Monthly Archives: October 2017

Endorsement watch: Don’t forget the city bonds

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron circles back to where they started this endorsement season. The spotlight of public attention has focused on the billion dollar pension bond referendum, Proposition A, whose passage is absolutely critical to Houston’s financial future. But if you’re a … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for October 22

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

On “American Pie”, the Book of Revelations, and the perils of deciphering ancient texts. When graphic designers rise up. “Of course, you want as many people to watch your show as possible. But some things are more important than bringing … Continue reading →

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30 day campaign finance reports – HCC

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

One more time with the 30 day reports. July reports are here. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz Robert Glaser Pretta VanDible Stallworth David Jaroszewski Dist Name Raised Spent Loans On Hand ========================================================= 4 Evans-Shabazz 1,148 527 0 3,079 5 Glaser 0 200 5,000 … Continue reading →

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More pre-trial diversion

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

DA Kim Ogg moves forward on more campaign promises. During a press conference Tuesday, Ogg laid out in broad strokes the policy recommendations written by the committees and emphasized that she is seeking participation from experts and Houston’s leaders. “We … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: More state propositions

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The rest of the constitutional amendments, from the Chron. State of Texas, Proposition 4: For Everyone deserves to know if they’re being sued – even the state of Texas. The Legislature passed a bill in 2011 that would have required … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Smells Like Teen Spirit

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I have two covers of the grunge classic. First, the Meat Puppets: Boy, they really leaned in on their name, didn’t they? That’s from “Newermind”, a tribute to Nirvana on the 20th anniversary of the album release, put out by … Continue reading →

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30 day campaign finance reports – HISD

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The next round of finance reports for the November elections are available now, so let’s take a look at them, beginning with HISD. Here are the July reports for comparison. Gretchen Himsl Monica Flores Richart Elizabeth Santos Carlos Perrett Jesse … Continue reading →

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How about those price gouging complaints?

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

You can’t rush these things. Within weeks of Hurricane Harvey making landfall, Texans lodged more than 3,000 complaints against hundreds of gas stations, hotels and grocery stores, accusing them of selling such essentials as gasoline or water at exorbitant prices. … Continue reading →

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Butterflies versus the wall

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Go, butterflies! The National Butterfly Center in South Texas sent a certified letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Wednesday stating its intent to sue over the construction of a border wall on its private property. In July, Marianna … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: State propositions and Katy bonds

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, did you know that there are constitutional amendments on the ballot? It’s true! (Spoiler alert: There are constitutional amendments on the ballot every odd-numbered year.) The Chron has some recommendations for how to vote on them. State of Texas, … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Black and blue, part 1

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Once again, a topic too big to cover in one go. 1. Black And White – The DB’s 2. Black Annis – Solas 3. Black Blade – Blue Oyster Cult 4. Black Boys On Mopeds – Sinead O’Connor 5. Black … Continue reading →

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Another contemplation of turnout

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s see where this one takes us. Last time, I made some guesses about turnout in the HISD races based on overall turnout in the city of Houston. Now I’m going to turn that around and take a shot at … Continue reading →

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Paxton wants voter ID lawsuit to be over

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I can think of one way he can make that happen. That’s not what he’s asking for, alas. The fight over the state’s embattled voter ID laws should be over, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued in a new court … Continue reading →

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No big drop in enrollment in area school districts

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Mostly good news. During the height of Hurricane Harvey, school district officials worried enrollments would plummet as thousands of families fled Houston for Dallas, Austin and other drier regions. While many families lost their homes, it seems most relocated within … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: HCC

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron wraps up their endorsements for November. HCCS, Trustee, District IV: Carolyn Evans-Shabazz The ideal candidate for this seat would be someone with a bold vision for HCC who is capable of collaborating with existing board members. It would … Continue reading →

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Interview with Robert Glaser

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

One more time with HCC – it’s possible I may have more of these, but this is what I have at this time. Robert Glaser, like Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, is running for his first full term in office, after having won … Continue reading →

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Council passes dumb forced tax cut

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is where we are. City Council rejected Mayor Sylvester Turner’s proposal to leave Houston’s tax rate unchanged from last year Wednesday, instead approving a tiny rate cut to comply with the voter-imposed cap on property tax revenues. Turner had … Continue reading →

