Posts
As reported in the Chronicle
By BRADLEY OLSON HOUSTON CHRONICLE
April 22, 2009, 10:00PM
Mayor Bill White said Wednesday he was considering hiring management consultants to cut millions from the city’s budget if his department heads do not find significant savings in their spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
“I’m sort of running out of time and running out of patience a little bit,” he told City Council members shortly after their weekly meeting concluded. “If things aren’t done properly, then I’m just going to do it.”
The city’s finance director has said the fiscal 2010 budget is expected to be flat, meaning the various departments will have roughly the same amount to spend as they did this year, a rarity even in the thriftiest governments. The fiscal year begins July 1.
It was unclear Wednesday whether White’s announcement was meant as saber-rattling for what is expected to be an unusually difficult budget season or if he is expecting to give McKinsey and Co., or a similar firm, the run of City Hall. He did not specify how much he wanted cut but indicated he would pay several hundred thousand dollars if it would reap millions in savings.
Executive approach
White long has touted his business bona fides and executive approach to governance, and even more frequently since announcing his candidacy for the not-yet-vacated seat of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who has said she may resign this year to run for governor.
Council members greeted the idea with praise. Many have been calling for more information about cuts department heads were planning.
“This is a message to the directors,” Councilwoman Anne Clutterbuck said. “If they don’t deliver on what the mayor or City Council have been asking them to do, then we’ll bring in somebody to do it for them.”
Councilman M.J. Khan also expressed support, saying he believed the city could achieve more “efficiencies” in its permitting processes.
City employees had a more measured response, noting that leaders of some departments had in the past week been asked to submit even leaner budgets than the administration previously requested. Several senior city officials said they were surprised by the suggestion that consultants were needed, given their intention to cut to the mayor’s specifications.
Leaders of the Houston Organization of Public Employees, or HOPE, which represents about 14,000 city workers, were caught off guard.
“We urged the mayor to not act unilaterally by hiring management consultants, who are not a good use of already scarce taxpayer dollars,” said Melvin Hughes, president-elect of HOPE. “Essentially, management consultants cannot ensure that quality public services can continue to be provided efficiently the way that frontline city employees can.”
Hiring freeze under way
Speaking to reporters after the council meeting, White stopped short of saying layoffs could be on the horizon but suggested many unfilled positions could remain so during the recession. Several senior officials said such a hiring freeze already largely had been implemented.
White also said using consultants in his administration was not unprecedented, since one company had donated its services to help restructure certain aspects of the Houston Police Department. Two areas ripe for consultants included outsourcing computer servers and billing and collection services in the Department of Public Works and Engineering, he said.
“We need to operate differently,” White said. “We need to have an enhanced and increased focus on organizational changes that would reflect the fact that the U.S. is in a recession.”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
White to feds: Please rush that immigration training
As reported in the Chronicle's blog
March 17, 2009
Houston Mayor Bill White sent a letter this week to a top U.S. immigration official requesting that the federal government expedite Houston's participation in the controversial 287 (g) program that trains jailers to act as immigration agents.
In the letter, dated Monday, White also says he will be urging "other jail custodians" in the Houston region to enter into agreements with the federal government. (See the text of the letter below.)
The rush for a 287 (g) agreement marks a departure from the mayor's past position that local police should have limited involvement in immigration enforcement. In addition to committing to improve screening at Houston's jails, White is pressuring the federal government to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes after they finish their sentences.
The mayor last week also committed to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
The catalyst for the changes, White said last week, was the shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
In a story this weekend, the Houston Chronicle reported that very few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail, according to recent documents obtained by the Chronicle through a public records request.
Since August, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has participated in the 287 (g)program, and has stepped up screening in the county's jail system.
Last week, conservative TV talk show host Glenn Beck went on a tear about Salter's shooting
March 17, 2009
Houston Mayor Bill White sent a letter this week to a top U.S. immigration official requesting that the federal government expedite Houston's participation in the controversial 287 (g) program that trains jailers to act as immigration agents.
In the letter, dated Monday, White also says he will be urging "other jail custodians" in the Houston region to enter into agreements with the federal government. (See the text of the letter below.)
