Delayed retirement payments expected by end of September, Houston pension system chair said
Approximately 1,052 city employees took Mayor John Whitmire’s early retirement incentive as part of the administration’s efforts to cut down on what was a $330 million budget shortfall earlier this year, according to previous Community Impact reporting. However, reports came out that hundreds of these retired employees have still not received their payments.
In case you missed it: Sherry Mose, chair of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension System, told City Council historically the system has an average of 39 retirements a month, but now the department has to process more than a thousand at one time.
Mose said there are around 270-280 retirees who have not received their payments yet but are expected to receive them by the end of September. She said the reason for this is because they either did not submit their paperwork on time, or some paperwork was completed incorrectly, while there are over 40 retirees that HMEPS staff have been unable to get ahold of.
New Thai, sushi restaurant opens near the Galleria area
What was once occupied by a popular Thai restaurant, Thai Gourmet, is a new Thai restaurant called Krua Thai & Sushi.
What they offer: Krua specializes in Thai food, from the noodle dish pad thai, and curries such as the kaeng rawang—also known as green curry—and panang curry, also known as red curry. Customers can also order a pineapple fried rice as well as kao soi, a curry noodle soup with chicken and garnished with cabbage and herbs.
Aside from Thai, Krua also serves sushi ranging from fatty tuna and salmon nigiri to classic sushi rolls such as the spicy tuna roll, tekka maki and unagi roll. 📍6324 Richmond Ave., Houston
Houston ISD trustees recognize 12 'Principal of the Year' finalists
Houston ISD trustees recognized 12 principals nominated for the district’s "Principal of the Year” award during the board’s Sept. 11 meeting.
The details: HISD Chief of Schools Sandi Massey said three principals from each of the district's four geographic divisions were nominated, including:
Bathsheba Nash, Wesley Elementary School
Iliana Perez, Clifton Middle School
Marie Adams, North Forest High School
Alexis McMiller, Woodson PK-5 Leadership Academy
Shanica Smith, Thomas Middle School
Ruth Pena, Milby High School
Christopher Hua, Pilgrim Academy
Crystal Blanchard, West Briar Middle School
Yolanda Bruce, Westbury High School
Trealla Epps, Roberts Elementary School
Alejandro Lopez, Navarro Middle School
Wendy Hampton, Heights High School
A closer look: To be considered, Massey said the principal was required to have returned to the same school they led the previous year. Additionally, she said the schools must have received A or B scores in the A-F state accountability ratings.
What’s next: While HISD officials could not confirm as of press time, the district has previously announced “Principal of the Year” award winners in October.
Harris County commissioners negotiate $81K pay raise for county's 8 elected constables
Harris County commissioners are looking to adopt the fiscal year 2025-26 budget Sept. 18 with various approved pay parity adjustments including the re-negotiated raises for the county’s eight elected constables.
The vote: A motion to increase each elected constable’s salary to $260,000 passed Sept. 9 with a 3-1 vote. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis cast the dissenting vote and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was absent.
The details: The approved pay raise, county officials said, will be a budget neutral item, with funds coming out of each of the eight constable precinct’s own budget with no additional funding required from the county.
Quote of note: “After months of deep engagement through numerous town halls and hundreds of survey responses, the community told us what mattered most: public safety, public health, infrastructure and disaster readiness,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said in a statement. “I’m proud we delivered a balanced budget that protects core services, without having to ask hardworking women and men to vote on raising their taxes.”
4 Houston-area events celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
There are several events taking place in the Greater Houston area to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This list is not comprehensive.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration Houston Premium Outlets is hosting a performance and dance lessons from Mixteco Ballet Folklorico and a performance from Mariachi Estrella de Mi Tierra.
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
