His Budget

If you have attended any of the H-Town Mayoral forums, you have heard Adrian Garcia boast about running the Sheriff’s Office under budget and saving taxpayer funds. Chris Bell called him out yesterday on his budget. Here is from a Rebecca Elliott Chron piece this morning:

Bell also accused Garcia of improperly claiming that the sheriff’s office was at or under budget for four consecutive years during his tenure.

“His numbers are a complete fabrication,” Bell said, alleging that the county’s former top lawman was over budget for four of the six years he was in office.

The dispute boils down to whether one compares the sheriff’s office’s actual spending to the county’s initial adopted budget or its adjusted one, updated later in the year. Bell’s campaign is relying on the adopted budget, while Garcia uses the adjusted spending plan.

For example, in fiscal year 2014, the sheriff’s office spent nearly $400 million – some $9 million more than the adopted budget, but about $7 million less than the adjusted budget.

Garcia’s statement did not address Bell’s budget criticism.

Here is the entire Elliott article: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/local/article/Mayoral-candidates-take-aim-at-Garcia-6509872.php.

If you look at the numbers, Bell is right on target. That’s why the Garcia camp did not refute the criticism. Oh, well.

Two ‘Stros players have played 138 games this season – the most for a ‘Stro. One is Jose Altuve. Name the other?

At yesterday’s mayoral forum at India House, candidates were asked what they want to see in a new HISD Superintendent. Marty McVey wants to see “the most qualified Hispanic in the country.” Ben Hall said the “next superintendent must not be corrupt.” Adrian Garcia wants a superintendent who “knows how to engage the community – Grier didn’t.”

There will be more forums today in the race for mayor and District H.

Evan Gattis of course has also played in 138 games this season.

I wish the team would let me know if they are still interested in playing well into October. We are a game and a half out with 16 to go.