Houston Prop B Ruled Unconstitutional

Posted by: Curt Varone May 15, 2019 0

In a stunning reversal that has plusses and minuses for both sides, Harris County District Court Judge Tanya Garrison has ruled that Proposition B that mandates Houston firefighters receive parity with Houston police officers, is unconstitutional. The decision was handed down today.

Mayor Sylvester Turner immediately declared victory and signaled a reversal of his plan to lay-off 47 municipal workers, 220 firefighters, and 67 cadets. IAFF Local 341, confronted with the loss of an estimated 29% pay raise, vowed to appeal the ruling.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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