Houston City Council Gives Thumbs Up to Turner's Pension Plan

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston City Council passed a resolution Wednesday supporting Mayor Sylvester Turner's pension reform plan with a 16-1 vote.

The proposal will now be drafted into legislation that will be presented to the Texas Legislature when it convenes next year.

Turner’s plan, which is designed to eliminate $5.6 billion in unfunded pension liability within 30 years, calls for the city’s pension systems to be fully funded by 2046.

At a press conference Tuesday, State Senator Paul Bettencourt asked that the vote on the council resolution be delayed until more information on the plan was available.

The call for a delay was again made at the start of the meeting by Councilman Michael Kubosh.

However, Kubosh removed his request after he was reminded sternly by Turner that this has been a problem that has plagued the city for 15 years, and they were there to represent the people, not a political party.

“I stand with the people of the city of Houston. I was voted to represent their interests, not some party affiliation or some political interest or somebody who wants to be mayor. I represent the people of the city of
Houston and the pension issue has been holding the city back for a long time. Employees deserve certainty,” said Turner.

The city attorney and attorneys for the pension boards will start working to sign off on the language of the terms of the deal, which will be sent to state lawmakers for consideration.