Firefighters’ pension

Regarding “Parker, firefighters make deal on pensions” (Page B6, March 6), I stand firmly in opposition to this “deal,” now memorialized as HB 2572, because it is bad for firefighters and breaks our pledge to fully fund their pensions; it is bad for the city because instead of working to find a long-term solution to our pension crisis, it only prolongs the problem; and it is bad for taxpayers because it will increase the amount and volatility of future city contributions.

Here’s the hard but simple truth: There’s no way for the city to pay our pension benefits as currently structured without severely limiting the city’s ability to provide basic city services to its citizens. Without showing real leadership and tackling the pension benefits themselves, the amount the city owes does not change.

I have a better solution — local control. Local control will allow the mayor and council to negotiate and approve an agreement with the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund board for a sustainable and responsible pension program that is good for our city, our brave firefighters and Houston taxpayers. Fortunately, state Rep. Jim Murphy has filed a local control bill, HB 2608, and I am pleased to have played a role in crafting this bill that actually moves us toward a solution.

We must let our local delegation in Austin know that instead of debating the flawed elements in the Mayor Annise Parker/state Rep. Sylvester Turner bill, they should support HB 2608 to allow local control. Upon passage, I’m confident we can work together on meaningful pension reform and save our city from financial catastrophe.

Steve Costello, Houston City Councilmember a new $438 million inpatient facility on Galveston Island in 2016. And late last year, we formally began operating the hospital and clinics in Angleton. We now have more than 70 clinics in more than 30 locations all over the region, including Fort Bend and Harris counties.

Enrollment in our four schools is at a record level. Our researchers are leading the way in fighting diseases and developing vaccines. And we are the only official Ebola treatment center for adults in the state, thanks in large part to the Galveston National Laboratory, one of only two BSL-4 high containment labs on a university campus in the country.

We still remember vividly when the good people of Harris County and throughout the state stood shoulder to shoulder to help UTMB as we rebuilt our Level 1 Trauma Center and our Galveston facilities. We stand ready to help and advocate on behalf of the other Level 1 Trauma Centers in our area.

Dr. David L. Callender, UTMB president