Without considering who would best handle Houston’s most serious problem: pension debt. The Houston Chronicle opted to endorse Turner and praise him for his years of being an elected official.
Charles Blain
Houston ISD Auditor Ignored Whistleblower
Frank Hodges, a veteran employee with HISD, reported numerous instances of waste and mismanagement in the district but was repeatedly ignored.
Patrick Wants Union Dues Examination
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s interim charge on union dues is meant to examine why unions, who largely donate to democrats, are able to collect employee dues using government resources, before employees even see their pay. During the 84th Legislative Session pro-union House...
HISD Vendor Forewarned Construction Problems
Recently, a Houston school district employee refuted claims that the district's board was unaware of ongoing problems with budget and contracting practices. Now, a longtime HISD vendor, Charter Roofing, is also saying they too alerted Audit Committee Chair Trustee...
HISD Employee Speaks Out
A Houston school district employee is refuting claims that school board members were unaware of problems with the district’s bond program. Frank Hodges, a 34-year HISD employee, recently sent an email to Board President Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Audit Committee Chair...
Over-Promised Pension Returns
It’s widely known that city officials’ funny numbers understate debt costs in the Bayou City. Continuing the dissection of the pension problem, it's important look at how officials use inflated projected returns on investment (ROI) to understate pension debt. When...
HISD Construction Corruption
HISD’s Board of Trustees failed to acknowledge the looming bond shortfall, and failed to give directive to the Superintendent and administration following the revelation. But, according to an internal audit, it seems that their lackadaisical attitude trickled down to...
HISD Trustees Knew of Looming Shortfall
Houston ISD’s culture of corruption continues.
Spending, Revenue, or Pensions?
The Greater Houston Partnership has released their second white paper, “Is Now the Time to Raise Property Taxes?” The partnership’s last paper, which outlined the economic crisis Houston currently faces, was met by heavy scrutiny from Houston Mayor Annise Parker and...
Houston Puts Unions Over Taxpayers
Houston City Council approved the 2015 Houston Organization of Public Employees (HOPE) agreement for municipal employees with very little fanfare or scrutiny. The three-year agreement offers increased benefits to employees covered by the contract but, as usual, at the...