This Week: State Judge Rules Prop B Unconstitutional; UNESCO Slave Route Project Designates ‘Sites of Memory’ in Houston; Boards & Commissions Fair
State Judge Rules Prop B Unconstitutional
Judge Tanya Garrison of the 157th District Court ruled that Prop B, the controversial measure approved by the voters to mandate “pay parity” for Houston’s fire and police departments, is unconstitutional. She wrote in her final judgement that Prop B violates article XI, section 5 of the Texas Constitution and is thus void in its entirety.
At an annual cost of $80M, and with no funding source provided in the petition, the measure had previously required layoffs for 220 firefighters, 66 fire cadets, and 47 municipal employees to balance the upcoming FY2020 budget.
Due to the new ruling, Mayor Turner announced that all layoff notices will be rescinded and, on Thursday, May 16th, the fire cadets were sworn in by Fire Chief Sam Pena.
Mayor Turner has stated his intent to negotiate with the Houston Professional Fire Fighter’s Association union for a salary increase for firefighters that the City of Houston can afford.
UNESCO Slave Route Project Designates ‘Sites of Memory’ in Houston
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) designated seven sites in the Houston region, including four in District C, as ‘Sites of Memory’ associated with the international Slave Route Project. The cultural designation sites include:
- The African American Library at the Gregory School (District C)
- Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
- Emancipation Park
- The Middle Passage Marker, Port of Galeveston, TX
- Olivewood Cemetery (District C)
- The Reverend Ned Pullum and Emma Eddy Pullum House, a property within theRutherford B. H. Yates Museum (District C)
- The Workman’s Cottage – Barbershop/Beauty Shop Museum, a property wtihin the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum (District C)
Boards & Commissions Fair
On Tuesday, May 21st, the City of Houston will host the inaugural Boards & CommissionsFair for those interested in becoming more active in their communities. Mayor Turner and his Boards & Commissions Director, Maria Del Pilar Montes, will discuss opportunities for Houstonians to serve on various boards, commissions, and advisory committees. A reception will begin at 5:30PM, followed by a program at 6PM, in the Legacy Room on the ground floor of City Hall (901 Bagby St, 77002).