The rush for a 287 (g) agreement marks a departure from the mayor's past position that local police should have limited involvement in immigration enforcement. In addition to committing to improve screening at Houston's jails, White is pressuring the federal government to deport illegal immigrants convicted of crimes after they finish their sentences.
The mayor last week also committed to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
The catalyst for the changes, White said last week, was the shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
In a story this weekend, the Houston Chronicle reported that very few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail, according to recent documents obtained by the Chronicle through a public records request.
Since August, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has participated in the 287 (g)program, and has stepped up screening in the county's jail system.
Last week, conservative TV talk show host Glenn Beck went on a tear about Salter's shooting
Mayor takes heat on immigration plans
As reported in the Chronicle's blog
April 21, 2009
About 50 people came to City Hall today to protest Mayor Bill White's decision to participate in the federal government's 287(g) program, which trains local jailers to assist immigration agents.
Standing in front of signs that read "Deportation destroys families," several representatives of the group Pastores en Accion (Pastors in Action) urged the mayor to reconsider, saying stepped-up immigration enforcement in the jails could have a ripple effect of broader enforcement by police officers in immigrant communities, or even spill over into racial profiling.
Rev. Diane McGehee, one of the pastors who attended the public session of City Council, who also identified herself as a lawyer, said the policy would target "the least of these," a reference to Christ's admonition in Matthew 25:40.
"As a pastor, I believe the way we treat the immigrant population in this country is going to define who we are," she said. "I think how we treat the immigrant population defines our future... As a Christian, we are told by Christ to love everyone equally, the immigrants as well as our brother, father, sister, mother. I'm really concerned about 287g."
White defended the policy, noting that the city's aim is to ensure that the city has the right information to be able to help federal agents remove from this country "deportable felons" -- that is, legal or illegal immigrants that have been convicted of felony crimes.
The mayor has said he was galvanized to call on the federal government to improve its cooperation with cities and counties after last month's shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
He may have also been moved to request 287(g) after a Houston Chronicle report last month showed that few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail.
After the report, White asked to participate in 287(g) and to commit to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
In today's council meeting, he said that 287(g) "has become sort of a symbol of something else on both sides of this immigration issue."
As advocates spoke in the meeting, dozens of people held up "No to 287g" signs in the audience, and several Council Members expressed reservations about the program and called for a more complete dialogue with the mayor.
If police officers have discretion to take someone to jail because they are driving without a license, "a lot of people will be going to jail," said Councilman M.J. Khan, a Pakistani immigrant who admitted to forgetting his driver's license in the past. "Chances are that a lot of innocent people who have nothing to do with this huge issue of illegal immigration will be getting hurt if that happens."
"I'm concerned about splitting families, and I'm concerned that we have an immigrant community that's fearful of dealing with police," said Councilman James Rodriguez. "Communication and dialogue is what's needed here."
Khan and Rodriguez said they support the idea of keeping violent criminals off the streets.
April 21, 2009
About 50 people came to City Hall today to protest Mayor Bill White's decision to participate in the federal government's 287(g) program, which trains local jailers to assist immigration agents.
Standing in front of signs that read "Deportation destroys families," several representatives of the group Pastores en Accion (Pastors in Action) urged the mayor to reconsider, saying stepped-up immigration enforcement in the jails could have a ripple effect of broader enforcement by police officers in immigrant communities, or even spill over into racial profiling.
Rev. Diane McGehee, one of the pastors who attended the public session of City Council, who also identified herself as a lawyer, said the policy would target "the least of these," a reference to Christ's admonition in Matthew 25:40.
"As a pastor, I believe the way we treat the immigrant population in this country is going to define who we are," she said. "I think how we treat the immigrant population defines our future... As a Christian, we are told by Christ to love everyone equally, the immigrants as well as our brother, father, sister, mother. I'm really concerned about 287g."
White defended the policy, noting that the city's aim is to ensure that the city has the right information to be able to help federal agents remove from this country "deportable felons" -- that is, legal or illegal immigrants that have been convicted of felony crimes.
The mayor has said he was galvanized to call on the federal government to improve its cooperation with cities and counties after last month's shooting of Houston Police Officer Richard Salter, who was critically injured by an illegal immigrant from El Salvador during a drug raid and remains hospitalized.
