City Swears In 66 Firefighter Cadets After Prop B Ruling

HOUSTON — Sixty-six Houston firefighter cadets who were barred from being sworn in as Houston Firefighters during the Proposition B fight, were officially sworn in by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena on Thursday.

"Congratulations to the 66 newest members of the Houston Fire Department. Today's swearing-in represents the culmination of their hard work and dedication to serving the citizens of Houston," Turner said after Thursday's swearing in ceremony.

On Wednesday, District Court Judge Tanya Garrison ruled that the voter-approved Prop B initiative granting pay parity between Houston firefighters and Houston police violated Texas Local Government Code and the Texas Constitution.

READ ALSO: Mayor Vows No Layoffs After Prop B Is Ruled Unconstitutional

The ruling ended the legal fight, for now, but the Houston Professional Firefighters has already filed an appeal.

City officials,m however, are moving forward and Turner has promised no layoffs of firefighters, or any other city employees, not that the Prop B fight is supposedly over.

"We can now move forward together. I hope to hear soon from the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 341 to begin discussions on a raise the City can afford," Turner said.

Pena, who backed Turner's opposition to Prop B, congratulated the new firefighters after they were sworn in on Thursday.

"I am honored to have 66 cadets receive the oath of office as Houston firefighters today," he said. "Their commitment to this organization has been clearly demonstrated. I congratulate them on their achievement, thank them for their willingness to serve their community, and look forward to seeing them succeed in their career path."

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com