Just a little weekend roundup:
- Houston starts voluntary furlough program for city workers (Bradley Olson, Houston Chronicle)
Some viewed the proposal as a mere starting point for much more draconian cuts sure to be on the way.
In addition to the $30 million gap the city must close in the next six months, there remains a $118 million gap in 2012 and about a $420 million projected deficit in the next three years. To deal with those gaps, the administration has begun to contemplate raising taxes, instituting additional furloughs and renegotiating pension payments.
[snip]
“It’s too little, too late,” said [Councilmember Mike] Sullivan, who said he would take a furlough. “I compliment her for showing up to the party, finally, but it’s not a significant cut and she needs to make some significant cuts.”
Hmm, wasn’t CM Sullivan one of the councilmembers who voted unanimously to pass the city’s “balanced” budget back in June? And it now turns out that there is a problem? Interesting.
- Houston's finance director quits amid budget crisis (Bradley Olson, Houston Chronicle)
Ship. Sinking? - Angry woman releases possum outside Houston City Hall (Kevin Reece, KHOU-11 News)
Well played, madam. - Mayor's Office Makes Clear Transgendered Woman Should Not Have Been Arrested For Using Women's Bathroom (Hair Balls)
It’s good to know the mayor’s office has its priorities in order. If Mayor Parker could finally issue a similarly clear statement on the ongoing red-light-camera controversy, that would be great! - Hollywood myth-making on Valerie Plame controversy (WaPo)
A good editorial by the Washington Post. The Chron‘s *ahem* uncritical commentary on the movie was recently taken apart by Unca Darrell. - Mike Reed wins public service award for coverage of Metro shenanigans (Brazosport News)
Kudos to Mike Reed! While he (and Mark Greenblatt) were busy exposing METRO’s shenanigans, all that the Chron apologists (which included the editorial board, Lisa Falkenberg, and Mike Snyder) had to offer was some lame criticism of journos in town actually covering the mess.
