THEY SAY THEY JUST CAN'T AFFORD THE CUTS!

UPDATE: THE COUNCIL ESSENTIALLY KILLED THE BUDGET CUT TO THEIR OFFICES!

HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FACED WITH THEIR OWN FINANCIAL CRISIS!

Some Houston City Council members are being asked to reduce their annual budgets by 2% to help with the tough financial times being faced by the City of Houston.

Council member Wanda Adams says she simply can't afford to take the cut being pushed as an amendment by her colleague Melissa Noriega.

Adams asked if Noriega's office would supplement her budget if she takes a cut. Adams says the average budget of a council office is right around $370,000.

However, Anne Clutterbuck, also on the council, said their offices actually received an overall 3% raise in the budget compared to last year. She went on to say she was surprised the city was moving forward with contractually obligated raises and bonuses for city employees during this economic climate.

Councilman Jarvis Johnson chimed in against the cut to his budget. He says, "this will be detrimental to his staff." Johnson says if he takes the cut it could mean a loss of jobs in his office. The council will vote on the proposal which would be an average cut of about $7000 a year to council offices!

Note: This will not affect the council members salaries. Mayor Annise Parker says their salaries are affected by the state legislature. Council Member James Rodriguez says this would only affect their staffs salaries if they take the cut!