has considered another opportunity once her Democratic Representative days finish, for she will be a candidate for superintendent of HISD. Her son, Laurence Allen, Jr., sees the character in her mother that impacts the people.

“She motivates other people to get involved. I am so proud of her,” Laurence said.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, she plans to improve morale and the focus on finances and stability as one of her top priorities.

“The big challenge is to make people feel wanted and needed,” Allen said in the newspaper.

Allen will take this task head-on, if elected, once her term as State Representative ends in 2018.

A date for the choosing of the permanent superintendent has yet to be determined.

Alma A. Allen, Texas State Representative seeks HISD top job

Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen
Texas District 131 Representative Alma Allen

Within the 150-member assembly of the Texas House of Representatives is a woman by the name of Alma Allen.

Currently serving as the state’s Representative of District 131, Allen has put on quite a résumé. But elected to one of the governmental jobs in the Lone Star State is just another destination to her tireless life journey.

Growing up in Livingston, Texas, Allen wanted to make a difference as a young girl, and education became an essential part of that difference.

“(I believe) education is the key,” Allen said.

Allen, 77, would eventually excel from elementary up to college. She initially picked Prairie View A&M (PVAMU) as one of those universities which helped minorities like herself until she ultimately chose Texas Southern University (TSU).

“TSU gave me the background to put me as an educator,” Allen said.

She would soon have Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees under her belt.

“Having a degree has put me at a difference in the quality of my life,” said Allen soundly.

She then goes after her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction along with a certificate in administration and supervision, which she received from the University of Houston. As an alumna, Allen worked at the Houston Independent School District (HISD) before working as an adjunct professor for PVAMU, then for TSU. Afterwards, she got elected to the State Board of Education in 1992. Later, she would land at the Texas House of Representatives having being re-elected for two-year terms since 2004 while viewing Houston as a condition of betterment.

“There’s always a lot to improve, and I want to be a part of it,” Allen said.

A woman of integrity, Allen has considered another opportunity once her Democratic Representative days are finished, for she will be a candidate for superintendent of HISD. As HISD Superintendent, she plans to improve morale and the focus on finances and stability as some of her top priorities.

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, Allen said, “The big challenge is to make people feel wanted and needed.”

Allen will take this task head-on if selected as HISD Superintendent, instead on pursuing another term as State Representative, which ends in 2018.

Final Political Candidate Screening All About Law

Former prosecutor Kim Ogg speaks on running for District Attorney.
Former prosecutor Kim Ogg speaks on running for District Attorney.
Trial attorney Bruce Bain discusses his duties if elected Judge of The 164th District Court.
Trial attorney Bruce Bain discusses his duties if elected Judge of The 164th District Court.
Attorney-at-law George Powell will be running for 351st District Court Judge.
Attorney-at-law George Powell will be running for 351st District Court Judge.

Houston’s This Is it holds one of the tastiest soul foods in town, and has held the last of the four political candidate screening events.

 

Early voting concludes today, but former prosecutor Kim Ogg, trial attorney Bruce Bain, and attorney-at-law George Powell will expect increase of votes in their respective positions. Although March 1 is the main election, early voting is an important contributor for these three, as well as many other candidates in Houston.

Ogg, a Democrat, is willing to stop crimes, or at least reduce them.

“Burglaries are not prosecuted at all,” Ogg said.

District Attorney is what Ogg will be advocating and try to be elected for.

Bain, on the other hand, is competing for Judge of the 164th District Court.

“I bring 31 years of experience to this office, and ‘Justice delayed, justice denied,” Bain said.

It won’t be just years of the Republican’s knowledge, but also his appointment to people who will help other people.

Powell, campaigning for the 351st District Court Judge office, repeatedly uttered his word of the morning: fair.

“I will be fair to those who are treated unfairly,” Powell said.

Running as Democrat, Powell would also like to have the ethnic diversity that is not there in the courtroom, and wants the clients to be judged fairly.

Vote for Dorris Ellis #55 daily for Houston’s Hometown Hero

Please click and copy the below link to vote for Dorris Ellis as a Houston Home Town Hero sponsored by  97.9 The Box radio station. Place the link in your browser in the URL window to proceed. She has been nominated by her daughter, Dorcaus Robinson. How loving of her to do this. Therefore, your help is needed daily. Register first, go to the word “last” and backspace to #55 and vote for Dorris.

<script type=”text/javascript” src=”http://theboxhouston.upickem.net/engine/SubmissionWidget.aspx?PageType=VOTING&ContestID=202016&SubmissionID=81887590″></script>

 Schedule for events surround Sylvester Turner’s inauguration

Sylvester Turner newly elected Mayor of the City of Houston photographed at City Hall December 15 2015. (photo by Richard Carson) Photos provided for "Editorial Use" only for editorial, factual, educational, news, informational and/or historical purposes, including in order to depict persons, places or event of public interest. All other usage rights reserved.
Sylvester Turner newly elected Mayor of the City of Houston photographed at City Hall December 15 2015. (photo by Richard Carson) Photos provided for “Editorial Use” only for editorial, factual, educational, news, informational and/or historical purposes, including in order to depict persons, places or event of public interest. All other usage rights reserved.

