Achievements as District F Councilman


On Fiscal Responsibility:

  • MJ has proposed to require all city departments to submit a zero-based budgeting plan, which has been approved and adopted by City Council.
  • MJ has consistently proposed for the reduction of the property tax rate for the City of Houston. Since MJ has been on City Council we have seen a reduction in the property tax rate.
  • MJ has proposed for an incremental increase in Capital Improvements Projects from a 5 year rolling cycle to a 7-10 year rolling cycle, which was approved and adopted by City Council.
  • MJ offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 City Budget, which requests each city department to establish a 5-year operational planning process and a 2-year budget for FY 2009, which was approved and adopted by City Council.
  • MJ offered an amendment to the FY 2009 City Budget which requires each city department to establish a balanced scorecard to align its business activities and measure its performance against strategic goals for FY 2009. This amendment was approved and adopted by City Council.
  • MJ offered an amendment to the FY 2009 City Budget which would require each city department to establish as part of their budget planning process the identification of 2.5% down or up relative to a base case of their budget for FY 2009, which if needed by an economic downturn, can be used to reduce expenses. This amendment was approved and adopted by City Council.
  • MJ offered an amendment which would require reporting of unfunded retirees’ health benefit liabilities. This is a $3.23 billion liability, reporting of which is the right thing to do for transparency. This amendment was approved and adopted by City Council.
  • MJ has successfully urged the Mayor to appropriate general funds dollars to prevent an undercount in the 2010 Census, which will better insure Houston receiving its fair share of federal dollars.
  • MJ has made sure that appropriated budgetary funds are being distributed evenly to those communities in need; such as law enforcement, low income senior facilities, community centers and parks, not for profit healthcare facilities, and apartment rehabilitation. Each year MJ has saved money from his District F Office budget and donated it back to the city to fund the City of Houston Public Library and Houston Police Department Storefronts.
  • MJ has requested for the modernization of the Water/Wastewater billing department.
  • MJ has fought to revise the City’s competitive procurement process to give preference to qualified local vendors as well as giving smaller contactors the ability to compete for smaller city contracts.

As a Leader In the Community

  • As Chair of the International Liaison and Protocol Committee, MJ welcomes a host of foreign dignitaries and delegations enhancing Houston’s position as a world class city to attain international relationships and trade.
  • MJ helped establish a Point of Distribution Center during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike; which garnered over 1000 volunteers and distributed tens of thousands of units of ice, water and meals.
  • In 2007, MJ was appointed to the National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure and Services (TIS) Steering Committee.
  • MJ currently serves on the Advisory Board of Directors for Asia Society Texas, Holocaust Museum Houston Board and as an Advisory Director for the Houston West Chamber of Commerce.
  • MJ has served on the Small Business Advisory Board of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.
  • MJ has also served on the International Council Advisory Group with the National League of Cities.

Throughout the years MJ has received many awards such as:

  • 2007 Outstanding American by Choice Award from the USCIS-U.S. Department of State
  • 2009 Asian American Leadership Award from Asia Society Texas Center
  • 2009 Leadership Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
  • 2004 Torch Bearer Award from the Pakistan American Congress (PAC)
  • 2004 Father of the Year Award
  • 2004 Pride Award
  • 2004 Friends of Filipinos Award
  • 2004 Men of Style Award
  • 2004 President’s Appreciation Award from the Pakistani - American Association of Greater Houston (PAGH)
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