Mayor Sylvester Turner Gives Houston’s State Of The City Address

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner delivered his state of the city address Thursday at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown.

Turner was introduced by University of Houston Head Football Coach Major Applewhite, who praised Turner for his dedication, energy and drive to make Houston a better place.

“There’s a passion inside of him (Turner), that there is not one time or one opportunity that he wants to let pass,” Applewhite said. “The image and the future of the city of Houston is something that is very important to him. He doesn’t waste a single down, doesn’t waste a single rep or a single step out on that field.”

Turner started his address with praise for the city’s diversity, which serves as a unifier rather than a divider.

“We are a very welcoming city and we embrace Houstonians for who they are and where they come from.” he said.

Turner, a former state legislature and attorney, has been in the spotlight lately with his push in the state senate to have his pension reform plan passed.

Read Also: Houston’s Pension Reform Plan Gets Senate Approval

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Turner’s pension reform plan is designed to eliminate $8.1 billion in unfunded pension liability within 30 years, reduces benefits avoiding more than $2.5 billion in future costs, and will include the issuance of at least $1 billion in bonds.

Turner presented his pension plan to the state legislature in January, and warned last week that failure to pass the pension reform plan would result in as many as 2,200 layoffs.

However, with the passage in the senate, it seems more likely that the house will also pass the pension bill on Saturday.

“It’s not a perfect pension deal, but it’s a very good deal for the city of Houston,” Turner said.

The passage of the bill will mean no layoffs, and will help ensure the city can maintain needed public services without serious cuts.

Turner has also worked to find a viable solution to the increasing issue of homelessness, and added that he’d had several calls from business owners in recent weeks asking for a solution.
Turner said the homeless issue was a humanitarian issue, and not one that could be solved by turning a blind eye any longer.

In March, Turner announced a six-point plan that included constructing low level shelters that will remove homeless encampments from beneath freeway underpasses and busy freeways, and increasing public awareness.

“Permanently housing the homeless with the essential services they need is at the center of our plan,” he said.

Since his election in 2015, Turner said the city has worked to help more than 1,000 homeless veterans find permanent housing.

Turner said it cost $2.1 million to house 251 chronically homeless people , Turner said.

“I know it’s not a good sight to see people under our bridges,” he said. “I know it’s not something we are proud of...but I also recognize that there are people who have fallen through our cracks, people who are needed our help...I fully understand that people want them gone. I got that. But I also know that these are not potholes. These are human beings and they are on our streets.”

The plan also calls for housing the some of the homeless for up to a year, where they can obtain essential service, and hopefully find meaningful employment.

That come at a cost of about $8,500 per person for one year, he said.

“We must provide them (the homeless) with options. If don’t want them under our overpasses, we must give them options,” he said. “If we can take people to the moon, I believe we can take care of our people right here on earth.”

Image: Creative Commons

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