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Wednesday, April 5, 2023

What we deal with in Texas.

Jolanda Jones is one of those leaches who goes from one political position to another. After being term limited from the Houston City Council, she spent time on the Houston School Board (but has no kids), then got into the state legislature. As far as I know she’s never held a job but being a criminal defense attorney, which brings up an incident. 

 

City of Houston police and law is you cannot use public assets for your personal business. Now, let’s be reasonable, is it that  much of a crime if you send a fax from your department office to your personal office? No, the city has not lot anything. Ms. Jones went a bit further than that. 

 

She put out cards telling people to not speak to the police, and listing her city phone numbers on them. If that had been me, I doubt I would leave with just a reprimand, but at least an unpaid vacation (suspension). But she was not held accountable, even by a Republican DA. The

 

Well, Ms. Jones’ abuse is not just off her public assets, but also of the staff. From the Texas Tribune, a well knows liberal paper. Looks like Ms. Jones is stepping in the footsteps of predecessor Shelia Jackson-Lee. 

 

Staff of Houston state Rep. Jolanda Jones resigns, citing hostile work environment


The House Speaker’s spokesperson said the office learned of the complaints against Jones on Wednesday, and would be evaluating whether the lawmaker broke any House rules.


Three staff members of state Rep. Jolanda Jones have resigned, alleging the Houston Democrat created an “abusive and hostile” work environment.


Chief of staff Kory Haywood, legislative director Catherine Mouer and district director Yesenia Wences alleged in a letter to Jones obtained by The Texas Tribune that Jones tasked staff with work unrelated to state business, required them to regularly perform work outside of business hours and regularly threatened to fire employees…


…The former employees also alleged that Jones had failed to intervene in what they characterized as an inappropriate relationship between the lawmaker’s son, Jio, and an intern in the office. They also said the lawmaker directed staff to assist in arranging health care for a relative.


And from what I’ve heard, Ms. Jones expects them to drive her around town, pick up her laundry, basically be used as a personal staff for her, not an office staff. 


Jones said in a statement Thursday that working in the Legislature stressful and demanding, describing a "daily fight" on behalf of constituents.


"Some on my staff have decided this job is not for them," Jones said. "I wish them good luck and success in their next endeavors."


The “daily fight” on behalf of constituents. Something about Texas, the legislature is part time. It meets every two years for 140 days (and it would be better if it met every 140 years for two days). The legislators gets paid $16, 000 a year (plus a budget for offices in Austin and in the district, with staff). But it’s not supposed to be a full time job and if Ms. Jones thinks it’s a daily fight, she is making it one. 


Cassi Pollock, spokesperson for House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said the speaker’s office learned of the complaints against Jones on Wednesday, which would be reviewed to evaluate whether the lawmaker broke any House rules.


I would be shocked if she didn’t break any house rules. I would be even more shocked if she is held accountable. 


She (Jones) has, at times, struggled to maintain civil relations with colleagues.


During a retreat for Houston ISD board members in 2018, she got into a 30-second shouting match with a fellow trustee, the Houston Chronicle reported. The newspaper also described her as “vocally hostile” with state education officials and reported her comments calling another trustee a thief and crook with “no moral character.”


Houston firefighters said in 2011 then-Council Member Jones made obscene remarks during a station visit and suggested firefighters were lazy. Her spokesperson said the allegations about Jones were false.


She’s trash and her constituents will never hold her to account. She’s hoping to make a run for the congress, assuming Shirley Jackson-Lee win’s the mayor’s race later this year. Mr. Phelan, please, go after her. We can’t deal with another Jackson-Lee in the House. 

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