November 2017

     

ON THE ISSUES: November 7, 2017 Election

Tuesday, November 7^th is Election Day! This election, Houstonians will be presented with a ballot that asks them to vote "For" or "Against" five municipal propositions that, if all passed, will issue bonds for the purpose of (1) funding a portion of the City of Houston's unfunded pension liability; (2) funding public safety improvements; (3) funding park improvements; (4) funding improvements that support public health and wellness, sanitation, and other essential City services; and (5) funding library improvements.[1]

Municipal candidates typically drive voter turnout in off (odd) year elections in Houston, but term limit changes have left the 2017 ballot without a mayoral, controller, or city council race to drive voter participation. While the November 7^th ballot will not include municipal candidates[2], the propositions up for consideration do address City financial matters that impact all Houstonians.

Houston Pension Reform

In May 2017, the Texas Legislature approved pension reform measures stemming from the Mayor's "Houston Pension Solution" that afforded municipal workers, police officers, and firefighters with more sustainable pension systems. The pension reform package will reduce the City's estimated $8.2 billion in unfunded pension liability by more than 30 percent by incorporating approximately $2.9 billion in cuts to the pension systems, and set a hard 30-year amortization period, among other things. In addition to the package of cuts, the City agreed to fund the police and municipal worker systems, which were underfunded. To fund these two systems, the City seeks to issue approximately $1 billion in pension obligation bonds to pay pension debt in connection with the underfunded municipal and police pension systems over a closed 30-year amortization. The pension plan also calls for immediate cost reductions in the three pension plans, which were achieved by employees agreeing to approximately $2.9 billion in reductions that include cost of living adjustments, among other things. Finally, the pension reform plan includes the corridor concept. Should anticipated pension costs grow outside the corridor limits, the corridor requires the City and the pension systems to return to the negotiation table to make adjustments.

The issuance of the approximately $1 billion in pension obligation bonds to help pay pension debt of the police and municipal workers' systems is contingent on the outcome of ballot Proposition A. Should Proposition A not pass, the police officers' pension reductions of $1.07 billion will not take effect, and municipal workers may opt out of their $768 million share of the $2.9 billion in cuts across all pension systems, which could amount to a combined approximate figure of $1.8 billion in cuts potentially no longer being part of the package of cost reductions to the pension systems.

The proposition ballot language is as follows:

City of Houston, Proposition A [3]

Shall the City Council of the City of Houston, Texas, be authorized to issue bonds of the City, which may be called City of Houston, Texas, Pension Obligation Bonds in the amount of $1,010,000,000, maturing serially or otherwise at such times as they may be fixed by the City Council, not to exceed 40 years from their date or dates and bearing interest at any rate or rates, either fixed, variable or floating, according to any clearly stated formula, calculation or method, not exceeding the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, and to sell said bonds at any price or prices, all as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy a tax upon all taxable property in the City annually sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as it accrues or accretes, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as they mature, as well as all payments under any credit agreements, such as tax to be levied without being limited by any provisions of the City's home rule charter limiting or otherwise restricting the City's combined ad valorem tax rates or combined revenues from all City operations, for the purpose of funding a portion of the unfunded liability of the City with respect to the Houston Police Officers' Pension System and the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System as contemplated by the pension reform plan contained in Senate Bill 2190 (adopted in the 85 ^th (2017) Texas Legislature, Regular Session), and all matters necessary or incidental thereto?

Ballot Language for Proposition A:

The issuance of $1,010,000,000 pension obligation bonds for the purpose of funding a portion of the unfunded liability of the City with respect to the Houston Police Officers' Pension System and the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System as contemplated by the pension reform plan contained in Senate Bill 2190 (adopted in the 85th (2017) Texas Legislature, Regular Session), and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon .

A vote "For" Proposition A means the City can issue the pension obligation bonds to fund a portion of the unfunded pension liability for police and municipal workers.

A vote "Against" Proposition A means the City cannot issue the pension obligations bonds to fund a portion of the unfunded pension liability for police and municipal workers.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

This July, City Council approved the City of Houston Fiscal Year 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is the five-year rolling plan of projected City infrastructure improvement projects, and is updated annually to address Houston's changing needs and priorities. The existing approved CIP allocates funds for improvements for parks, libraries, and the police and fire departments, as well as improvements that support health, solid waste management, and general City services.