He may have also been moved to request 287(g) after a Houston Chronicle report last month showed that few illegal immigrants are being identified in the city jail. Last year, HPD jailers detained for immigration officials less than 1 percent of the 58,774 suspects booked only into the city's jails and not transferred to the Harris County Jail.
After the report, White asked to participate in 287(g) and to commit to using a Homeland Security database that automatically checks suspects' immigration history.
In today's council meeting, he said that 287(g) "has become sort of a symbol of something else on both sides of this immigration issue."
As advocates spoke in the meeting, dozens of people held up "No to 287g" signs in the audience, and several Council Members expressed reservations about the program and called for a more complete dialogue with the mayor.
If police officers have discretion to take someone to jail because they are driving without a license, "a lot of people will be going to jail," said Councilman M.J. Khan, a Pakistani immigrant who admitted to forgetting his driver's license in the past. "Chances are that a lot of innocent people who have nothing to do with this huge issue of illegal immigration will be getting hurt if that happens."
"I'm concerned about splitting families, and I'm concerned that we have an immigrant community that's fearful of dealing with police," said Councilman James Rodriguez. "Communication and dialogue is what's needed here."
Khan and Rodriguez said they support the idea of keeping violent criminals off the streets.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
New study: Most Hispanics have confidence in local police
As reported by the Chronicle's blog:
April 07, 2009
Most Latinos have confidence in their local police departments, but just half are confident that police will treat them fairly if they have a run-in with the law, according to a new Pew Hispanic Center study.
The report found that Latinos are more suspicious of local police than are non-Hispanic whites -- but more trusting of law enforcement than African Americans are.
Here are key findings from the study:
Six-in-ten (61%) Hispanics say they have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence that the police in their local communities will do a good job enforcing the law, compared with 78% of whites and 55% of blacks. Just under half (46%) of Hispanics say they have confidence that police officers will not use excessive force on suspects, compared with 73% of whites and 38% of blacks. Similarly, just under half of Hispanics say they are confident that police officers will treat Hispanics fairly (46%) and that courts will treat Hispanics fairly (49%). In comparison, 74% of whites and 37% of blacks say they have confidence that the police will treat blacks and whites equally.
The report also finds that more than half (56%) of Latinos say they or an immediate family member had contact with the criminal justice system in the previous five years. Contact includes reporting a crime to the police, serving on a jury, serving as a sworn witness in court, attending court on a criminal matter, being questioned by the police, being arrested, being on probation or parole, or serving time in jail or prison.
April 07, 2009
Most Latinos have confidence in their local police departments, but just half are confident that police will treat them fairly if they have a run-in with the law, according to a new Pew Hispanic Center study.
The report found that Latinos are more suspicious of local police than are non-Hispanic whites -- but more trusting of law enforcement than African Americans are.
Here are key findings from the study:
Six-in-ten (61%) Hispanics say they have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence that the police in their local communities will do a good job enforcing the law, compared with 78% of whites and 55% of blacks. Just under half (46%) of Hispanics say they have confidence that police officers will not use excessive force on suspects, compared with 73% of whites and 38% of blacks. Similarly, just under half of Hispanics say they are confident that police officers will treat Hispanics fairly (46%) and that courts will treat Hispanics fairly (49%). In comparison, 74% of whites and 37% of blacks say they have confidence that the police will treat blacks and whites equally.
The report also finds that more than half (56%) of Latinos say they or an immediate family member had contact with the criminal justice system in the previous five years. Contact includes reporting a crime to the police, serving on a jury, serving as a sworn witness in court, attending court on a criminal matter, being questioned by the police, being arrested, being on probation or parole, or serving time in jail or prison.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Hispanics falling behind in college admission, high school graduation
05:17 PM CDT on Sunday, April 5, 2009
Associated Press
HOUSTON-- The state’s Hispanic students are falling behind educationally, with high school graduation rates lower than average and college enrollment lagging behind that of black and white students.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Texas, but they are falling behind in some measures of academic success.
Only 68 percent graduate from high school within four years, 10 points below the overall rate, and just 42.5 percent of those who graduated in 2007 enrolled in college or technical training the following fall, lower rates than black and white students.
The challenges of improving education of Hispanics, who make up about 36 percent of the state, have been complicated by rapid growth.
