Tax increase proposal for HISD?

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Students may be out for the summer, but the Houston Independent School District is already doing its homework to build bigger and better schools at billion dollar prices.

So who will foot the bill for these new buildings? A tax increase proposal could be on the ballot as soon as November.

How's this for summer math? Five years ago HISD asked you for $800 million for new schools. It barely passed with 51 percent of the vote.

Now the district is contemplating doubling the number for a vote later this year. The district needs new schools and the starting number is $1 billion.

School may be out for summer.

"Today is real exciting for me," said student Willie Williams.

But the business of HISD doesn't stop. And while the kids are gone, the adults who run the place are getting ready to ask you for more of your cash.

"We know there's a lot of unaddressed facilities needs at the high school level," said HISD Spokesperson Jason Spencer.

It's no secret HISD schools are getting older. High schools especially. A needs assessment is nearly finished and once it's done, sources familiar with the plan suggest it will recommend substantial renovation, if not outright replacement of several HISD high schools.

"It's in fair condition. Some of the AC's are leaking and some of the AC's don't work," said student Dakota Garcia.

She knows Madison High School needs it and her mom isn't opposed to paying for it.

"If I know it's going for schools, then I don't have a problem with that," said parent Frances Zimmer. "You're not going to pay attention if you're hot or uncomfortable."

But the HISD board knows not everyone will be as enthusiastic and is gearing up for what could be a tough fight. The package is likely to focus on Houston's aging high schools -- Jack Yates High School opened in 1958, Sterling High School in 1965, the same year as Madison High School.

The board hasn't picked a final number for the deal, but look at the figure we've been told HISD is considering. It could be as high as $1.8 billion. The eight zeroes keep coming. And once you do the math for an average HISD area home, that's $91 in extra school taxes every year for decades.

"An investment in the schools is an investment in Houston's future," said Spencer.

When we asked him even it means higher property taxes on every homeowner in the district, Spencer replied, "That's a decision every voter will have to make for themselves."

The district will find out just how bad the need is later this month. The school board will decide in August about putting it on the ballot. It could be a crowded spot -- remember the county may ask voters for cash to renovate the Astrodome as well.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Family faces eviction with rent increase

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston family is facing eviction because of a surprising rent increase.

Ella Rochelle said she feels penalized because her sons are in college and have jobs, and the higher household income means she'll have to pay more rent.

Whether it's fair or not, officials with the Houston Housing Authority said they have to follow the law.

But doing so means hardship for one family.

"What I'm really concerned is my rent -- $1,300. I cannot afford that," Rochelle said.

Right now, Rochelle pays $639 a month to live in public housing. That rent is about to double because of income earned by her sons, who are in college, she said.

"Because they're trying to go to school and pay for their school, that's what they're trying to do," Rochelle said.

Rochelle and her four sons live at Allen Parkway Village. Three sons are in college and one is still in middle school. APV is operated by the Houston Housing Authority. HHA says tenants agree by law to pay 30 percent of their income towards rent.

A prepared statement by HHA went on to say that the housing authority works very hard to help residents reach their potential, but ultimately it is up to each family to manage their budget.

That's not helpful to Rochelle, who says she wants her sons to keep working and going to college, leaving her with tough decisions to make.

"I normally have to pawn stuff," she said.

According to HHA, income earned by full-time students is excluded from rent calculations. But income from part-time students is included.

Rochelle has one son that goes to school and works part-time.

No matter what happens, with three sons in college, she is proud of what they've been able to accomplish

"Because I want to see them get a good education so they can get out. You know, and have their own life," she said.

Rochelle's new lease with the higher rent would start next week. One solution is to try to find another place for her son with the part-time job to live, but Rochelle doesn't want to split up her family.

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Sheriff's deputies protest over health insurance premiums increase

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Retired and active Harris County sheriff's deputies picked up signs in protest, saying promises made a long time ago about their health insurance are being broken.

Sadly, it's something we're seeing a lot more of in this economy. Tough decisions and in this case, it's retirees who helped protect Harris County who are paying the price.

These deputies are standing their ground. Those on fixed incomes struggling to make ends meet say this hits them especially hard.

As sheriff's deputies, they spent decades protecting Harris County; now they're wondering who's protecting them? On Tuesday, a large group of active duty and retired deputies gathered outside the downtown building where county commissioners meet to protest an increase in their health insurance premiums.

"When we were hired into the Harris County Sheriff's Office, we were promised that our benefits would be taken care of for life. We feel like they have reneged on that. They were disingenuous when they told us that," said Lee Bumpers with the African American Sheriff's Deputies League.

"It's not good for law enforcement and it's not good for Harris County," said

Plagued by budget constraints, Harris County commissioners recently voted to require retirees under 65 to pay for a portion of their health care -- $115 per month.

Of the 4,000 plus retirees, over 1,800 are under 65.

"Yes, it's a cost and it's something that I'm sure I wouldn't be happy about if I were one of them, but it's just a reality of the world we live in right now," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.

Those on fixed incomes are not happy and fear this change could hurt them the most. Others worry the commissioners are setting a dangerous precedent.

"Now when it comes time to pay the benefits aren't there or they are suddenly eroding and those are the things that trouble us significantly," said Bumpers.

Retirees living on fixed incomes say their health insurance rates have doubled.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Spring ISD expected to increase taxes

SPRING, TX (KTRK) -- A big property tax hike could be coming for those living in the Spring Independent School District. Like districts all across the state, Spring ISD is hurting for money. Now, those who live in its borders could wind up paying more on their property taxes.

It's a tough situation, as the school district is getting less money from the state, and as some property values in the area are declining. Put those two factors together, and it means residents are having to pay out more money.

The Ortega family grew up in the Spring school district. But Jennette Ortega isn't sure that her daughter is getting a better education than she did.

She said, "I actually went to Spring, and my brother did as well, and we've always had transportation no matter where we've lived. Now my daughter is the next generation in Spring, and now we're not sure if she'll have the bus transportation."

Spring ISD is cutting bus service to all students living within two miles. But that's not the biggest budget surprise. Homeowners are just beginning to find out that their tax rate is expected to increase 11 cents per $100 valuation.

Spring ISD homeowner Herb Baker said, "I definitely am against it. I think most of the taxpayers out here will be against it."

But Spring ISD, like school districts across the state, says it had little choice. The Republican-controlled legislature slashed $4 billion from public education funding during its most recent session and local school districts must make up the shortfall.

"School finance doesn't look like it's going to get any easier," said Spring ISD spokesperson Karen Garrison. "I would suggest that parents contact their legislators and talk to them, let them know their concerns about the impact."

The school district says the 11 cents tax hike is just an estimate, and that final tax rates won't be set until this fall.

Ortega would like to know why she's paying more for less.

"It doesn't make me happy that I'm going to pay them more and yet they're going to take away the busing," Ortega said.

School bus transportation is not the only item that's expected to change for Spring ISD and school districts across the state. When students return to school this fall, classroom sizes are expected to be larger in the wake of eliminated teaching positions.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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