Fully funding these programs for Fiscal Years 2018-2022 requires the City to issue public improvement bonds in the amount of $495 million. The issuance of these bonds is contingent on the outcome of ballot Propositions B-E.

City of Houston, Proposition B[4]

Shall the City Council of the City of Houston, Texas, be authorized to issue bonds of the City, which may be called City of Houston, Texas, Public Improvement Bonds in the amount of $159,000,000, maturing serially or otherwise at such times as may be fixed by the City Council, not to exceed 40 years from their date or dates and bearing interest at any rate or rates, either fixed, variable or floating, according to any clearly stated formula, calculation or method, not exceeding the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, and to sell said bonds at any price or prices, all as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy a tax upon all taxable property in the City annually sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as it accrues or accretes, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as they mature, as well as all payments under any credit agreements, such tax to be levied without being limited by any provisions of the City's home rule charter limiting or otherwise restricting the City's combined ad valorem tax rates or combined revenues from all City operations, for the purpose of the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipping of public safety permanent improvements for or benefiting the police and fire departments and department facilities, which may include joint facilities with other political subdivisions, the acquisition of lands and rights-of-way for any such improvements and for other public safety purposes of such departments, and all matters necessary or incidental thereto?

Ballot Language for Proposition B:

The issuance of $159,000,000 public safety improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of public safety permanent improvements for the police and fire departments and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon.

A vote "For" Proposition B means the City can issue the public safety improvement bonds in order to make public safety permanent improvements, such as fleet replacement needs for the fire and police departments, among other things.

A vote "Against" Proposition B means the City cannot issue the public safety improvement bonds in order to make public safety permanent improvements, such as fleet replacement needs for the fire and police departments, among other things.

City of Houston Proposition C[5]

Shall the City Council of the City of Houston, Texas, be authorized to issue bonds of the City, which may be called City of Houston, Texas, Public Improvement Bonds in the amount of $104,000,000, maturing serially or otherwise at such times as may be fixed by the City Council, not to exceed 40 years from their date or dates and bearing interest at any rate or rates, either fixed, variable or floating, according to any clearly stated formula, calculation or method, not exceeding the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, and to sell said bonds at any price or prices, all as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy a tax upon all taxable property in the City annually sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as it accrues or accretes, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as they mature, as well as all payments under any credit agreements, such tax to be levied without being limited by any provisions of the City's home rule charter limiting or otherwise restricting the City's combined ad valorem tax rates or combined revenues from all City operations, for the purpose of the conservation, improvement, acquisition, construction and equipment of neighborhood parks, recreational facilities and bayous, including such green spaces along all bayous to create an integrated system of bayou walking, running, and bicycle trails, which includes the acquisition of land, conservation easements and rights-of-way for the enhancement, preservation and protection of the health of its citizens, water quality, natural habitat and native wildlife, and which may include joint facilities and/or improvements with other political subdivisions that are owned by or benefit the City, and all matters necessary or incidental thereto?

Ballot Language for Proposition C:

The issuance of $104,000,000 park improvement bonds for the conservation, improvement, acquisition, construction and equipment of neighborhood parks, recreational facilities and bayous, including such green spaces along all bayous to create an integrated system of bayou walking, running and bicycle trails to enhance, preserve and protect the health of citizens, water quality, natural habitat and native wildlife and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon.

A vote "For" Proposition C means the City can issue the park improvement bonds in order to make improvements to neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, and bayous, such as construction of the new Alief Multi-Service Center, among other things.

A vote "Against" Proposition C means the City cannot issue the park improvement bonds in order to make improvements to neighborhood parks, recreational facilities, and bayous, such as construction of the new Alief Multi-Service Center, among other things.