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Paxton officially appeals redistricting ruling to SCOTUS

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here we go. Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to take up an appeal of a lower court ruling that invalidated two of Texas’ congressional districts. “It’s fitting that the Supreme Court hear this case, … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of October 16

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance supports Rep. Al Green as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Jasmine Jenkins of Houstonians for Great Public Schools

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

For obvious reasons, there’s going to be a lot of focus on HISD, both in the next year as the district recovers from Harvey and tries to fend off a takeover by the Texas Education Agency, and going forward, as … Continue reading →

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Another property tax rate dustup

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I have four things to say about this: Mayor Sylvester Turner plans to ask city council on Wednesday to sidestep the voter-imposed revenue cap by approving the same property tax rate as last year. According to City Controller Chris Brown, … Continue reading →

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Abbott loses nativity lawsuit

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Merry secular Christmas! A federal judge ruled against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision two years ago to remove a mock Nativity display from the Texas Capitol that advocated the separation and church state. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled late … Continue reading →

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Interview with Carolyn Evans-Shabazz

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

HCC Trustee races never get the attention they deserve. That’s on me too, as I could spend more time with them, but it’s a systemic problem as much as anything. What I can do about it right now is bring … Continue reading →

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Amazon and Houston

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Does our city have a shot at landing Amazon’s HQ2? Eh, maybe. Bringing Amazon to Houston almost certainly will be a heavy lift. The pursuit of the company that revolutionized the retail industry has highlighted both the potential and shortcomings … Continue reading →

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Congressional candidates everywhere

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Democrats are as optimistic as they’ve ever been about candidate recruitment. “I’ve been recruiting candidates in Texas for years, and I’ve never seen an environment quite like this,” said Cliff Walker, candidate recruitment director for the state Democratic Party. … Continue reading →

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More on HISD IX, and a little on HISD VII Alief ISD

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

As noted before, I did not do interviews in HISD Trustee races in districts VII and IX. In VII, I did interview now-incumbent Anne Sung and challenger John Luman last year when they were running in the special election to … Continue reading →

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Still some fretting about the bonds

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Generalized anxiety, nothing specific. Fire engines bursting into flames at a scene. Roof leaks damaging walls at city health clinics. Bike trails eroding into the bayou. Those are among the reasons Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking voters to approve $495 … Continue reading →

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Some other dude may challenge Ted Cruz in the 2018 GOP primary

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Sure, why not? A Fort Worth-based political action group that promotes the ideals of former President Ronald Reagan could back a candidate against incumbent Ted Cruz in the Republican primary for Senate. Bruce Jacobson, the executive producer of a Christian … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for October 15

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

What not to order at a chain restaurant, according to the people who work at them. It’s the end of the world as we know it, though probably not right away. The Babel Fish is coming. It’s decorative gourd season, … Continue reading →

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Stockman aide takes a plea

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

The walls are closing in. A longtime confidant and aide to former U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman pleaded guilty to Wednesday to fraud charges in a corruption scheme that also targeted the former congressman. The alleged scheme involved diverting hundreds of … Continue reading →

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The Acre

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Meet downtown’s newest park. As park spaces go, Houston’s newest urban oasis is a mere postage stamp, occupying just over an acre of privately held land, developed with private money. But in post-Harvey Houston, the value of every inch of … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: HISD VII and XI

Posted on October 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Last two. Houston ISD, Trustee, District VII: Anne Katherine Sung Anne Katherine Sung won in a runoff for this district last year after former trustee Harvin Moore resigned. Now voters are faced with a rematch between Sung and her former … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Slow Ride

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s Bonnie Raitt: That’s from her hit album Luck of the Draw and it’s a good song, because Bonnie Raitt only makes good songs. But I can’t say it’s one I was greatly familiar with. I am greatly familiar, as … Continue reading →

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Kirkland for Supreme Court

Posted on October 14, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Houston State District Court Judge Steven Kirkland has announced his candidacy for a seat on the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, making him the first openly gay candidate to run for the state’s highest civil court. Kirkland, a Democrat, is … Continue reading →

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