First of all, thank you for your tremendous feedback on my budget-update emails! Please keep the messages coming and the dialogue fresh. I'm running for Controller because we share a love for Houston and a genuine concern for our fiscal future.

Let me start this update by recognizing Mayor Bill White and the Administration for their hard work on this budget. These are very challenging times, and I want to personally thank them for the long hours they've committed to this process.

The budget workshops are now complete, and, by the end of June, Council will vote on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010). As I've said to you before, as stewards of the public's money, we should be doing the same thing most American families are doing--reducing our spending. By that, I don't mean just holding expenditures at FY2009 levels or growing the budget conservatively. We simply can't afford it. Every proposed expenditure should be scrubbed thoroughly to assure that it represents a critical need. I believe it's in our citizens' best interests to curb spending now and allow the economy to begin signaling real recovery before any consideration is given to increasing spending.

I have questioned-and will continue to question--"big-picture" issues such as: 1) using fund balance reserves for recurring operating expenditures; 2) issuing pension obligation bonds to raise the balance of the reserve fund; 3) approving a budget that includes $10 million worth of unidentified expense reductions; and--as I wrote last week, 4) potentially reducing the General Fund reserve balance with no contingency for one-time expenses, especially when the Rainy Day Emergency fund has not been replenished. You'll hear and read various interpretations of these issues, as I do, but as an elected official representing a large district, my vote on this budget will reflect how you want your tax dollars spent.

I intend to become your next City Controller so that I can be your voice for fiscal responsibility beyond this year.

Please join the Pam Holm Campaign for Controller. To win, I need your help! Visit my website at pamholm.com, sign up to receive emails, make a contribution and bookmark my blog. Please visit pamholm.com often. I want to hear from you! Leave your questions and feedback. Thank you for your time today!