City of Houston, Proposition D[6]

Shall the City Council of the City of Houston, Texas, be authorized to issue bonds of the City, which may be called City of Houston, Texas, Public Improvement Bonds in the amount of $109,000,000, maturing serially or otherwise at such times as may be fixed by the City Council, not to exceed 40 years from their date or dates and bearing interest at any rate or rates, either fixed, variable or floating, according to any clearly stated formula, calculation or method, not exceeding the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, and to sell said bonds at any price or prices, all as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy a tax upon all taxable property in the City annually sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as it accrues or accretes, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as they mature, as well as all payments under any credit agreements, such tax to be levied without being limited by any provisions of the City's home rule charter limiting or otherwise restricting the City's combined ad valorem tax rates or combined revenues from all City operations, for the purpose of the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, remediation and equipment of permanent public improvements owned and operated by the City that support public health and wellness, sanitation and other essential governmental and general services of the City, which may include joint facilities with other political subdivisions, and acquiring lands and rights-of-way for such permanent improvements, and all matters necessary or incidental hereto?

Ballot Language for Proposition D:

The issuance of $109,000,000 public facility improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, remediation and equipment of permanent improvements that support public health and wellness, sanitation and other essential governmental and general services of the City and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon.

A vote "For" Proposition D means the City can issue the public facility improvement bonds in order to make permanent improvements that support public health and wellness, sanitization, and other essential and governmental services, such as renovation of the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, among other things.

A vote "Against" Proposition D means the City cannot issue the public facility improvement bonds in order to make permanent improvements that support public health and wellness, sanitization, and other essential and governmental services, such as renovation of the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, among other things.

City of Houston, Proposition E[7]

Shall the City Council of the City of Houston, Texas, be authorized to issue bonds of the City, which may be called City of Houston, Texas, Public Improvement Bonds in the amount of $123,000,000, maturing serially or otherwise at such times as may be fixed by the City Council, not to exceed 40 years from their date or dates and bearing interest at any rate or rates, either fixed, variable or floating, according to any clearly stated formula, calculation or method, not exceeding the maximum interest rate now or hereafter authorized by law, and to sell said bonds at any price or prices, all as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy a tax upon all taxable property in the City annually sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as it accrues or accretes, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the principal of the bonds (together with any bonds that may be issued to refund the bonds) as they mature, as well as all payments under any credit agreements, such tax to be levied without being limited by any provisions of the City's home rule charter limiting or otherwise restricting the City's combined ad valorem tax rates or combined revenues from all City operations, for the purpose of the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipping the public library system, which may include joint facilities with other political subdivisions, the acquisition of lands and rights-of-way for such improvements and all matters necessary or incidental thereto?

Ballot Language for Proposition E:

The issuance of $123,000,000 library improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of the public library system and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon.

A vote "For" Proposition E means the City can issue the library improvement bonds in order to improve the public library system.

A vote "Against" Proposition E means the City cannot issue the library improvement bonds in order to improve the public library system.

Election Day polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Early Voting polling locations may be different from Election Day polling sites, so make sure to visit the Harris County Clerk's Office website to find your polling place for Early Voting polling locations as well as Election Day polling locations.

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HAPPENING AT CITY HALL: Plan Houston and The Complete Communities Initiative

In 2016, the City of Houston took unprecedented action to connect the City's budgeting process to Houston's first strategic long-range general plan, known as Plan Houston. Plan Houston outlines Houston's vision and core strategies to set the framework for the City's long-term goals. In the fall of 2016, Plan Houston also incorporated resident priorities to develop and inform initiatives. Between October 14 and December 16, 2016, Houstonians participated in the Plan Houston resident survey. The survey results revealed that (1) crime and public safety, (2) flooding, and (3) potholes and streets were the top three issues survey participants wanted to see addressed in the next year. In May 2017, during the City of Houston's budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), the City departments and the Mayor's Office linked their FY18 budgets and initiatives to Plan Houston Priorities, which were informed by the Plan Houston survey results, among other things. The Mayor's Priorities that tie to Plan Houston are identified in the FY18 Budget and include:  Public Safety, Complete Communities, and Services and Infrastructure.[1]

At the present time, the City's efforts relating to Plan Houston efforts to improve Houston communities will include Public Safety, Complete Communities, and Services and Infrastructure, and largely will focus on implementation of the Complete Communities Initiative[2], which embodies several of the Plan Houston action items stemming from "Grow Responsibly" and "Nurture Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods" core strategies, rather than conducting an annual Plan Houston resident survey. Complete Communities is designed to revitalize Houston's under-resourced communities in partnership with neighborhood residents. Currently, the five (5) pilot communities of Acres Homes, Gulfton, Second Ward, Near Northside, and Third Ward currently are developing their Action Plans; which are community-driven plans that identify the visions, goals, and actions necessary to address each community's priorities with short-term and long-term projects.