Houston Sun News Service

SUNDAY Jan 3  from 4:30-7PM.  Mayor Elect  SylvesterTurner, New Council Members, and Controllers will have a picnic in Market Square, 1001 Preston Street.  Members of the public are invited to come down, take pictures, and talk with Mr. Turner and all the rest. Families of the elected officials will be there too.
6:45 PM a fireworks display takes off for a few minutes setting the stage for Monday’s inauguration.
MONDAY: Jan 4. OTR, On the Red Carpet events takes place inside the lobby of Jones Hall.  Camera crews are invited in to gather video and sound bytes from the crowd.
9:30 AM  Pool Cameras take over the event.  Channel 13 is pool and Richard Carson, the city photographer is pool  still photog. No cameras are allowed inside other than the pool cameras.
From there the new Mayor and Council travel back to City Hall where the Mayor will gavel the new council to order for a roll call.  This is also an open event to the press.  Families will be there to snap pictures and take turns sitting in the Mayor’s chair.

First Black Harris County Commissioner dies at 66

Harris County, TX  Commissioner El. Franco Lee, dead at 66
Harris County, TX
Commissioner El. Franco Lee, dead at 66

Houston Sun News Service

El Franco Lee, Harris County’s first African American commissioner, died this Sunday morning, January 3 of a heart attack. He was 66.  Bryan McLeod, a spokesman for Harris Health System said that he was pronounced dead at 10:01 a.m. at LBJ Hospital.

Lee, a Houston native attended Wheatley High School and was a graduate of Texas Southern University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Technology and postgraduate studies at the TSU’s School of Public Affairs, and at the University of Houston.  He began his political career in 1979 when he was elected Texas State Representative for District 142 where he served until becoming a county commissioner in 1985. He was serving his seventh term in office for Precinct One.

During his tenure, he advocated for the Street Olympics for young people, , provided transportation for senior citizens , directed money to County Parks in Precinct One, funded the Mickey Leland Plaza and provided for the new Dynamo stadium.

Houston’s newly elected mayor Sylvester Turner said, “El Franco was a beloved public servant who never sought the limelight, preferring a low-key approach that put the needs of his constituents above self-promotion.”

Turner stated that Lee defeated him in the 1984 race for county commissioner. “His passion was helping seniors and improving quality of life for underserved youth and young adults in the inner city. His unmatched programs for thousands of seniors include everything from health and fitness initiatives to arts and crafts and music tutorials to holiday celebrations and other special events.

“Commissioner Lee was a giant of a man,” U.S. State Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said. “We could always count on his heart and his passion for the most vulnerable.” Turner has directed that flags at City of Houston facilities be lowered to half-staff.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said the commissioner was “a champion” of mental health resources, quality of life for seniors and intellectual and athletic development of children, focusing on “people who couldn’t speak for themselves.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released this statement:
My heart is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee. I first met El Franco more than three decades ago when he was serving in the State Legislature. In 1984, we ran against each other for Harris County Commissioner and he beat me.

El Franco was a beloved public servant who never sought the limelight, preferring a low key approach that put the needs of his constituents above self-promotion. His passion was helping seniors and improving quality of life for underserved youth and young adults in the inner city. His unmatched programs for thousands of seniors include everything from health and fitness initiatives to arts and crafts and music tutorials to holiday celebrations and other special events. El Franco’s dedication to improving social services, health care, educational and vocational needs for Harris County youth is exemplified by his wonderful Street Olympics Program. He grew the Street Olympics from a summer-only recreation activity into a comprehensive event that impacted the lives of more than 10,000 young adults every year.

El Franco served Harris County well for 30 years and will be greatly missed. On behalf of the City of Houston, I send condolences and prayers to his family. I have directed that flags at City of Houston facilities be lowered to half-staff.

With his death, comes an opening in the March primary election for Harris County Precinct One. Commissioner.

 

Holiday Bicycle Giveaway : December 23, 2014

Houston City Council

Dwight Boykins
Holiday Bicycle Giveaway
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2014

Contact: Chelbi Mims (832) 393-3001

Chelbi.mims@houstontx.gov

In recognition of the holiday season, Council Member Dwight Boykins is partnering with the University of Houston Police Department to host a Holiday bicycle giveaway for 15 children from Forever Families Foster Care and Adoption Agency.

Forever Families is a non-profit organization that provides adoptive and foster placement for children within Texas. Forever Families provides children with a safe nurturing and educational environment through connection with families that last forever.

Who: Council Member Dwight Boykins, University of Houston Police Department, and Forever Families

When: December 23, 2014 at 4:00 pm

Where: Intersection of Southmore Blvd. and Almeda Rd. Houston TX 77004

Why: “A bicycle should be an integral part of every child’s experience,” said Council Member Dwight Boykins. “It gives me great pleasure to partner with The University of Houston Police Department and Forever Families to make the dream of owning a bicycle a reality for these deserving youth.”

Phone: 832.393.3001 FAX: 832.393.3201