HOUSTON – In their first face-to-face meeting since the general election when they both won spots in December's runoff, State Rep. Sylvester Turner and former Kemah mayor Bill King faced off on this week's "Houston Newsmakers" with Khambrel Marshall.
The focus turned quickly to city finances and ways to improve the fiscal infrastructure.
"The city added 775 new positions to the city, about $50 or $60 million," said King. "That would have covered $1 billion worth of road and drainage bonds to get some work done."
"I think if you go in Bill's direction the city will have to have tax increases," responded Turner. "In order to cover the increased debt that he's willing to put the city in."
More from them on the failed Houston Equal Rights Ordinance and how it might impact the runoff, the anticipated tone of their race, the effort to gain the supporters of the other candidates and much more on this week's "Houston Newsmakers."
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HISD superintendent Dr. Terry Grier says any shortfall in the almost $2 billion bond is because of the unforeseen very steep increases in construction costs.
"We started telling the school board last January that we were coming up short and we told them again in February," Grier said. "We told them again in March and we've been repeating this so this is not something that all of a sudden just came up and caught people by surprise."
Grier also said he will ask the board for a new policy that would prohibit the expulsions of students in kindergarten through second grade because 70 percent of them are African-American. For much more on that and the bond shortage, please click here for the Newsmakers Extra: Terry Grier.
"Houston Newsmakers" with Khambrel Marshall Sunday Morning at 10am right after Meet the Press on KPRC 2.
More Information:
•Sylvester Turner, Turner for Mayor, 832-260-4507 , www.sylvesterturner.com
•Bill King, King for Mayor, 832-203-8660, www.BillKingforHouston.com
•Terry Grier, Ed.D., HISD Superintendent