The following communities will host Complete Communities meetings in November:

Visit the Complete Communities website or sign up for the CC Newsletter to receive updates about the Complete Communities Initiative.

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Presented in collaboration with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the "Be The Solution: Senior Citizens Town Hall" will provide senior citizens the opportunity to "be the solution" for their communities, express their concerns, and learn more about advocating for the issues that matter most to their communities through a dialogue with city and county officials, and other community leaders. The event will allow seniors to address a wide array of post-Hurricane Harvey issues and will include a conversation about changes to the community landscape in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The "Be The Solution: Senior Citizens Town Hall" will be held at the Julia C. Hester House (2020 Solo Street, Houston, TX 77020) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Register today for the "Be The Solution: Senior Citizens Town Hall."

"Be The Solution: Youth & Family Immigration Town Hall"

"The ones who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless." - Archbishop Óscar Romero

Immigration is a critical issue that affects millions of youth and families in the United States. According to census data estimates from 2009 to 2013, approximately 4.1 million U.S. citizen children under the age of 18 were living with at least one undocumented parent at that time.[1] Approximately 1.1 million children under the age of 18 living in the United States are undocumented.[2] In 2017, distress and fear amongst U.S. immigrant and refugee populations has been front page news, due, in large part, to numerous immigration policy changes. From President Donald Trump's three travel bans that have sought to limit foreign entry into the United States, to Texas Governor Greg Abbott signing Senate Bill 4 (known as SB4) into law in May, and on to the recent discontinuation of the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by the Trump administration[3], 2017 has been a year of uncertainty in immigration policy, to say the least.

Airports became sites for confusion, disorder, and protests in the immediate aftermath of President Trump's first travel ban in January.[4] Court challenges, President Trump's withdrawal of the January order, and two new travel bans issued in March and September have followed. At present, bans on foreign entry from select countries into the United States have been partially upheld by the Supreme Court[5]; however, uncertainty remains. Confusion about immigration policy also persists on the state level, as challenges to SB 4 have prevented the full law from taking effect.[6] Known as the "sanctuary cities ban," SB4 prohibits local entities from adopting, enforcing, or endorsing a policy that prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of immigration laws. SB4 also prohibits local entities from limiting cooperation with federal immigration officers, including providing enforcement assistance. Violations of SB4 by local entities, also including law enforcement officers, may result in civil penalties, including fines between $1,000 and $1,500 for a first violation, and fines between $25,000 and $25,500 for subsequent violations. Additionally, elected or appointed officials founds to have adopted, enforced, or endorsed a policy that prohibits or materially limits the enforcement of immigration laws must forfeit their office. Finally, with the most recent federal policy changes, nearly 200,000 young undocumented immigrants in Texas (and 800,000 nationwide) who have received work permits under DACA[7] now face an uncertain future as the President and Congress continue their debate about immigration policy. This group of young immigrants, many of whom were raised in the U.S. for most of their lives (known as DREAMers), hope to one day be eligible to pursue lawful permanent residency if the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act were to be passed by Congress and signed into law, but with the recent discontinuation of the DACA program, their path to permanent residency is unclear. The Department of Homeland Security is no longer processing new DACA applications, and the final deadline to file DACA renewal requests (available only for individuals currently protected through March 5, 2018) was October 5, 2017.

To address this uncertainty and empower Houstonians amid these divisive times, the "Be The Solution Youth & Family Immigration Town Hall" will be held at Margaret Long Wisdom High School (6529 Beverly Hill Street, Houston, TX 77057) on Sunday, December 3^rd, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.[8] Formerly known as Lee High School, the Wisdom High School motto is, "Where the world comes to learn" - a fitting slogan, as Wisdom's students hail from over 70 countries and speak more than 40 languages. Wisdom's principal, Jonathan Trinh, arrived in Houston at the age of 12 as a refugee from Vietnam, and advocates for refugee and immigrant students and their families within the U.S. educational system.

