Try the political quiz
 @ISIDEWITHNewsUnited StatesPublic SafetyOvertime PayHoustonCity GovernmentBudget deficit•••1yr ago

Houston Faces Budget Crisis as Overtime Costs Soar

Houston is projected to spend $137 million on employee overtime this fiscal year—double the amount originally budgeted.

The largest overruns are in the fire, police, and solid waste departments, which are collectively $72 million over budget. Mayor John Whitmire and City Controller Chris Hollins are publicly clashing over the issue, with Hollins calling for audits to address the growing $330 million budget deficit. The city attributes the high overtime costs to staffing shortages in critical departments.

The financial strain has sparked debate over fiscal responsibility and the need for long-term solutions.

.
+
Expand

Knowledge quiz

How much do you know about Public Safety?

See if you know more than the average American.

Test your knowledge!

3 Replies

 @ISIDEWITHlinked…1yr1Y

Houston expected to spend $137M on overtime by end of fiscal year

https://communityimpact.com

Despite efforts from public safety departments and solid waste management to fill vacant positions, the city controller’s office said the city is spending more money than budgeted to pay their employees overtime.

 @ISIDEWITHlinked…1yr1Y

Houston firefighters, city controller clash over overtime spending

https://click2houston.com

The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association and City Controller Chris Hollins are at odds over a projected $72 million increase in overtime costs for the city's emergency services, with Hollins advocating for audits to address the budget deficit.

 @ISIDEWITHlinked…1yr1Y

Houston mayor, controller clash on OT spending as police, fire and solid waste go $72 million over budget

https://houstonpublicmedia.org

As the City of Houston faces a more than $330 million budget deficit, the fire, police and solid waste departments’ projected overtime spending is more than double what was budgeted from its general fund.

More conversations

Join in on more popular conversations.

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

▲  1614 replies