Judge stops medical benefits for commission

State District Judge Janet L. Leal ruled Wednesday that Brownsville city commissioners and mayors are not entitled to medical insurance benefits not provided for in the City Charter.

"We're very happy, not only for (those of) us who filed the lawsuit, but also for the Brownsville community," said Moses Sorola, who together with other taxpayers filed the lawsuit in March 2007 to stop the benefits.

"Taxpayers no longer have to pay those outrageous insurance costs." Sorola said.

More than $300,000 has been spent since 2000 to insure most former and present elected officials and their families. The sum does not include medical claims.

"I am very elated that we don't have to go any further. We are very grateful that the judge ruled the way she did," Sorola said.

Sorola's son, Louis Sorola, represented the taxpayer group in court.

Mark Sossi, the attorney representing city officials said, "I think the public wins when there is clarity on the issue."

Leal, who presides over the 103rd state District Court, also ruled that the payment of auto allowances and cell phone use must be justified, Sossi said.

Moses Sorola, William de la O, Eddie Padron, and Brownsville Public Utilities Board member Robert Sanchez were the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

The compensation provision in the charter specifies a $10 stipend for each meeting attended, up to $50 per month.

City Attorney Jim Goza, representing the city, and Sossi, the contract attorney representing the elected officials, have contended that they can receive the benefits because the charter is silent on them and does not prohibit them.

This is the second ruling from a state district court in as many weeks finding that insurance benefits are not provided for in the city's governing document, the City Charter.

On April 24, Judge Nanette Hasette, who presides over the 28th state District Court in Corpus Christi, ordered that city to stop paying or providing any council member or the mayor additional compensation in excess of the limit set in Corpus Christi's City Charter. That city is appealing.

Sossi said he doesn't know if Brownsville will appeal Leal's ruling, but said he thinks that officials "will obey and respect" her ruling.L