“We’ve made progress,” said Raymund Paredes, higher education commissioner for Texas, in a story published Sunday for the Houston Chronicle. “Our challenge is, we started so far behind, and the Latino population is growing so fast.”
Hispanic enrollment in college has grown faster than any other racial or ethnic group in the past five years, but the population has grown almost as quickly, wiping out much of the gains.
Paredes said the numbers have to improve to ensure the state has a well-educated work force.
“The Hispanic community is key to the economic future of Texas,” he said.
The state launched a plan in 2000 called Closing the Gaps with hopes of increasing college enrollment to 5.7 percent of the population by 2015 -- on-par with the national average.
The rate has edged up to 5.3 percent from 5 percent overall. For Hispanics, the rate is 3.9 percent, up from 3.7 percent.
To reach the 2015 enrollment goal, the state would need to have 1.6 million Texans enrolled in two- or four-year colleges or technical schools. Last fall, the number was about 1.2 million, and estimates by the Higher Education Coordinating Board suggest Texas will likely fall short by about 300,000 students.
Associated Press
HOUSTON-- The state’s Hispanic students are falling behind educationally, with high school graduation rates lower than average and college enrollment lagging behind that of black and white students.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Texas, but they are falling behind in some measures of academic success.
Only 68 percent graduate from high school within four years, 10 points below the overall rate, and just 42.5 percent of those who graduated in 2007 enrolled in college or technical training the following fall, lower rates than black and white students.
The challenges of improving education of Hispanics, who make up about 36 percent of the state, have been complicated by rapid growth.
“We’ve made progress,” said Raymund Paredes, higher education commissioner for Texas, in a story published Sunday for the Houston Chronicle. “Our challenge is, we started so far behind, and the Latino population is growing so fast.”
Hispanic enrollment in college has grown faster than any other racial or ethnic group in the past five years, but the population has grown almost as quickly, wiping out much of the gains.
Paredes said the numbers have to improve to ensure the state has a well-educated work force.
“The Hispanic community is key to the economic future of Texas,” he said.
The state launched a plan in 2000 called Closing the Gaps with hopes of increasing college enrollment to 5.7 percent of the population by 2015 -- on-par with the national average.
The rate has edged up to 5.3 percent from 5 percent overall. For Hispanics, the rate is 3.9 percent, up from 3.7 percent.
To reach the 2015 enrollment goal, the state would need to have 1.6 million Texans enrolled in two- or four-year colleges or technical schools. Last fall, the number was about 1.2 million, and estimates by the Higher Education Coordinating Board suggest Texas will likely fall short by about 300,000 students.
Early Voting Locations - District H
For the week of Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1: 8 AM to 5 PM
For Saturday, May 2: 7 AM to 7 PM
For Sunday, May 3: 1 PM to 6 PM
For Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5: 7 AM to 7 PM
There are three locations:
The Harris County Administrative Building, 1001 Preston St downtown, first floor.
Moody Park Recreation Center, 3725 Fulton Street, which I believe is in Lindale.
Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 4410 Navigation Blvd, in the East End.
For Saturday, May 2: 7 AM to 7 PM
For Sunday, May 3: 1 PM to 6 PM
For Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5: 7 AM to 7 PM
There are three locations:
The Harris County Administrative Building, 1001 Preston St downtown, first floor.
Moody Park Recreation Center, 3725 Fulton Street, which I believe is in Lindale.
Ripley House Neighborhood Center, 4410 Navigation Blvd, in the East End.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Candidate interview: Hugo Mojica
April 01, 2009
By Charles Kuffner
We are getting close to the end of my interview series with District H candidates. Today I have a conversation with Hugo Mojica, who is a native of the Northside and who has worked for former Council members Gabe Vasquez and Michael Berry. He currently works for the Brilliant Lecture Series, a local nonprofit organization. My interview with Hugo Mojica is here.
By Charles Kuffner
We are getting close to the end of my interview series with District H candidates. Today I have a conversation with Hugo Mojica, who is a native of the Northside and who has worked for former Council members Gabe Vasquez and Michael Berry. He currently works for the Brilliant Lecture Series, a local nonprofit organization. My interview with Hugo Mojica is here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
