Heated exchanges in council chambers over Proposition B budget

HOUSTON (FOX 26) — If you call 911 during an emergency, firefighters will arrive, but with a City of Houston financial emergency related to paying firefighters, no one knows who to call. 

Nobody knows how to pay for City of Houston Proposition B, which requires pay parity between police and firefighters. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he is working on finding the money while working on the budget, but there are a lot of variables.

"If there are going to be layoffs, I will tell you," said Mayor Turner. "We have identified who these layoffs will apply and that list has been put together."

Houston City Council members are growing frustrated that it is taking so long and they know so little about his process. They have put forth twenty proposals to help make the numbers work.

"It's not like I've said no to your ideas,” said Turner during a council meeting on Wednesday. “I'm waiting to see to what degree you will all come around to support your ideas and we'll see."

"And that's why, Mayor, what I'm asking is what are the administration’s ideas?," asked City Council member Greg Travis. "That's what I'm asking. You got ours. I just don’t know yours."

"I don't think I’ve seen any specifics, so I'm hoping we have the opportunity to look at specifics on particular items..."

The mayor pushed back, chastising council members for their behavior.

"One thing we've always have to do is show respect for one another," said Turner.

Instead, the temperature kept rising. City Council member Dwight Boykins compared Turner to a dictator for making council members beg for budget information. The accusations led to a heated verbal exchange.