HUD secretary resigns amid favoritism charges
Apr. 1, 2008
Dave Montgomery - McClatchy NewspapersIssue date: 3/27/08 Section: MCT News
WASHINGTON _ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson announced his resignation on Monday amid allegations that he displayed political favoritism in the awarding of federal contracts.
Jackson, a close Bush ally and former chief of the Dallas Housing Authority, is stepping down under congressional pressure at a time when the Bush administration is grappling with the economic fall-out of a steep downturn in the U.S. housing industry.
President Bush accepted the resignation "with regret," describing his long-time friend and former neighbor from Dallas as a "strong leader and a good man."
Democratic lawmakers who pressed for Jackson's ouster welcomed the announcement while challenging the administration to speed the nation's escape from the housing crisis.
"Today's news means little to the millions of homeowners struggling to stay above water," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "What they need is for their pleas for help from this administration to no longer fall on deaf ears."
Jackson announced his decision in a brief statement at HUD headquarters and did not take questions. His resignation from the $32 billion department becomes effective April 18.
In a letter to Bush, Jackson said there "are times when one must attend more diligently to personal and family matters. Now is such a time for me."
With only 10 months remaining before the president leaves office, the resignation forces Bush into a quick search for a replacement who could win confirmation in the Democratic-controlled Senate. No leading candidates had surfaced immediately following Jackson's announcement.
"We do not have any clue as to who would be stepping in," said Bill Collins, New Jersey state president for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. "We're sort of in a wait-and-see mode."
Jackson, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, said that under his stewardship HUD has expanded minority home ownership, improved public housing and helped reduce homelessness.
Jackson, a close Bush ally and former chief of the Dallas Housing Authority, is stepping down under congressional pressure at a time when the Bush administration is grappling with the economic fall-out of a steep downturn in the U.S. housing industry.
President Bush accepted the resignation "with regret," describing his long-time friend and former neighbor from Dallas as a "strong leader and a good man."
Democratic lawmakers who pressed for Jackson's ouster welcomed the announcement while challenging the administration to speed the nation's escape from the housing crisis.
"Today's news means little to the millions of homeowners struggling to stay above water," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "What they need is for their pleas for help from this administration to no longer fall on deaf ears."
Jackson announced his decision in a brief statement at HUD headquarters and did not take questions. His resignation from the $32 billion department becomes effective April 18.
In a letter to Bush, Jackson said there "are times when one must attend more diligently to personal and family matters. Now is such a time for me."
With only 10 months remaining before the president leaves office, the resignation forces Bush into a quick search for a replacement who could win confirmation in the Democratic-controlled Senate. No leading candidates had surfaced immediately following Jackson's announcement.
"We do not have any clue as to who would be stepping in," said Bill Collins, New Jersey state president for the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. "We're sort of in a wait-and-see mode."
Jackson, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, said that under his stewardship HUD has expanded minority home ownership, improved public housing and helped reduce homelessness.
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