The seemingly unfocused Parker Administration hits political turbulence in today’s edition of news and views:
- Radiation in Houston’s tap water, long history of contamination (Mark Greenblatt, KHOU-11 News)
That old Chris Bell/Dan Jones plan to sell bottled water under the Houston label looks sillier all the time. - Houston’s red-light funds loss adds to grim outlook (Brad Olson, Houston Chronicle)
Several City Council members sharply criticized the administration in an acrimonious budget meeting last week in which many of the stark details were revealed, particularly the amount of time Parker spent on updating the city’s historic preservation ordinance in the wake of the financial challenges.
Mayor Pro Tem Anne Clutterbuck, who chairs council’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee, said council members are prepared to make tough decisions, but they need time to weigh the various austerity measures Parker is planning.
“It is the sincere desire of council to see the administration bring something forward so we can act on it,” she said.
Much of the frustration was over a $9 million increase in expenses and the fact that efforts to cut the budget through departmental consolidations or better management of the city’s fleet have not yet been realized.
Forget the silly Chron headline on the story. The real stories are: 1) That Mayor Parker seems to be dithering with relatively trivial nonsense (like historic preservation, eco-shuttles, and education summits) while the city’s deficit grows larger (and the choices to close the deficit more painful); and 2) That Council passed a sham “balanced budget” back in June, and everyone just went along with the charade for months.
- Controversy grows over Port of Houston board appointment (Gabe Gutierrez, KHOU-11 News)
Dozens of supporters, for both candidates, packed city council chambers to speak before council members.
“Dean will represent labor,” union member Richard Shaw said. “And that’s really what the Port’s all about. It’s about working men and women out there.”
No, actually, that’s not “really what the Port’s all about.” But it is illustrative when folks who want payback waddle up to the political trough and are so forthcoming. See below.
- Makeup of Port Commission called into question (Miya Shay, KTRK-13 News)
Multiple sources at City Hall say the reason Parker has been working hard to appoint Corgey is because his particular union supported her during the mayoral campaign. We understand she’s doing a lot of lobbying in the background right now to get her way. It’s a crucial vote that can go both ways.
It would be nice if Mayor Parker were spending a little more time trying to fix the budget mess (preferably with more spending cuts and fewer fee increases).
- Perception of Lykos runs two ways (Brian Rogers, Houston Chronicle)
- Sheriff Garcia using tax money to do favors (Jeremy Rogalski, KHOU-11 News)
- Top value: High price for Houston's 'GhostBusters' skyscraper a good omen (Houston Chronicle)
Matt Bramanti notes that wikipedia seems to have been an inspiration to the Chron‘s sorry editorial board on this one.
