HOUSTON (AP) _ Houston Mayor Annise Parker says about 850 city employees have taken voluntary furlough days as the city faces a nearly $30 million budget shortfall.
Parker on Wednesday said the city has saved about $250,000 so far. She says additional voluntary furloughs could push that figure to $500,000 as more employees take days off between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Parker has not ruled out mandatory furlough days for employees of the state’s largest city. The mayor also says she hopes to make progress on reforming the city’s pension obligations.
The Houston City Council on Dec. 15 voted to hike fees on almost 150 municipal services to help close the budget gap.
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