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Chron posts Houston city employees salaries

9,097 Views | 86 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Liquid Wrench
Teddy Perkins
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AG
starting assistant DA's definitely start at $42K AFTER they pass the bar. You aren't a lawyer unless you pass the bar and you aren't an assistant DA unless you pass the bar. If you prove yourself then you do move up. Second year assistant DA's make in the neighborhood of $60K but definitely below market plus you have to deal with criminals. It takes a special person to be a DA.
awh
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quote:
The insurance plans are adequate, but nothing special, and as for pension, it is mandatory that employees lose 5% of their gross pay off the top for the pension system


but then they retire at 50 and that pension sustains their second career
cjg89
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I would suspect DA's office is fast track training for a future in criminal defense and or politics (judges). I have no clue, just guessing.
Sazerac
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Wife worked right out of law school (bar passed) for the city of Houston doing contracts. $42k. 4 years ago.

She left that job and her friend is there now...making essentially the same.

We have a ton of lawyer friends still making <$60k after a few years of City/DA work.

Most of them have moved up over $80k for smaller firms though.

The best and brightest started over $125k, and some now make over $160k
TAT2DAG
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AG
My good friend's husband currently works in the DA's office and works his tail off for not that much money. In fact, his salary is approximately the same amount as it looks like most cops are making in overtime alone.

I'll preface with the fact that I'm no accountant or human resources guru, but when you're paying one person two and a half salaries to overwork, it might be time to look into the efficiency of staffing in HPD.
Ezra Brooks
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AG
Googled Harris County District Attorney salary and I found that the 2007 starting salary for an ADA was $53,000 - so that seems in line with what some here are reporting.
Ezra Brooks
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quote:
Moreover, if im working more than 40 hours a week, then i damn well expect to be paid for it.


Your profile shows that you are a geophysicist - which most certainly is an exempt position....I wonder if your employee agrees with your statement above?
Sazerac
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AG
Just asked the friend who works for the city, and Attorney-I now starts at $55k.
captain angry
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This is bullcrap.
Ag of Enlightenment
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quote:
Most city workers get great insurance benefits and pension plans at no extra cost. Couple this with the fact that it's nearly impossible to get fired when working for the city (even if you don't do dick), and i don't feel to sorry for them.


Maybe for other depts, but none of the above is true for HPD. I'd say our insurance and pension are pretty decent but they do come right off the top of our checks. Also, "nearly impossible to get fired"-WRONG. Not w/ HPD.

and there seems to be some misunderstanding on how OT works. there isnt unlimited OT that anyone can just start doing (except for court time). the vast majority of OT programs have limited funding and very few spots. thus, you have to know people and been on for a while. Also, as a matter of fact there are NO active OT for pay programs in the city at all right now. And most programs (like the ones i worked) are hard work and you put in 15-16 hr. days.

"I am a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and to confront the wolf."
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT
kansas02gt
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AG
thanks ag of e. totally agree with the insurance part.

growing up under the city insurance BLOWED since in the latter years we had an HMO that the city elected to get. doctors always changed plans, and you had to go to primary care to get a referral for specialist, but had to make sure the specialist was under the same umbrella as the primary care, etc etc. such a hassle and we ended up not being able to see the same drs as we always had. i now have a ppo where i work and so far ppo>>hmo for one person. i would rather pay a bit more to be able to see who i want and not deal with all the referrals and unnecessary visits.
BBRex
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The other problem is that somebody working 70- to 80-hour weeks -- especially at a stressful job such as being a police officer -- has to be worn out and can't be doing their job 100% effectively all the time. I can't help but think that: 1. somebody's cutting corners somewhere, and 2. it has to be more efficient and (in the case of police officers) more safe to hire more officers.
HtownAg94
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I too was a victim of Javier Calvillo or should I say Mr. Speed Trap...

He had a team set up in Southeast Houston that seemed like a 3rd world country where they had two guys with radar guns and two guys with ticket printers. Basically waiting for cars to exit 225 at Broadway on to a 35 mph access road - not giving anyone time to slow down to the posted speed while safely merging. They were set up like a fast food drive thru such that they would have you pull on to a side road far enough to fit the rest of the cars that they could pull over in the 5-10 minutes it took to write a ticket. They didn't even ask for proof of insurance - didn't want to effect their throughput...

Truly criminal activity by those sworn to Protect and Serve. Thieving tax collectors...
Waltonloads08
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Thread bump from decade-ago me.

In college, early 20s, in shape, unmarried, no kids.

I would tell myself back the to get off Texags and enjoy the young life....
88jrt06
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Just before Hurricane Ike, correct?
Cromagnum
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Meh I make nearly that kind of jack with zero overtime. I'll stick with what's working rather than waste my time sitting at the courthouse all day or parked on the side of the road watching YouTube on my phone with my radar gun turned on full blast.
Waltonloads08
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And for some grand irony, I got popped by an HPD revenue officer today for "not coming to a complete stop" at some random low traffic side street in town outside a Home Depot.

Dammit, $235
Liquid Wrench
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Ha ha, this was the story that got a good reporter to leave the Chron. Good times.
 
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