Panelists include: Charles C. Foster, immigration attorney and Chairman, Foster LLP; Chief Art Acevedo, Chief of Police, Houston Police Department; Norma Torres Mendoza, DREAMer; Jill Campbell, immigration attorney, BakerRipley; and Juliet Stipeche, Director, Mayor's Office of Education. Cynthia Cisneros, Vice President of Community Affairs for KTRK-TV (ABC-13) will co-moderate the discussion with Council Member Edwards.

The Town Hall will empower attendees with information from experts critical to their ability to feel welcome and free from discrimination. The afternoon will begin with lunch and a resource fair to connect families to local organizations that provide immigration and refugee services for youth and families. Participating organizations at the resource fair of the event range from Refugee Services of Texas to the Mayor's Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities , among others.

Following the lunch and resource fair, a panel of community leaders and experts on immigration will discuss the latest immigration policies, including SB4 and DACA, and answer questions about the impact of such policies on Houston families and communities. The afternoon will conclude with break-out sessions to give families the opportunity to meet individually with immigration and refugee organizations.

The event will equip youth and families with the information necessary to understand their rights under current immigration laws, and empower them to connect to supportive resources.

Register today for the "Be The Solution: Youth & Family Immigration Town Hall."

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[1] Migration Policy Institute. (2016, January). A Profile of U.S. Children with Unauthorized Immigrant Parents [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from http://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/profile-us-children-unauthorized-immigrant-parents .

[2]  Educators for Fair Consideration. (2012, January). An Overview of College-Bound Undocumented Students  [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from
https://jhfc.duke.edu/latinamericauncduke/files/2017/02/Fact-Sheet-for-College-Bound-Undocumented-Students.pdf .

[3] President Trump rescinded DACA on September 5, 2017, and announced that, effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security would stop processing any new applications for the program. The announcement also included a plan to continue to accept renewal applications for anyone whose permit was set to expire on March 5, 2018, which would give Congress time to enact an alternative approach before any currently-protected individuals lost their ability to live, work, and study in the United States. The deadline to file a renewal application was October 5, 2017.

[4] The January 27, 2017 executive order barred U.S. entry to people traveling from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan) for 90 days, banned all refugee entry for 120 days, and placed an indefinite ban for entry of all Syrian refugees.

[5] The Supreme Court upheld limited travel bans by ruling on June 26, 2017 that a 90-day ban on individuals traveling from six countries, and a 120-day ban on refugee entry (as outlined in President Trump's March 6, 2017 travel ban) could begin. The court further ruled on travel bans on October 24, 2017, when it vacated the 9^th Circuit Court's ruling on the March 6 travel ban. In that decision, the 9^th  Circuit Court blocked the March ban on the grounds that President Trump exceeded his statutory authority.

[6] The 5^th  Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the case in November 2017.

[7] D ACA was created by President Obama in 2012 via executive order, and temporarily offered protections against deportation for qualified young people who entered the country as minors, and allowed them work and study.

[8] The timing and location of the Town Hall was selected specially to reach working families within Houston's immigrant and refugee communities.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT: Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities

Houstonians interested in assisting their fellow residents during Thanksgiving have a variety of local organizations with which they can volunteer. Individuals volunteering for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts are encouraged to track their Harvey-related volunteer hours during the holidays and report those hours at www.reportyourhours.com. Your volunteer hours can help save local tax money, since the federal government allows the City to use community volunteers' time as a local match against federal funding (in this case, time really is money). Also, keep an eye out for more opportunities to help; the City of Houston will soon announce plans to embark on what we expect to be the nation's largest-ever volunteer program, with the focus being support of Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts. We hope that may give us even more changes to offset select local match requirements for FEMA. Stay tuned for more details!

The annual Thanksgiving Big Super Feast will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23rd, at the George R. Brown Convention Center (1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX 77010). Multiple shifts are available. Please call 713-752-2582 for more information and to volunteer.

Volunteers are also welcome at Interfaith Ministries' Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston. Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals to disabled adults and homebound clients over the age of 60. Sign up to be a volunteer by calling 713-533-4978.

Help Houston give thanks this holiday season, and keep Houston Strong!

REMINDER: Deadline to File Hurricane Harvey FEMA Claims Extended into November

The deadline to apply for federal aid for recovery of Hurricane Harvey-caused damages and loss has been extended to Friday, November 24, 2017. Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 / TTY 1-800-462-7585 to apply during standard hours of operation (7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time), 7 days a week.